Online lettings agency with subscription service wins £1.3m funding

PropTech platform MakeUrMove, which launched back in 2008 as the first online lettings agency, has secured a £1.3m funding package from shareholders.

“We are dedicated to the creation of innovative solutions in the private rental sector with technology at its core and our new features in development are key for helping us to reach our ambitious growth targets” explains managing director Alexandra Morris.

“While the coronavirus pandemic forced much of the housing industry to close earlier this year, thanks to our flexibility and cloud-based technology, we continue to adapt to ensure we can keep supporting our landlords and help them maintain relationships with their tenants” she claims.

The agency - which won the Best Online Letting Agent award at The ESTAS 2020 - last year launched a subscription service called The Good Landlord.

Landlords pay a monthly fee to receive Rightmove and Zoopla advertising, tenant referencing, rent collection, legal eviction services, property licence checking, as well as documents and renewals.

The monthly subscription will also offer the option of a number of bolt ons, including guaranteed rent for up to six months in the case of a tenant failing to pay and annual gas safety certificates - but this comes at an additional cost. 

The subscription model is offered alongside a basic package, which includes advertising and one downloadable tenancy agreement.  There is also a more standard package offered for a one-off fee which includes tenancy documents and deposit lodging, rent collection for 12 months and advertising with the major property portals.

A statement from the agency says: “Plans in the pipeline will focus on both landlord and tenant solutions as the company recognises the importance of strengthening these relationships and building tools to support all stakeholders. 

“The market as a whole has been poisoned by too many divisive voices and is in desperate need of a coherent solution which does more than what is currently out there. 

“Renting and letting should not be difficult but it should be fair for everyone involved, good tenants and landlords should be celebrated and supported and MakeUrMove is on a mission to do just that.”