Contactless solution for rental viewings

Monday 4 May 2020

Rental viewings are once again possible but in a post-lockdown world they have to be run very differently - and a new property tech solution could be the answer.

By The Landlord

Now that the Covid-19 prompted lockdown is coming to an end, the property sector is kicking back into action.

But under alert levels three and two there are tough new requirements for landlords and property managers running rental viewings.

It’s not possible to hold open viewings, instead only two private viewings can be held per day and applicants have to be pre-qualified before being shown the property.

Additionally, all attendees’ details must be registered pre-viewing to assist with contact tracing and the entire process, right up to finalising the tenancy agreement, must be contactless.

For the sector to successfully and safety navigate this process, the adoption of new technologies looks set to be the best way forward.

And that’s why Pickmee, a 100% Kiwi-owned property tech solution which aims to streamline the tenancy process, should be of interest to landlords.

Pickmee co-founder Kelvin Chandran says they believe their digital platform will be extremely helpful to landlords and property managers trying to rent out properties during these challenging times. 

With viewings limited to two per day pre-qualifying tenants is vital so that only top applicants are shown the property, he says.

“Pickmee prompts tenants applying for a property to use a web link which guides them to complete their tenant profile and provide background and credit check information and references up front.

“This allows landlords to vet applicants before inviting the best potential tenants to a private viewing.”

The pre-registering of all viewing attendees – and their contact details - also ensures that landlords and property managers are easily able to contact trace if required in the future.

“Plus, as the entire letting process can now be managed online, we’re helping to keep tenants, property managers and landlords safe by eliminating paperwork and making the process from application to tenancy agreement contactless.”

Chandran says that social distancing and making e-commerce contactless has been much discussed, and this change is also required in real estate with the entire process becoming digital.

“Pickmee makes this transformation easy by making the entire process from application to signing tenancy agreements entirely digital and contactless.

“This makes the process frictionless and reduces any health and safety risks of handling paper application forms involved, identity documents or contracts.”

Right now, it’s all about getting a prop-tech solution into the hands of those on the frontline of the rental industry, Chandran adds.

“That’s why we are offering our services at no cost while New Zealand is at alert levels three and two, so that it’s possible to have a contactless approach throughout the entire rental process.”

It is possible to find out more about Pickmee here. 

Comments from our readers

On 5 May 2020 at 12:42 pm Gutz said:
Hi I am a landlord with 8 rentals and I would like to comment on your article on contactless tenacy application. Whilst I understand there is a changing landscape due to CV19 it seems to me that these systems that are coming out of the woodwork lately are just opportunistic businesses taking advantage of the situation (and nothing wrong with that) but I think some perspective needs to be added to this argument. Taking property rental to a fully online platform using "saftey " as an argument is no more than scare mongering, you get more contact going to the supermarket than viewing or showing a property and it can be managed safely at the property, and the problem I see happening is two fold, firstly two viewings a day greatly restricts the amount of people that can view the property and if you are to go through a process of application prior to the tenant seeing the property you may pay for a lot credit checks etc and not rent the place as upon viewing they may not wish to take the property. The other thing for me is getting a personal vibe from a tenant. Based on this systen (as stated in your blurb) only "the best tenants" get to view the property. This means that any one with perhaps a minor credit glitch probably wont get past the first hurdle. I recently rented one of my properties to a young couple who were having trouble getting a property due to a past credit issue which they told me about. After a face to face discussion I decided to rent the property to them just based on their being upfront with issues. They have been fantastic tenants and have ensured their rent is paid on time. These people would not have got a look in in an on line world. I think moving forward while there s no doubt this is a changing world, There is no need for things to go to the extreme in respect to personal contact if it can work in a supermarket it can work showing a flat
On 5 May 2020 at 2:00 pm Splendens said:
Totally agree with the comment above. I am in a similar situation with 10 rentals and the most important part of the viewing process for us, is the face to face meeting and the impression the prospective tenant makes. We haven't picked a bad tenant in many years and often don't bother with credit checks...good people seem to be good at paying their rent as well. Currently there is a glut of good tenants making it easier, as opposed to 15-20 years ago. I see no need for only 2 viewings per day, as we have always spaced the viewing parties out 30 mins apart, so we can have a conversation with them, as they view the property to gain a decent impression of the people concerned. With social distancing, there should be no issues and the process should be as safe or safer than the supermarket. At level 2 it will be easier again.
On 5 May 2020 at 2:08 pm Propjourno said:
Just to clarify - under alert levels three and two, Government guidelines (MBIE, Tenancy Services) specify that only two rental viewings a day are allowed.
On 5 May 2020 at 4:03 pm rcorlett said:
Hi, I also totally agree with both the above, face to face meeting is king. It is more dangerous going to the supermarket or going around the walkway. Some of these things are being taken too far altogether.
On 5 May 2020 at 4:51 pm WellyLL said:
The article is slightly incorrect according to what I have read the two viewings per day rule applies only if the property is presently tenanted so the existing tenant does not have to leave home more than twice a day for the viewings to take place. An unoccupied property can have as many separate viewings as time in a day allows.

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