After going through more than a year in the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot has changed in our daily activities, our way of life, how we prioritize our health, and everything we need to do to survive the new normal. Changes were necessary to ensure that we follow the various health protocols for preventing the transmission of the virus.
Social distancing has been one of the infamous health protocols that we had to apply. Many of the pre-pandemic activities was harder to do because most of them involved gathering and interacting face to face with one another.
Technology played a valuable part in helping us execute the changes needed for us to continue operating our lives without compromising anyone’s health.
In the rental housing industry, this gave rise to contactless rentals. Transactions and practices that were usually done in person are now being performed virtually and remotely through technological tools. Clients have also adjusted to this new approach and have appreciated the value it can bring to their lives.
Even as we are reopening the economy now that vaccination has begun, consumers are now careful with their health and enjoy the convenience of contactless transactions.
Most businesses in various industries have responded to this drastic change in consumer preference and behavior by going digital and making their operations completely contactless. There is no reason for players in the rental housing industry not to keep up.
Why Contactless Rentals is the Future?
65% of renters are Gen-Z and millennials – digital natives who greatly rely on technology to make their life easier. They no longer appreciate the value of traditional or non-digital practices. They want quick, easy, and convenient. Any option that only requires them to push a few buttons on their gadgets at the comfort of their home is the option they would take.
Ways to stay Contactless
Digital listings
What used to be a drive around different neighborhoods to check out available rentals has become simple clicks and scrolls in online property listing platforms.
It’s easy for home hunters because by just clicking a listing, they can see photos of the property, rental price, floor area, number of rooms, amenities, etc.
Rental agents must use online listing platforms like Padleads where they can create detailed property listings. Since the platform allows you to syndicate the listing to other high-traffic websites, it becomes more visible to more home hunters.
Virtual tours
Showing off the property in the past was done through walkthroughs and open houses. These days, conducting home tours has gone a digital route. Recorded or real-time video tours and 3D images are the tools used by rental agents in the new normal to tour potential tenants.
Potential tenants no longer have to drive to one property after another. Virtual tours can show a 360-degree view of a property, including living rooms, bedrooms, kitchen, furniture, appliances, and even the measurements and dimensions.
It also requires less work from rental agents because they no longer have to prepare snacks and refreshments, print out flyers, or sanitize the space after each walkthrough. It also saves time for traveling to the property. With more time in your hands, you can tour more clients each day.
Online Application and Screening
Electronic channels of communication such as email or live chat have also made tenant applications easier. Applicants can email rental agents their questions, application forms, and other documents needed for the screening process.
Video conferencing applications have also allowed rental agents to interview tenants without any worries of spreading COVID-19. Continuing this practice even after the pandemic will make the application and screening process more efficient for both the tenants and agents.
Electronic payments
The virus can land in inanimate objects. When touched by a person and rubs his face with his hands, he could get infected. Exchanging monetary bills carry that risk.
Thankfully, online payment systems are available to anyone who has an electronic device. Through online payment, transferring money from one person’s account to another can be done in seconds. Not only is it fast and easy, there is no touching of physical bills involved. Just make sure you have digital receipts for every transaction.