By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
Lagos-based property technology outfit (RentSmallSmall) says it is committed to providing landlords with the requisite means to keep their properties in perfect condition while addressing the growing needs of their tenants through innovative technology.
Tunde Balogun
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Co-Founder of the firm, Tunde Balogun, gave the assurance on Wednesday in an interview with Stonix News.
“We are partnering with a financial institution to introduce an embedded finance credit product wherein our tenants can access funds with low-interest rates to meet up with their needs ahead of their monthly salaries,” he said.
Balogun said that the firm, which had been in existence in the past three years, was introducing the Emergency Maintenance Coverage to enable the landlords to access funds to speedily fix issues affecting their properties.
He also said the organisation was
introducing a new Tenant Dashboard to enable tenants lodge complaints and get feedback easily.
“We are using technology to keep landlords abreast of issues as they arise. We are introducing a first of its kind Landlord Dashboard that gives them insights on the state of their buildings.
“Its appreciating or depreciating value in the market place and an education of what is required to keep their properties to standard.
“Our goal is to work closely with the landlords in taking care of their properties and ensure that they remain of the highest quality.
“Similarly, we are committed to ensuring that tenants on our platform are empowered to live with peace of mind, and so are partnering with them to get the lifestyle they desire,” he said.
Balogun said that the organisation was working tirelessly to create a system where monthly rental would be the norm, and people would be able to have access to quality properties that become homes.
“It is our plan to stay leading in this area, to become the partner of choice for people desirous of quality housing. We will work with other market players that can help drive this.
“For us, it is more than just renting and staying in a RentSmallSmall property. It is about optimising the entire customer journey and experience,” he said.
The CEO said that the property firm had launched buy2let retail property investment product to drive the change in the real estate industry, adding that the new innovation would enable the firm to produce homes by working closely with developers.
Balogun said that the organisation would continue to identify with the needs of its esteemed customers and the market and position itself to meet those needs through innovative unique solutions.
He also said that the firm was working assiduously to expand its reach to other states in Nigeria and rest of Africa continent, adding that as a growth driver, it remained committed to its responsibility and delivering on the promises.
The CEO said that technology was a critical tool for driving change in the real estate sector, noting, however, that the industry has witnessed a growth of property technology companies to address the gaps and meet the customers needs.
Speaking on the achievements of the RentSmallSmall firm, Balogun said that had been able to introduce new monthly rental options for tenants and landlords.
“In the last three years, RentSmallSmall has proven that monthly rent payment is possible in Nigeria, and we did it against all odds. Today, it’s on record that we have never paid any landlord one year rent upfront.
“We are challenging the status quo by eliminating discrimination against people because of their gender, tribe or religion.
“Also ensuring that egregious fees such as agency, legal and inspection fees are gone, so that customers rent their houses without incurring additional costs such as those,” he said
The CEO ascribed the successes of the company to the resilience and commitment to understanding problems and addressing them as well as the landlords and tenants disposition to the solutions arrived at.
He, however, lamented that the
housing market was filled with poorly built properties which, according to him, took its toll on property managers who spent bulk of their time fixing issues.
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