How You Should Rent Your Next Apartment

Revolutionizing Apartment Leasing: A Vision for Streamlined, User-Friendly Processes

Updated 12/12/23

While various industries rapidly adapt to simplify consumer access to the latest technology for purchasing their products, apartment companies have lagged behind in making the search for one's next residence equally effortless. The process of leasing an apartment should not be as challenging as it is today. Ideally, there ought to be a centralized system where individuals can effortlessly discover and secure their new apartments without the need to navigate through numerous websites. Renting a new apartment should be as seamless as booking a flight.

While there are numerous websites dedicated to helping individuals find new apartments, most of these platforms do not offer the convenience of signing the lease directly on their sites. Typically, individuals are required to contact the apartment leasing office to schedule a viewing and sign the lease. Alternatively, they may need to navigate to the apartment's website for the leasing process. These additional steps are unnecessary and should be streamlined to save time and simplify the relocation process for individuals moving from one area to another.

There's no inherent reason why leasing a new apartment cannot be as straightforward as booking a hotel room. The technology is readily available, yet many apartments complexes desire control over the selection of residents in their properties. Their reluctance to permit third-party companies to handle the leasing process has a widespread impact, hindering the smooth relocation of millions of people across the country.

Furthermore, apartment companies are hesitant to forgo the revenue generated from application fees. These fees vary from one apartment to another and are typically non-refundable, whether the applicant is approved or declined, chooses to move in, or decides to opt out.

The time has come for apartment companies to collaborate with third-party platforms, enabling individuals to conveniently sign their leases on these websites. The current process imposes unnecessary hurdles for people searching for their next apartment. Similar to how airlines and hotels leverage third-party sellers, apartment leasing should also embrace third-party websites, streamlining the housing search and acquisition process for individuals within a short period.