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We replaced rental brokers with software and filled 200 vacant apartments

caretaker.com

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Re: We replaced rental brokers with software and filled 200 vacant apartments

#171

Post by __sy__ »

jbrun wrote: post #165
__sy__ wrote: post #37

We started Seam (YC S20) a year ago to take on the problem of programmatic access to physical spaces (apartments, single-family homes, commercial buildings...etc). Basically one API that can open any door (smart locks, elevators, commercial buildings...etc). We're still in private beta but feel free to reach out if you're struggling with programmatic access. tbh, it's baffling that in 2021, this problem is still so d…

Breather tried to do that out of Montreal and went bankrupt this year, not sure how much overlap there is with your system.

Yes I spoke to Julien (their founder) back when we started the company. Nice guys. He gave us a lot of insightful tips and frankly wished we would have existed back when they got started. Their business legitimately got killed by covid.

ps: your personal site is really interesting.

Re: We replaced rental brokers with software and filled 200 vacant apartments

#172

Post by sudopluto »

boringg wrote: post #159

Caretaker: The redfin of brokers. Take all the value for themselves freeze out the brokers (who provide a service but are universally disdained). Ride that wave of positive news for a couples years. Eventually everyone will hate the fraction of the market Caretaker has as they raise prices to make investors happy and people realize there are problems. It's like the same idea of Uber and Lyft. Less human involvement =…

as a student in boston where brokers take 1 month rent for doing exactly *nothing*, i welcome the idea of automating away these leaches.

edit: fb marketplace might get the brokers first, most of my friends found their places via landlords posting there

Re: We replaced rental brokers with software and filled 200 vacant apartments

#173

Post by EricE »

eni9889 wrote: post #95
__sy__ wrote: post #37

We started Seam (YC S20) a year ago to take on the problem of programmatic access to physical spaces (apartments, single-family homes, commercial buildings...etc). Basically one API that can open any door (smart locks, elevators, commercial buildings...etc). We're still in private beta but feel free to reach out if you're struggling with programmatic access. tbh, it's baffling that in 2021, this problem is still so d…

How exactly do you guys connect to the locks?

Ironically the company that produces the lockboxes used in the story for this item also has door locks that use the same one time code mechanism (similar to Google Auth). No network connectivity required. I was never interested in putting a lock that had any kind of Internet requirement, but now I'm very interested in this one.

Their site if you didn't pick it up from the original article: https://www.igloohome.co/en-us/

Re: We replaced rental brokers with software and filled 200 vacant apartments

#175

Post by __sy__ »

EricE wrote: post #170
benmanns wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you have a recommendation on a quality smart lock for home use? Some ideal mix of security, style, open/compatible software.

The same company that provided the lockboxes from the original article has smart locks that use the same rotating one time code mechanism - and the locks don't require internet connectivity. A huge plus! https://www.igloohome.co/en-us/ I have had zero interest in using other smart locks - especially ones that require network connectivity of any sort, but this might be one that would be worth considering.

> I have had zero interest in using other smart locks - especially ones that require network connectivity of any sort

I think I used to agree with that sentiment, but then I realized that I can remotely control stuff for things like grocery deliveries (which as you point out Igloo can do while technically offline!). To be clear though, just because igloohome's lock is technically offline, it does not mean it's necessarily secure if there is a hole in their API auth.

Re: We replaced rental brokers with software and filled 200 vacant apartments

#176

Post by e1g »

slownews45 wrote: post #160
e1g wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The landlord is under no obligation to accept anyone this service finds, so this startup guarantees an outcome they cannot control. It might be a way to build awareness and goodwill, but they are burning VC capital to offer a service that is either fundamentally unsustainable or mispriced.

In San Francisco at least I'm not sure this is a true statement at ALL. San Francisco law is that tenants may sublet / add roommates etc. Landlord has 14 days to object. Objection has to be for a good reason. At least that's how I've always understood it. Can you cite the rule in San Francisco that landlords are under no obligation to allow subletting? https://sfrb.org/topic-no-151-subletting-and-replacement-roo... .

The OP is talking about passing over the lease and the entire unit. Your own link says that is prohibited even in SF.

> nothing in the Rent Ordinance allows a tenant to sublet or assign the entire unit to a new tenant in violation of a lease

Re: We replaced rental brokers with software and filled 200 vacant apartments

#177

Post by EricE »

dangerwill wrote: post #80
__sy__ wrote: post #37

We started Seam (YC S20) a year ago to take on the problem of programmatic access to physical spaces (apartments, single-family homes, commercial buildings...etc). Basically one API that can open any door (smart locks, elevators, commercial buildings...etc). We're still in private beta but feel free to reach out if you're struggling with programmatic access. tbh, it's baffling that in 2021, this problem is still so d…

Speaking of logistical headaches, what happens with your system when the power goes out in a building?

If you have a smart lock that doesn't require Internet connectivity then power or network availability is not an issue. From the OP: https://www.igloohome.co/en-us/

It's the most innovative approach to smart locks I have ever seen and for this one nugget along I'm very grateful for the link to the original story!

Re: We replaced rental brokers with software and filled 200 vacant apartments

#178

Post by boringg »

sudopluto wrote: post #172
boringg wrote: post #159

Caretaker: The redfin of brokers. Take all the value for themselves freeze out the brokers (who provide a service but are universally disdained). Ride that wave of positive news for a couples years. Eventually everyone will hate the fraction of the market Caretaker has as they raise prices to make investors happy and people realize there are problems. It's like the same idea of Uber and Lyft. Less human involvement =…

as a student in boston where brokers take 1 month rent for doing exactly *nothing*, i welcome the idea of automating away these leaches. edit: fb marketplace might get the brokers first, most of my friends found their places via landlords posting there

Your comments are the perfect example of the short term positive news wave they can generate. Thank you for validating.

Re: We replaced rental brokers with software and filled 200 vacant apartments

#179

Post by khuey »

matsemann wrote: post #168
e1g wrote: post #129

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The landlord is under no obligation to accept anyone this service finds, so this startup guarantees an outcome they cannot control. It might be a way to build awareness and goodwill, but they are burning VC capital to offer a service that is either fundamentally unsustainable or mispriced.

Aren't people obliged to minimize their own and the other part's loss in contracts in the US? In my country, me moving out and saying I won't continue to pay, while the contract end date is still far in the future would of course be a breach of the contract. But that doesn't mean the landlord then can let the house sit empty for the rest of the contract time and force me to cover their loss. Landlord would instead ha…

Yes, that's right. The landlord is required to seek a new tenant.

Re: We replaced rental brokers with software and filled 200 vacant apartments

#180

Post by nerdponx »

boringg wrote: post #178
sudopluto wrote: post #172

Earlier quoted context omitted.

as a student in boston where brokers take 1 month rent for doing exactly *nothing*, i welcome the idea of automating away these leaches. edit: fb marketplace might get the brokers first, most of my friends found their places via landlords posting there

Your comments are the perfect example of the short term positive news wave they can generate. Thank you for validating.

Not all brokers provide value to the renter. In "hot" markets like New York, a lot of the time they don't.

They render a lot of value to the landlord, however. Taking nice photos, dealing with unqualified applicants, showing the property, etc.

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