A crowdfunding company that lets members of the public invest in residential companies at the click of a button has appointed a new chief operating officer.

Jalin Somaiya, pictured, joins Property Partner from Google, where he has had senior roles in operations, strategy and marketing.

Property Partner describes itself as a financial technology company that enables retail investors to buy shares in individual residential properties through crowdfunding.

Investors can put in as much or as little as they like. They receive a monthly rental income – and benefit from capital growth – in direct proportion to their ownership of each property.

Investors can exit their shares at market value five years in, or offer to sell their shares at any time on Property Partner’s secondary exchange. Property Partner is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In September, Property Partner announced a £1.25m seed funding round led by Octopus Ventures, which was an early backer of Zoopla.

Somaiya commented: “Residential property is attractive for its income and capital growth. But being a landlord is more like running a business than making a simple investment.

“The asset class is begging for a fresh perspective.

“Property Partner’s vision – to make residential property as easy to invest in as company stocks – is both inspired and inspiring.

“It’s a profoundly democratic vision, like Google’s.”