A new online property management tool has been launched, with the specific message that it will save landlords from having to use letting agents.
The tool, www.letdesk.com, is described as removing “the need for landlords to pay expensive property management fees to lettings agencies by allowing tenants to request repairs at any time through an online account”.
The free tool alerts landlords via text or email when a tenant reports a problem.
It then sources quotes from local tradespeople, and allows landlords to review and approve the work to be carried out at the touch of a button.
Once the job is approved, Letdesk triggers a notification to the tradesperson.
Landlords can create a free Letdesk account and invite the tenants to join.
All online interactions between the tenant, landlord and tradesman are recorded in the Letdesk system, which integrates with text messaging or email services to suit their individual preferences.
The system also allows for payments to be made and key documents to be stored online, as well as prompting landlords with useful safety inspection reminders, such as gas safety checks.
Founder Alex Dixon said: “For landlords, Letdesk offers peace of mind without the fixed fees that can come with traditional management services provided by high street lettings agencies.”
Letdesk is based in Walsall and was formerly HomeServe for Landlords.
A spokesperson told EYE that while the service is currently free, that could change at some point in the future.
Yes because it keeps them up to date on all legislative changes and implements the necessary works required under new regulations, produces legally binding TAs, inventories, inspects properties and produces reports, deals with disputes over deposits, acts as a ‘buffer’ between LL and tenant when things get heated, carrys out viewings, vets tenants, chases rent arrears and deals with any court cases, a representative goes out to site if a face to face visit is required with LL or tenant (because we all know some maintenance or issues are best done this way)…. Oh no, no wait, that’s what you have an agent for… Doh! Silly me, I ways forget that when companies claim they ‘replace agents’ who charge ‘big fees’ they have throughly thought that claim through!!
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A godsend, finally a piece of tech that allows scrimper landlords to avoid paying out about 11p an hour to have a fully managed 24/365 team of experts looking after their properties
Finally landlords can deal with a single set of carefully selected trades people without anyone getting competitive quotes or having anyone pick up the pieces when a fix or repair isn’t up to the tenants exacting standards.
There are very good reasons why intelligent landlords select and use professional agents, there are very good reasons why 50 or so tech service suppliers have resisted this lucrative service opportunity for over 20 years, but let’s not worry about that, Good luck!
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Brilliant. A service that provides about 1% of what a landlord actually needs – at no cost. I wish I had thought of that!!
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Frightening really, here is a company that’s not interested in best advice for landlords but a way to slide into the industry to make money for its self using the time honoured agent bashing. It also makes me wonder if they actually have any idea what is involved in lettings management.
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As for free, who on earth starts a business and not get paid!
Wasn’t HomeServe fined £30.6m by the FCA or was that another company?
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It was Homeserve. Homeserve for Landlords/Letdesk was/is connected to them
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I thought so, has anyone seen the negative customer reviews. Doesn’t look like it has changed its ways with customer service?
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Homeserve! That explains it. Excessively overpriced **** workmanship Nationwide. Like to get work from insurance companies and other large providers – companies who will rarely question them and just keep handing over the money. So, this is their latest “trick”….. I suspect any landlord naive enough to sign up is in for a shock when the repair bills start coming in.
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Woops! It wasn’t a very naughty word, just the one derived from the well-known plumber, Mr Thomas Crapper.
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