An outsourced national viewings service targeting online agents is introducing an online key system that will allow for simple and secure same-day key collection when a property is sold or let.

The firm, called access2view, was launched after managing director Jim Johnston saw a gap in the market.

Its new Property Key Transfer service is designed to solve how online agents get house keys to someone moving in.

The outgoing resident drops the keys at a collection point within half a mile of the property. They are given a tracking code, and can see when the keys are received.

The person moving in has to prove their ID before the process and address of collection is released once the agent is satisfied.

Johnston said: “It’s a way of managing remote property.

“It’s a combination of system, people and logistics to ensure keys are where they need to be on time.”

The firm’s “until sold” service covers the country from its base in Leicester, and uses some 500 people in various locations.

Johnston said: “Many online agents do encourage sellers and landlords to do their own viewings but I’m adamant this is a false economy.

“Many vendors want someone to handle the process for them. When they conduct the viewings themselves they unintentionally point out the issues and downside of the property. Not everyone does this but vendors are often not sales people however an agent presents it.

“We see ourselves as being the bridge to some of the final barriers for agents and vendors taking the leap online.

“Based on the data we’ve received from our leading clients’ research, it is estimated that an agent that only does ‘vendor viewings’ could see an uplift of 30% in listings by simply offering viewings.

“Some vendors simply do not want to do the viewings themselves.

“Maybe they feel vulnerable, too far from the property, have a limiting disability, not comfortable selling themselves … and the list does go on.

“We’ve also found that having an independent person at the property there is less likely to be a direct offer or pitch made by a viewer.

“It also avoids conflicts of interest when using a competitor to help you.”

He added: “Even where online agents are using their own ‘Local Property Experts’ there is still a dilution issue.

“With the leaps in growth that have been experienced in this sector, the challenge to conduct a valuation, perform every viewing, collect the marketing photography, measure the floor plans and maintain an excellent level of communication with the vendors becomes too much.

“We help because we’re more agile and keep the payroll down too.”

Viewings can be booked online, using a live calendar, and although the firm largely targets online agents, it is also used by some high street agents.

Johnston, who ran a small online property franchise at one point and says he could see for himself where the problems lay, said he was told his business would never take off.

He said: “We launched after seeing agents were increasingly dealing with remote / online property and using their competitors to conduct services for them or asking the vendor to do the work for them!

“Coming from a property background I asked fellow professionals whether it would be a good move – they all told me to do something else instead.”