Developer of PlanetRent predicts that although there will be a significant surge in rental demand after the lockdown eases, tenants and landlords will continue to observe social distancing.

An online service has launched that promises to help landlords rent and manage properties without the need for face-to-face contact with tenants during the Coronavirus crisis. Called PlanetRent, its development has been fast-tracked by its backer, property management giant The Ringley Group, which has spent £2 million and four years getting the service ready.

The company claims the automated and cloud-based service will save landlords and agents time, money and hassle. It also enables tenants to be offered tenants rent reductions automatically through substitute contracts or rent addendums. PlanetRent connects agents, landlords, tenants, contractors, accountants and any site staff through their own separate portals to access the information they need, enabling them to transact from the comfort and safety of their home. For tenants, this includes a How to Rent booklet, deposit protection scheme details, as well as EPC and gas safety certificates. Contract renewals are finalised with three clicks, and the system prompts tenants to see if they want to renew, and automatically markets properties and triggers move-out checks if they choose to vacate.

Also, PlanetRent gives self-managing landlords direct access to Rightmove and Zoopla as well as the ability to easily create their own website to showcase their properties. “Our platform also enables landlords to comply with the current government guidance on Right to Rent, as tenants upload their identity documents to our portal which landlords can then check online, rather than eye balling them in person,” Mary-Anne Bowring (pictured), MD of The Ringley Group tells LandlordZONE. PlanetRent is available on a pay-as-you go basis rather than a subscription and landlords with larger portfolios pay £10 per tenancy contract while those with smaller ones pay £20.