Member Article

London startup gives a voice to renters in the City

IT professionals Tim Stöber and Ferrah Raza launched CityBusters, an online ratings platform for renters and landlords, after experiencing first-hand the difficulties facing renters in London.

The startup offers a Renters’ Guide, a one-stop-shop for renters looking to find out information such as reliable websites to find rooms, legal advice, occupancy rates as well as specific demographic information on each borough.

CityBusters aims to empower renters by allowing users to rate and comment on each flat, while landlords are also given the opportunity to participate in the discussion.

Head of PR and marketing for CityBusters, Ferrah Raza, told Bdaily about her personal experience in the London rental market and why she believes now is the time to give renters a voice, she said: “I have lived in three different flats during my one and half years in the City, and I know how hard it can be to find affordable, good quality rental space in London.

“I’ve found that often rent is not proportional to quality, and many renters find themselves agreeing to properties when they are not fully-informed.

“CityBusters offers renters an outlet to share past experience in certain flats, and even with specific landlords. As well as a creative space for renters, the website encourages landlords to take accountability.”

Ferrah and Tim wanted to create a Trip Advisor-style ratings platform for renters to read reviews of flats from previous tenants, helping them make an informed decision.

Ferrah said: “A lot of advice available for renters online is biased towards the property industry, for example many letting agents offer a legal section on their websites. CityBusters has an independent legal page called Know Your Rights. We have worked alongside legal professionals to produce an in-depth and impartial guide to the legal aspects of renting property in London.”

The startup, which is currently self-funded, is hoping to receive a funding boost to help towards the costs of marketing, Ferrah said: “We are incredibly motivated by our cause, and if we can help future renters in London then our hard work will have paid off. The biggest challenge so far has been managing the initial phases of the startup while also working full time.”

Ferrah and Tim are now working with Martin Strohmeier, a PhD student, to raise brand awareness and develop the userbase: “As is true for any startup, we are focusing our main efforts on building a strong userbase as well as continuing to develop our product to adapt to renter’s needs.”

http://citybusters.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ellen Forster .