tlyfe App hits nearly 100,000 users, now tlyfePRO for letting agents scales
As we reach the end of Q4 and a New Year approaches, I caught up with Adam Pigott, CEO and co-founder of tlyfe the tenant cycle App (Openbrix) to find out the final scores on the doors and what news he had. Knowing that he and the team have now presented to hundreds and hundreds of letting agents in person across the country in 2024 I knew he would be in high spirits and have quit a lot to say.
Adam Pigott, ‘Well, we have almost reached 100k of new tenant customers who have downloaded and are using the tlyfe App. Which now makes the UK’s largest single source platform, a real win for the tenants and of course for letting agents too.’
‘When we first started out the core idea of tlyfe, which in case anyone does not know stands for tenancy lifecycle, was to nurture, serve and elevate the position of anyone who is or wants to be a tenant in the UK.’
‘It was all about getting tenants ‘Rent Ready’ to fast track them to the front of the queue with our unique pre-qualification feature. And help them build a positive credit history and use their rental payments to help boost their credit score. Knowing it was important that they could keep all their documents together we added that feature, and of course the jewel of the service was for tenants to be able to safely ‘share’ all these documents with a letting agent or landlord instantly.’
‘Tenants can also view and their TDS-protected deposit, and we added the feature of an information hub that they could use at any time, to support them and give guidance.’
‘All of what I have just said sounds simple but it took literally years of development and refinement to get to where we are today, and in the end there were three core components we needed to put together, ID Verification, Right-to-Rent and Affordability.’
‘On ID verification, we built the App so a tenant can both verify their ID and share it securely with an Agent or Landlord. Once a tenant has their ID verified they can share it as many times as they like, it gives them complete control.’
‘Everyone knows that you are required by law to prove your ‘right-to-rent’ in England. Using our quick and easy to follow process tenants can validate this at the click of a button, ideal for overseas Tenants.’ (Pictured – Adam Pigott CEO Openbrix/tlyfe)
‘Regarding affordability, it was important that a tenant understands how much rent they can afford. To give them the best chance of securing their next rental property. Which is where our r Pre-Qualification tool to become a ‘Rent Ready’ Tenant came in. Once they do this they can share the results with letting agents to secure priority viewings.’
Roome analysis shows majority of Universities may not cover running costs
Owen Redman, Co-founder of Roome shares his thoughts on the plight of Universities and ways they can drive revenue and ensure student housing is a better experience for all stakeholders.
Owen comments, ‘A recent article in the daily National newspaper The Times paints a stark picture of the challenges facing universities in England. With 72% of institutions predicted to operate in deficit by the next academic year and net income projected to plummet by £3.5 billion, the stakes have never been higher. This is a wake-up call, not just for universities but for everyone in the education ecosystem—including those of us innovating in the student housing and support sector.’
‘The crux of the issue is clear, rising costs, such as the hike in national insurance contributions, are outpacing modest increases in tuition fees. Universities, particularly smaller and specialist institutions, are left vulnerable, with many facing liquidity crises and potential closures or mergers’.
The Hidden Housing Crisis ‘While much of the conversation centres on institutional finances, let’s not forget the direct impact on students. Housing represents a critical, yet often under-discussed, pressure point in this equation. Here’s how the housing landscape intersects with university sustainability:
Student Dropouts Linked to Housing Struggles ‘Poor housing experiences—whether due to incompatible housemates, financial pressures, or substandard living conditions—directly contribute to the 6.2% dropout rate seen across UK universities. Each dropout represents lost tuition revenue, decreased student satisfaction scores, and a blow to a university’s reputation.’
International Recruitment Hurdles ‘The drop in international student applications, highlighted by a 40% decline from key regions like Nigeria and Bangladesh, compounds the problem. Housing is a pivotal factor for international students, who often lack the ability to vet accommodations in person.’
Universities’ Limited Off-Campus Support ‘With 80% of student life taking place off-campus, universities are ill-equipped to support students beyond their own walls. This creates a significant gap, where students are left to navigate a fragmented and competitive rental market.’
Tangible Solutions and the Role of Proptech in Higher Education’s Resilience ‘This is where platforms like Roome become essential. At Roome, we aim to tackle these housing-related challenges head-on, with a dual focus on improving the student experience and supporting universities in bolstering retention and satisfaction scores.’ We focus on:
Housemate Matching and Mental Well-being ‘Finding compatible housemates is critical for a positive student housing experience. Through Roome’s AI-driven compatibility algorithms, students are paired based on lifestyle preferences, study habits, and interests. For instance, a first-year psychology student at Surrey used Roome to find housemates who shared her passion for cooking and quiet study evenings. This led to a harmonious living environment that greatly reduced her stress and boosted her academic focus.’
TM Group wins top place against topflight competitors
TM Group, a leading property search and conveyancing data specialist, has been named Search Provider of the Year at the LEAP Modern Law Conveyancing Awards 2024, held on November 21 in Liverpool.
This accolade marks TM Group’s third major award in 2024, following wins for the Supporting the Industry Award at the British Conveyancing Awards 2024 and Supplier of the Year for Lawtech Software Group at the British Legal Technology Awards 2024, recognizing its industry-leading AML and client onboarding solutions.
Ahead of the Pack The Search Provider of the Year award celebrates exceptional customer service, innovation, IT security, and understanding of client needs—areas where TM Group excels by consistently raising the bar for the conveyancing industry.
Competing against top finalists such as InfoTrack, Searchflow, and The Search Bureau, TM Group re-enforced its position as the UK’s leading conveyancing data specialist.
Key highlights that impressed the Judges
‘Exceptional Customer Service, Regional Focus: A restructured Client Services team delivers personalised, localised support. Innovative Roles: Case Progressors ensure smooth management of complex cases. Proven Success: High customer satisfaction and consistently strong Net Promoter Scores (NPS).
Deep Understanding of Customer Needs, Tailored Solutions: With over 800 search options and real-time data, TM Group empowers legal and property professionals to meet today’s complex property transaction challenges. Proactive Engagement: Frequent client consultations ensure challenges are anticipated and resolved.
Commitment to Resolving Issues. Refined Processes: Enhanced methodologies for quick and effective issue resolution. Training Excellence: Comprehensive development for staff and clients enhances service quality. Robust IT Security. Gold Standard Certification: ISO 27001:2013 certification underscores TM Group’s commitment to safeguarding client data.
Advanced Cybersecurity: Features like Single Sign-On (SSO) provide clients with enhanced security and ease of use. Driving Innovation in Conveyancing.’
Jonathan Stebbings, (Pictured above) Chief Commercial Officer at TM Group, expressed his pride in receiving the award, “Winning the Search Provider of the Year award reflects the dedication and innovation of everyone at TM Group. We’re committed to delivering exceptional service and cutting-edge solutions to support legal and property professionals in an increasingly complex landscape. This recognition inspires us to continue transforming property transactions and raising industry standards for the future.
Andrew Stanton Founder & Editor of 'PROPTECH-X' where his insights, connections, analysis and commentary on proptech and real estate are based on writing 1.3M words annually. Plus meeting 1,000 Proptech founders, critiquing 400 decks and having had 130 clients as CEO of 'PROPTECH-PR', a consultancy for Proptech founders seeking growth and exit strategies. He also acts as an advisory for major global real estate companies on sales, acquisitions, market positioning & operations. With 100K followers & readers, he is the 'Proptech Realestate Influencer.'
