In a significant advancement within the real estate sector, At Home Co., Ltd., headquartered in Ota City, Tokyo, has recently announced its collaboration with Next Communications Co., Ltd., based in Osaka. This partnership enhances the ‘Smart Application’ system, which enables online rental applications for prospective tenants. With this new integration, applicants can now benefit from streamlined utility services including electricity, gas, water, and internet, greatly improving the overall process of moving into a new rental property.
Not only does this collaboration simplify utility setup for applicants, but it also allows real estate companies to boost customer satisfaction. Previously, tenants faced a cumbersome process consisting of filling out multiple application forms for utilities alongside the rental application itself. With the ‘Smart Application’, the information such as name, address, workplace, and emergency contacts entered by the tenant can now be rapidly connected to various service providers, including rent guarantee companies, short-term insurance companies, utility service firms, and moving companies. This integration not only reduces the hassle of repetitive paperwork but also ensures a more efficient transition to living in their new homes.
The Need for Improvement
The rental application process often involves numerous stakeholders, including the tenant, real estate management companies, rental guarantee services, and various utility service providers. Each of these entities has faced challenges that have made the process inefficient. For instance, real estate management and brokerage firms must manually transfer tenant application data into their proprietary systems, leading to time-consuming input tasks. On the other hand, applicants are overwhelmed by the need to fill out different forms for various utilities in addition to the rental application, leading to repetitive and time-consuming processes. Furthermore, companies involved in utility services and moving logistics often have to deal with incomplete application information, resulting in further delays during the submission process.
To mitigate these issues, At Home is committed to expanding its network of partnered service providers. By reinforcing interlinkages among different services, the company aims to further digitalize the entire rental application procedure and greatly improve customer success.
About the 'Smart Application'
The ‘Smart Application’ service offered by At Home facilitates the completion of rental applications via a dedicated online form, drastically improving efficiency when it comes to document management. Real estate companies have reported significant operational improvements and increased convenience due to the paperless nature of this service. The seamless integration with various utility companies enhances the tenant experience, allowing them to focus on other aspects of moving.
Smart Solution by At Home
At Home's technology-driven ‘Smart Solution’ initiative aims to optimize real estate operations, allowing companies to focus on core business activities such as customer service. This comprehensive support extends from property inquiries to viewings, applications, important disclosures, and contracts, facilitating a smarter daily workflow for real estate professionals.
With over 61,000 affiliated member stores across the country, At Home continues to prioritize the technological enhancement, efficiency, and productivity of the real estate industry, developing and providing innovative products and services that significantly contribute to industry vitality, IT modernization, and digital transformation (DX).
As they move forward, At Home is poised to make significant strides in facilitating the journey of consumers finding their ideal homes and ensuring that all stakeholders in the rental process benefit from a simplified and efficient model.