Is anybody else finding it impossible to arrange viewings now that Openrent has removed the ability ‘request tenants phone number’.
I have properties in a high demand area with about one week period from posting ad to viewing. I can’t do the screening necessary and make the arrangements for a mutually suitable viewing time through the message app alone.
I have wasted three opendays over three weeks now with viewings for unsuitable tenants and no shows.
try this: put your phone number in an auto-reply to any query and a message asking them to phone you. It weeds out the timewasters, those who don’t read communication properly, those who can’t be bothered and those who won’t contact you because they’ve found an alternative.
FYI, I’ve never had anyone abuse the fact that they have my number and, if I did, I’d simply block them.
Are you positive they have removed option to see tenants contact details?
In have just checked on an older listing of mine and there’s still this option
On the enquiries page Click manage>>>request contact details
Do you use the pre-screening auto-reply set up to ask the key questions you want to know? I do, and only arrange viewings for those who reply with satisfactory details. For me, thats far easier than telephone calls, but appreaiate everyone is different.
@tatemono I have tried this Openrent remove the phone number.
@ Mark10 It has definatly been removed.
@Karl11 I have screening on. I get about 80 enquires per listing. Going back and forth with each tenant through messaging creates a huge volume of messages. Its much easier to deal with each enquiry once by phone.
I’ve done this for years and never had an issue. That’s unless this is a new policy since I last let a property last February.
@Daz is this another new ‘feature’ that has been introduced without any notice?
In our most recent let we did not have the need to use the ‘Request details’ option so cant comment on whether the option has been removed or not. We had over 80 enquiries and and booked about 15 viewings. The vast majority turned up. My understanding is that the potential tenant gets a text message to confirm the booking and also a text message reminder before the viewing.
I think people not turning up is not unique to OpenRent. On one evening when we were doing viewings, a local estate agent was holding an ‘appointment only open house’ (that description conflicts with itself) for a different flat in the same complex. Despite them confirming all appointments the morning before, please forgive me, but we were a little smug as we led all our viewers to our flat whilst they stood about waiting for none of theirs to turn up! They did suggest that people booking appointments and not turning up ‘was the norm’
My advice would be:-
