You would possibly wanna assume twice earlier than utilizing proptech platforms like 2Apply and Cosy to use for a house. 

New analysis from CHOICE has revealed that over 40% of renters have been pressured to make use of these third-party platforms, which may result in information breaches, additional prices, and exclusion from housing.

CHOICE client information advocate Kate Bower says discovering a house as a renter is already an extremely tough and draining expertise. 

“Our analysis discovered RentTech platforms are making the most of folks’s primary want for a roof over their heads to gather extreme information and cost unfair charges,” she mentioned

“Individuals who hire deserve a assure that their private information is secure and isn’t getting used to use or hurt them. Sadly, our analysis discovered that renters are seldom granted this assurance.”

The CHOICE report uncovered 4 main areas of concern related to rental tech.

Firstly, 41% of renters mentioned the felt pressured by an agent or landlord to make use of a third-party service when making use of for a house, in response to Bowers.

“Renters are sometimes given no choice however to make use of RentTech to use for properties, pay hire, or request repairs,” she mentioned.

“Our analysis discovered two in 5 individuals who hire had been pressured by an agent or landlord to make use of a third-party service to use for a house.”

Secondly, 60% of these folks had been uncomfortable with the quantity and sort of personal info requested of their rental utility. That features delicate information akin to identification paperwork, employer and tenancy references, and proof of revenue.

What occurs to that information and whether or not it’s monetised and onsold is unclear, alongside ongoing issues round hacking and information breaches.

The third situation is that third-party rental platforms are costing tenants more cash simply to search out someplace to stay.

Bower mentioned 1 / 4 of renters within the survey had been made to pay for a tenancy examine.

“Third-party rental platforms are for-profit companies which frequently power or strain tenants to pay extra charges, together with charges to pay hire, penalties for failed funds, and even the prices of their very own background checks,” she mentioned.

In the meantime, automated decision-making techniques have gotten an more and more widespread a part of rental utility techniques, however the evaluation standards are unknown and there are fears round algorithm-led discrimination, in response to Bower.

“Cosy, for instance, produces a “Match Rating” for rental candidates which makes use of the non-public info submitted by a renter to point their suitability for explicit properties,” she mentioned.

“A sore lack of regulation on this market means these automated decision-making techniques may enhance obstacles and discrimination for renters, doubtlessly excluding some folks from housing.”

CHOICE is asking for pressing reforms to make sure renters are protected against the dangers created by rental applied sciences. 

Bower mentioned they’ve 4 key reform areas for the federal and state governments: updates to the Privateness Act to guard customers. a federal inquiry into automated decision-making, legislating an economy-wide ban on unfair buying and selling practices, and modernising state and territory residential tenancies acts to sort out any potential harms from the usage of rental tech. 

“As the danger of knowledge misuse and information breaches continues to develop, so too does the danger to customers,” she mentioned.

“The federal government must act shortly and strengthen Australia’s privateness legal guidelines to make sure they’re fit-for-purpose and shield customers successfully,”