Lettey — a new, mobile-based residential leasing marketplace for renters, brokers and landlords that for the first time, leverages the power of social media and peer-to-peer feedback to help users find an apartment to rent or to sublet— announced that its app is now available to download for iOS and Android.
Lettey simplifies the rental process by applying social proof to the decision-making process, empowering users to make better decisions based on direct feedback from their friends and family while optimizing their search. After connecting their Facebook and/or contacts to the platform, users can see which neighborhoods their connections live in via an intuitive, filterable map; search thousands of listings across New York City; review their peers’ ratings and then pick an apartment based on their preferences. Lettey is the first platform to apply social proof and peer-to-peer feedback as tools to the home search process, its founders said.
“Lettey offers a new approach to renting an apartment that simply hasn’t existed before in the rental space. By tapping into neighborhood feedback provided directly from your personal connections, Lettey helps people find places they love with input from the people they trust the most,” said Nick Szuch, co-founder and co-CEO of Lettey.
The app makes its debut in the New York City market with a wide range of listings available to search from landlords and brokerage firms large and small — including brokerages Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Nest Seekers, Compass and more. The platform accepts brokerage data feeds that refresh hourly, making sure renters benefit from the most current inventory. Similarly, text-enabled communication shortens the response lag between listers and prospects. Lettey is free to list and to browse, making it attractive for landlords and their agents — as well as people looking to sublet their apartments — to market their listings.
“People want to know where their friends live, how accessible and diverse a neighborhood is, and how much value they’re going to get for their money. Lettey is designed to take the stress out of finding your next apartment and make it fun — and get people away from the typical Craigslist experience, which lacks social proof and can be quite disenfranchising,” said Jessica Rosner, co-founder and co-CEO of Lettey. “Peer-to-peer feedback is especially helpful if you’re relocating to the city or are unfamiliar with the differences of a particular neighborhood.”
Lettey offers in-app services, including background checks by TransUnion that can be sent directly to a landlord or broker and comprehensive renter’s insurance from Lemonade. The app features convenient, text-enabled messaging that lets users communicate directly with brokers and landlords to ask questions or schedule a showing. The app’s intuitive, filterable map offers users a humanized approach to finding a home by focusing on peer-to-peer influencers and feedback, offering ratings on each neighborhood’s accessibility, diversity, fun and value. For those who need assistance, Lettey offers responsive customer service and tech support to help users get back on track.
Lettey was founded in 2021 by Rosner and Szuch, Columbia Business School classmates who were inspired to create a modern solution to renting an apartment after sharing their experiences about trying to find an apartment online. Moving forward, the angel investor-backed platform plans to expand its offerings to additional major metro areas across the United States.
