Rently began in 2011 with a simple idea: let renters view properties on their own time using a smartphone. In his presentation at the Multifamily Innovation® & AI Summit, Andre Sanchez, Chief Operating Officer of Rently, shared how the company started by automating the leasing process and self-guided touring of single-family homes—a concept that challenged traditional leasing office hours.
In the early days, Rently relied on basic technology such as lock boxes. To secure tours, the company used a quick ID match with a driver’s license or credit card and provided a one-time code that granted access. This solution emerged from real-world feedback; when Andre made his first cold calls, a property manager in Colorado dismissed the idea as unworkable. Instead of backing down, this reaction confirmed that there was an unmet need for flexible touring solutions.
Andre also explained that he joined Rently in 2015, when the company had around eight employees. Today, Rently has grown to a team of 500, reflecting the increasing demand for self-guided touring solutions in both single-family and multifamily markets. The data from the early days showed a clear trend: people tended to tour properties outside of the limited hours that leasing offices operated. This insight drove Rently to expand its focus into multifamily, where the need for after-hours access and efficient leasing processes is even more critical.
The showcase also features concrete performance statistics from one of Rently’s key clients, Willow Bridge. Managing over 200,000 properties and units, Willow Bridge reported a 35% increase in tours, a 90% reduction in repetitive tasks, and a 75% decrease in time on market. Additionally, there was a 20% increase in lead engagement, with leasing agents exceeding their goals by 160%. These figures highlight how Rently’s self-guided touring platform not only meets the evolving needs of residents but also significantly improves operational efficiency for property management teams.
Rently’s offering includes best-in-class hardware, a mobile app for easy installation, a desktop platform, and dedicated support teams. By providing these integrated solutions, Rently enables leasing teams to shift from traditional methods to a system that allows residents to tour at their convenience, thereby increasing overall leasing speed and reducing the strain on leasing offices. Andre joked about the “banker hours” of traditional leasing offices—limited to set times on weekdays and short hours on Saturdays—emphasizing that today’s residents prefer touring when it fits their schedules.
For sponsor partners, the Multifamily Innovation® Council represents an opportunity to engage directly with an audience that values practical, data-driven solutions. By aligning with the Council, sponsors can demonstrate their commitment to addressing real challenges in property management, such as filling vacancies more quickly, reducing repetitive tasks, and improving lead engagement. This partnership positions sponsors alongside proven innovators like Rently, whose approach to self-guided touring is grounded in actual performance improvements.
To learn more about Rently’s self-guided touring platform, visit https://use.rently.com/. For sponsor partnership opportunities and additional insights into multifamily technology solutions, explore multifamilyinnovation.com. This is an opportunity to be part of a community that focuses on practical, results-oriented solutions in multifamily leasing.