For anyone in property management, the challenges are familiar. From chasing down rent payments to managing maintenance requests and dealing with a constant stream of tenant concerns, the workload can be overwhelming. And as your business grows, so do these challenges.

This is precisely what Deepak Anand, the founder of Housr, faced. In 2017, Deepak struggled to find affordable, flexible living options for professionals like himself. This frustration sparked the idea for Housr, a managed living service catering to professionals in need of hassle-free, community-driven accommodations.

But scaling a business of this nature isn’t easy. As Housr grew to manage thousands of beds, the complexity of operations quickly became a challenge. That’s when they turned to Crib, a property management platform designed to streamline operations, automate billing, and make rent collection a breeze.

So, how did Crib help this house collect ₹100 crores in rent? Read on to learn how this powerful tool helped Housr overcome their pain points and scale to new heights.

The Founding of Housr: A Personal Struggle Turned Business Opportunity

In 2017, Deepak Anand faced a personal challenge that many professionals experience: finding affordable and flexible accommodation in a high-demand real estate market like Gurgaon. He was living away from his family and needed a place to stay for a few days a week, but the options available were far from ideal. Hotels were expensive and lacked a sense of community, while renting an apartment was a complex and costly affair.

The Struggle

Deepak's search for a place that balanced flexibility, affordability, and community proved fruitless. He spent a significant amount of time and money staying in various hotels, paying three times the amount he would pay today for a comparable stay. 

The inconvenience of constantly checking in and out, along with the absence of any community experience, made the situation even more frustrating.

The Gap in the Market

Realising that he wasn't alone in this struggle, Deepak discovered a significant gap in the market. There was no solution for professionals like him who needed a place to stay for a few days a week, with minimal hassle and a sense of belonging. 

The existing rental options were either too rigid or too expensive, and there was no middle ground that catered to this growing need.

The Birth of Housr

This frustration led Deepak to take matters into his own hands. He set out to create Housr, a managed living solution that combined affordability, flexibility, and a strong sense of community. His vision was clear: to offer hassle-free, fully managed living spaces that cater to the needs of professionals, making accommodation easier and more enjoyable.

By identifying this gap and using his own experience as inspiration, Deepak turned a personal frustration into a thriving business that would go on to help thousands of professionals find the perfect place to call home.

After identifying a clear market gap, Deepak set out to develop a solution. But as Housr grew, the challenges of managing a rapidly expanding business became more apparent.

Housr’s Growth: Scaling and the Operational Challenges

Since its inception, Housr has experienced remarkable growth. What began as a small operation has now expanded to managing over 5,000 beds. Deepak has set ambitious goals for the company, aiming to double or even triple its size by the end of the year. However, with rapid growth came significant operational challenges that needed to be addressed to maintain quality and efficiency.

As Housr scaled, the company faced several hurdles in managing its expanding portfolio, which included:

1. Maintaining Quality Service: As the number of properties grew, ensuring a consistent, high-quality experience for tenants became increasingly difficult. From housekeeping to security, every detail had to be closely managed to keep tenants satisfied.

2. Managing Tenants: With thousands of tenants across multiple locations, the complexity of managing relationships, resolving complaints, and addressing maintenance issues increased. The need for seamless communication and effective issue resolution was more pressing than ever.

3. Handling Administrative Tasks: The daily administrative workload, including rent collection, billing, and financial management, became overwhelming. Chasing rent payments, managing invoices, and keeping track of tenant data were time-consuming tasks that took focus away from scaling the business further.

As the company continued to grow, it was clear that manual processes couldn’t keep up with the demands. The complexity of operations required a tech-driven solution that could handle everything from rent collection to maintenance requests, allowing the team to focus on expansion and improving tenant experience.

This was when Crib entered the picture. With its streamlined, automated tools, Crib helped Housr address these operational challenges efficiently, allowing for smoother scaling and more effective property management. Let’s learn how. 

How Crib App Enhanced Housr’s Operations

Deepak Anand and his team realised they needed a reliable solution to automate property management and maintain quality and efficiency as they scaled.

That’s when Crib stepped in.

Crib became a vital tool for Housr, addressing several operational pain points and enabling the company to streamline key processes. Here’s how:

• Automated Rent Collection: One of the biggest challenges in property management is ensuring timely rent collection. Crib’s automated reminders and payment systems helped Housr reduce manual follow-ups, making the rent collection process smoother and more reliable. 

  Tenants were reminded automatically, ensuring no payments were missed, and the system provided easy, seamless payment options.

• Tenant Portal: The tenant experience is crucial for retention, and Crib’s tenant portal was designed with this in mind. It gave tenants a centralised place to track payments, submit maintenance requests, and access important information. 

  This not only improved tenant satisfaction but also eased the burden on Housr’s management team.

• Maintenance Management: Managing maintenance requests across multiple properties can be a logistical nightmare. Crib’s maintenance tracking system allowed Housr to streamline the process, ensuring that tenant requests were handled promptly and efficiently, without manual intervention. 

  This system improved accountability and ensured quicker resolution of issues.

• Financial Tracking: As Housr grew, keeping track of finances became increasingly complex. Crib’s financial management tools provided Housr with a clear view of expenses, revenue, invoicing, and payment processing all in one platform. This gave the team better control over their finances and improved transparency.

• Customisable Whitelabel Platform & Seamless Integrations: Crib’s whitelabel platform allowed Housr to customise the software to match their branding, while seamless integrations with existing systems, like payment gateways and accounting tools, enabled rapid scaling without disruption.

By partnering with Crib, Housr was able to remove much of the operational friction. This allowed them to focus on providing a great living experience for their tenants and continuing to expand their business.

Thanks to the smooth integration of Crib, Housr was able to scale rapidly and, within a short time, collect ₹100 crores in rent. But what exactly contributed to this success? Let’s find out.

Housr’s Success: ₹100 Crores in Rent Collected

Housr’s remarkable journey to collecting ₹100 crores in rent is a direct result of their strategic partnership with Crib. Here’s how the collaboration with Crib App made a significant impact:

1. Streamlined Operations

With Crib’s automated rent collection and maintenance management features, Housr reduced manual intervention, making their operations smoother and more efficient. This allowed their team to focus on business growth instead of being bogged down by routine tasks.

2. Focus on Growth and Service

As Crib took care of the backend processes, Housr could prioritise tenant satisfaction and service improvements. This shift in focus helped enhance the tenant experience and drove retention, further contributing to their financial success.

3. Capitalising on the Pandemic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, while many businesses struggled, Housr saw an increased demand for managed living solutions. With many people seeking flexible, safe, and hassle-free accommodation, Housr capitalised on this surge in demand. 

Ultimately, Housr expanded rapidly, growing their inventory and ultimately collecting ₹100 crores in rent. By partnering with Crib, Housr was able to scale their operations without sacrificing quality or efficiency, setting them up for continued success in the future.

There are valuable lessons to be learned from Housr’s journey. Here’s what property managers can take away to improve their operations and scale more effectively.

What Property Managers Can Learn from Housr’s Success

As Housr grew into one of the country’s largest managed living providers, it revealed key lessons that every property manager can apply.

1. Focus on Your Core Competencies

When Housr faced challenges scaling, Deepak realised the importance of focusing on what they did best: providing quality, hassle-free accommodation. Trying to manage every aspect of the business, from tech development to complex billing systems, would only stretch resources thin. 

Instead, they chose to focus on creating an exceptional living experience for their tenants, leaving the tech and operations to the experts. For property managers, it’s crucial to recognise where you add the most value and delegate the rest to trusted partners.

2. Utilise Technology to Streamline Operations

As Housr expanded, the need for more efficient operations became evident. By using Crib to automate rent collection, manage maintenance requests, and simplify financial tracking, Housr reduced manual workload and improved accuracy. 

Adopting the right software can save time, reduce errors, and improve tenant satisfaction. 

3. Choose the Right Technology Partner for Growth

The decision to partner with Crib was both convenient and strategic, ensuring a smooth scaling process. With thousands of tenants and growing demands, Housr needed a reliable technology partner who understood the industry and could deliver on their needs. 

Crib can provide the tools you need to grow without the hassle of building everything in-house. For property managers, investing in a trusted partner like Crib allows you to focus on expanding your business, knowing that the backend is in capable hands.

These lessons from Housr’s journey highlight the importance of smart decision-making when scaling a property management business. 

As Housr continues to grow, the role of technology in property management becomes even more crucial. The success they've seen with Crib shows how property managers can streamline operations and drive growth using a tech-driven approach.

The Future of Property Management with Crib

Looking ahead, Housr is set to continue growing, and Crib will remain a key part of their journey. With Crib’s efficient technology handling everything from rent collection to maintenance, Housr can focus on expanding their business and providing a memorable living experience.

For property managers, Crib is a powerful tool that streamlines property management, making it simpler and more efficient. If you’re looking to scale your property management business without the stress, Crib can help you get there. 

Ready to make your property management easier? Contact us to learn how Crib can support your growth.

FAQs

1. How can property management software help streamline my operations?

Property management software, such as Crib, can automate many time-consuming tasks, including rent collection, maintenance management, and tenant communication. This reduces the need for manual tracking, saves time, and improves efficiency. 

2. What features should I look for in property management software?

When choosing property management software, look for features such as:

• Automated rent collection and payment reminders.

• Tenant portals for easy access to lease agreements and payment history.

• Maintenance and complaint tracking for better tenant service.

• Financial tools for accurate invoicing and expense management.

• Integration with payment gateways to ensure seamless transactions.

These features will help optimise operations and improve the overall tenant experience.

3. How can I improve tenant retention in my property management business?

To improve tenant retention, focus on delivering a great experience. This includes providing excellent customer service, addressing maintenance requests promptly, and keeping tenants informed through a user-friendly portal. Offering added conveniences, such as automated rent reminders and easy communication options, also helps. 

4. What are the benefits of using a white-label property management app?

A white-label property management app allows property managers to customise the software to fit their branding and provide a seamless experience for tenants. It ensures that the platform feels personal and professional, strengthening your brand identity while still benefiting from the features and capabilities of an established software.

5. How can technology help property managers scale their business?

Technology streamlines operations and reduces manual work, making it easier to scale.  Automated processes, such as rent collection, maintenance requests, and financial reporting, free up time to focus on business growth. A good property management system also integrates with other tools, helping manage multiple properties, track performance, and ensure consistent service quality as you expand.