Just as Airbnb revolutionised the short-term housing market, a new entrant to the accommodation game is tackling the age-old issue of affordable rental housing, pairing medium-term renters like students with empty nesters who have spare rooms.
New to the American market and possibly coming to a house near you, nesterly is a digital platform that matches medium-term renters with established households.
Importantly, it challenges the traditional payment model, offering renters the opportunity to pay part of their accommodation fee by undertaking tasks around the house.
The initiative is seen as a match made in heaven for students seeking affordable housing and empty nesters who may have extra rooms in their home and appreciate some assistance with household chores.
Or as nesterly explains: “On any given night, more than 50 million bedrooms sit empty across the US. Many of these spare rooms belong to established households. At the same time, millions of young renters struggle to afford the high prices in areas near schools and jobs.
“nesterly targets both of these issues by connecting households with extra rooms to those seeking affordable rents through unique task-housing arrangements. With nesterly, guests can now pay part of their rent by helping around the house, and hosts can make their homes work better for them, no matter their needs.”
Simple to use, the platform enables home owners to list a room, while prospective tenants create a profile and explore the accommodation offerings. Once a renter finds suitable ‘digs’ they request to book and the ‘guest’ and ‘host’ can meet in person, via skype or over the phone.
nesterly offers additional security by reviewing everyone who signs up to the site. References are checked, along with credentials like school enrolment, and address confirmation. Meanwhile background and credit checks can also be conducted by nesterly for an additional fee.
Devised by two MIT students, the platform launched this year and targets two of the largest markets in the housing arena today – baby boomers and millennials.
Along the way it ticks some major social goals of affordable accommodation, intergenerational living and in-home assistance for an aging population.
“We’re really excited about the opportunity to help the rapidly ageing population in the US stay in their homes, and one way is helping them access just household help like changing the light bulb or shovelling the snow,” nesterly founder Marcus Goor explains. “(These are) simple tasks that students can do, but could really make a big difference for an ageing household.”
