First shot at the Fast Lane. Accommodation app.

[davemont]

Hi there,
Been a long time lurker here, no real business experience so never really felt that I could add to the discussions much. Intend to try and get involved a bit more!
Currently a professional cyclist. Unfortunately, this is probably as slow lane as it gets. If only it was as simple as more hours = more money!!
Fortunately, it means my days are as flexible as I make them, and I have lots of control and freedom over what I do.
I'm 20. I began a Sport & Exercise Science degree at University two years ago, but am currently on a 'leave of absence' to pursue (what were) my cycling dreams.
However after making it to the professional level last year, and finding out what it's really like, I'm not so sure if it's for me.

Right now I have plenty of time to be experimenting in the business world, and after studying business in school and always growing up with the idea of working for myself in mind, I think it's time I got moving.
Over the past few weeks I've been generating as many ideas as possible. I've decided on which one I want to take forward, and am now making a start on it.

Having been a University student, I know the industry and understand the market. I could rant for days on the manipulation of the students and what a massive money making dictatorship I view it as, but I'll save it for now.
Every student needs accommodation. This is a massive market. I've seen first hand how complicated the process of finding accommodation is, and think I can simplify it. It involves an app, but I don't want to say much more in this public arena. If anyone has experience in developing apps, is a landlord, estate agent, current student, or past student; I'd love to pick your brains.

Otherwise, I'd be massively grateful if you could complete this quick 10 question survey...
And if you're interested in the progress, please sign up to the mailing list here

If you feel you can't complete the survey, please let me know your reasons. Critique me, critique it, critique everything, I'm here to learn and improve!

Thanks for all the inspiration and knowledge so far, let the fun begin.
David

Edit: Hey, that was all about me. What's in it for you? Get back up there and help out with the survey, more data for me means a better progress thread for you! Joking, I've linked it down here too.

 

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[SenGracic]

Your last question in the survey is one interesting feature.
The biggest fear is to find someone with who it will work out living together not only because of your and his/hers personality but also the financial aspect. Finding a way to be sure someone will pay their part of the rent is pretty hard ... not like YOU can do credit checks to see if your roommate has good payment history.

The biggest concerns I saw and when talking with students we found was :

1. Financial aspect ; how are you sure everybody pays their part ?
2. Cleaning the place and keeping it clean.
3. Calm . You need time to study and can't have people around to party or hang out every day/night.
4. Respect. In everything from cleaning up to paying rent to just basic living manners.
5. Girlfriend/Boyfriend rule : They can come.. sometimes even sleep but staying there all the time big NO.
6. The fridge
7. Dealing with parkins and extra parkings for those who have cars.

that's all that comes to my mind for now.

Good luck to your project !

 

[davemont]

Your last question in the survey is one interesting feature.
The biggest fear is to find someone with who it will work out living together not only because of your and his/hers personality but also the financial aspect. Finding a way to be sure someone will pay their part of the rent is pretty hard ... not like YOU can do credit checks to see if your roommate has good payment history.

The biggest concerns I saw and when talking with students we found was :

1. Financial aspect ; how are you sure everybody pays their part ?
2. Cleaning the place and keeping it clean.
3. Calm . You need time to study and can't have people around to party or hang out every day/night.
4. Respect. In everything from cleaning up to paying rent to just basic living manners.
5. Girlfriend/Boyfriend rule : They can come.. sometimes even sleep but staying there all the time big NO.
6. The fridge
7. Dealing with parkins and extra parkings for those who have cars.

that's all that comes to my mind for now.

Good luck to your project !

Thanks for the reply, exactly the stuff I wanted!
Liking no. 6) The fridge, nothing more needs said!

As a professional athlete, I wasn't going out every night of the week and most days didn't have time to socialise; playing Fifa or scratching eachothers balls just didn't do it for me when I had assignments to be chasing on top of training, recovering, refuelling etc.
Thus when it came to moving out of shared halls in 1st year, to trying to find a house for 2nd year, trying to find some likeminded people to live with, and a decent house, was a nightmare.

That said, so far the survey is telling me most other people don't find it much of a problem! Not what I wanted or expected to hear I must admit!