Real Estate Marketing & Beyond
Online property management platform Cozy has announced a collaboration with Experian to help renters build their credit histories by paying their rent. For the first time, renters can choose to have Cozy report their rent payments to Experian’s RentBureau. Positive rental payments reported to RentBureau are then added to Experian credit reports.
The new feature will allow renters who use the platform, and who rent from independent landlords and property managers, to build their credit histories simply by making rent payments.
“Because it’s become increasingly challenging for many people to build their credit histories, we’re proud to be working with Experian to give the more than one-quarter-of-a-million people who’ve signed up to pay rent through Cozy the chance to do just that,” said Gino Zahnd, CEO of Cozy. “Landlords can continue to rely on Cozy to receive rent in a secure, timely manner, without the hassle of driving to the bank or physically collecting paper checks, while renters can impact their financial health just by making those rent payments.”
Renters can choose to report all payments they’ve ever made, which can build their past credit histories. “Helping renters report their rent payments is part of our mission to bring peace of mind to landlords, property managers and renters,” Zahnd said.
The new rent-reporting feature is part of an ongoing relationship between Cozy and Experian, the global leader in consumer and business credit reporting. In 2013, the two companies collaborated to create a new Application Program Interface (API) that allows landlords and property managers to request soft credit inquiries from prospective renters as part of the tenant screening process. Those soft inquiries don’t impact credit scores and lending decisions, which ultimately benefits landlords and renters.
“Helping people build their credit history has been a top priority for Experian, and with this collaboration with Cozy, there’s a way for more renters to make their rental payments really count," said Erik Brue, vice president, Experian’s RentBureau. “Credit plays an integral role in millions of people’s lives, and through our relationship with Cozy, we’re expanding the ways consumers can build their credit history.”
The news follows Cozy's $8.5 million series A funding round announced last summer.
Thanks for the great article Mike. I currently use Cozy as a landlord. This is a great feature they've added. I can use this feature as another incentive to encourage tenants to sign up for Cozy's rent collection services to make both of our lives easier. I believe they're also piloting a new program where tenants can use their platform even if their landlord doesn't use Cozy. No more late rent disputes!
Domenick | AccidentalRentaldotcom