From artificial intelligence (AI)-native rental search and conversational leasing tools to deeper fee transparency, smarter screening alternatives, integrated payments, and fully connected smart building platforms, vendors are racing to remove friction at every step from discovery and move-in to daily living.
brightplace Launches AI-Native Apartment Rental Discovery Platform
Launched at the end of April, brightplace is an apartment rental platform built from the ground up on AI. Founded by CEO Brian Lichtenberger, the platform is a participant in the inaugural RET Ventures AI Accelerator cohort.
“For the first time, renters can get answers to questions no platform has ever been able to answer. ‘What’s it like to live in this unit? In this property? In this neighborhood? What will my true monthly cost be?’ brightplace is the product built to deliver those answers,” said Lichtenberger.
At the center of brightplace is the AI Rental Advisor, an intelligent agent that draws on a network of property, neighborhood, financial, and lifestyle data to answer renters’ questions. Operators can also deploy the AI Rental Advisor on their websites, providing prospective renters with search and contextual insights. brightplace.ai
Cosign Integrates With Vero
Cosign, a lease guarantor platform for the multifamily industry, has a new native integration with VERO, a multifamily risk and screening platform, to help approve more renters who fall short of standard criteria while protecting asset performance.
The integration embeds Cosign’s guarantor solution into VERO’s screening workflow, enabling owners and operators to offer lease approval alternatives. Instead of losing qualified renters or forcing them into manual follow-ups, leasing teams can keep deals moving in real time.
“Too often, qualified renters are denied housing simply because they miss a traditional threshold,” said Cosign co-founder and CEO Zach Schofel. “By integrating directly with VERO, we’re ensuring renters receive immediate, transparent alternatives while properties maintain strong screening standards and protect their financial performance.” rentwithcosign.com; sayvero.com
Deluxe, MRI Software Team on Payment Capabilities
MRI Software has named Deluxe, a payments and data company, as its official processing partner for its rent payment solution. Deluxe’s payment gateway integration with MRI RentPayment enables property managers to process both ACH and card transactions through a single API endpoint.
“By integrating the Deluxe Payments Platform with MRI’s RentPayment software, we’re helping property managers streamline rent collection while delivering more choice and convenience for tenants and residents,” said Brian Mahony, president of merchant services at Deluxe.
The integration will allow same-day or next-day payment processing, cutting settlement time by more than half; payment batching, which means fewer deposits and clearer visibility behind transactions; and clearer reporting and statement details. deluxe.com; mrisoftware.com
Engrain, Tour24 Partner on Fee Transparency
Tour24 announced an expanded integration with Engrain to introduce enhanced capabilities through ToriAI to deliver all-in pricing, fee data, and leasing intelligence directly within the self-guided tour experience.
The integration supports fee transparency requirements by enabling a clear presentation of pricing and fees when prospects are making decisions.
“Our expanded partnership with Tour24 brings SightMap fee data directly into ToriAI’s conversational chatbot, giving prospects accurate, all-in pricing during the tour and meeting the level of transparency today’s renters expect,” said Engrain founder and CEO Brent Steiner.
Tour24 CEO and founder Georgianna W. Oliver added that fee transparency is no longer optional as it’s being redefined by rapidly evolving state regulations.
“Prospects can view accurate, all-in pricing and fee details, while operators can present that information within the leasing journey without adding operational complexity,” she added. “This improves transparency, reduces friction, and builds trust earlier in the leasing journey.” engrain.com; tour24.io
Inhabit’s Razz and Anyone Home Partner With Engrain
Engrain also has partnered with Inhabit’s Razz and Anyone Home to advance fee clarity across multifamily marketing and leasing. Through the collaboration, Razz, a website and digital experience platform for the industry, and Anyone Home, a prospect-centric customer engagement and leasing intelligence platform, will gain access to Engrain data and fee calculating technology to provide renters with an additional way to see clear pricing throughout their leasing journey.
“Our goal is to provide operators efficient and scalable ways to clearly communicate all costs associated with renting in all prospective renter touchpoints,” said Craig Maness, vice president of leasing and marketing at Inhabit. “This partnership helps our customers bring greater fee clarity into their digital front door with Razz—and through the lead-to-lease workflows powered by Anyone Home.” engrain.com; inhabit.com
Quext and Geokey Join Forces, Launch OneQuext
Smart building technology provider Quext has merged with Geokey, a leader in mobile access control solutions, to form OneQuext. OneQuext is expected to deliver access, Wi-Fi, and smart building technology in a single solution for multifamily and commercial properties.
The merger brings together the strengths of Quext and Geokey, along with Homebase, which joined Quext in 2023. OneQuext unifies hardware, software, and connectivity to bring a seamless and frictionless experience for residents, staff, and site teams.
“OneQuext is not just a platform—it’s the most comprehensive and deeply integrated smart building solution available today,” said Quext CEO Dave Gilles. “By combining Quext’s smart building technology with Geokey’s access expertise, we are redefining what a connected, modern community can deliver.” onequext.com
RentCafe Debuts ChatGPT App
RentCafe has launched its dedicated ChatGPT app, which lets renters search, compare, and explore up-to-date apartment listings in a single conversation.
Beyond the standard apartment search, the app adds two features—rent specials and ratings from residents.
“Our goal has always been to simplify the renting journey,” said Esther Bonardi, vice president of marketing at RentCafe. “With our app in ChatGPT, renters can move from search to decision more quickly, with access to accurate listings, resident insights, and the latest offers, all through a natural, conversation experience.” rentcafe.com
StudentCrowd Targets U.S. Expansion With Series A Round
StudentCrowd, which has helped over 14 million students in the United Kingdom and Europe research housing and universities through verified reviews, has secured $9 million in funding to expand into the U.S. student housing market. The Series A funding is led by YFM Equity Apartments and backed by the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, through fund manager Mercia Ventures.
Unverified online reviews remain a challenge for students researching housing and providers managing their online reputations. StudentCrowd, founded by Paul Humphreys and Pete Sisson, addresses this by verifying reviews through active university email addresses, ensuring contributors are genuine residents attending a local school. It also helps operators by informing and attracting prospective renters through AI-powered search.
“Our mission has always been to bring transparency to the student accommodation market—both for the students and for the sector,” said Humphreys.
The investment will support continued production innovation and targeted market development as the firm builds its presence in the United States and evaluates how best to scale internationally. business.studentcrowd.com