Specno and Tentra launch AI-powered rental platform to transform tenant onboarding & rental application processes in SA

Specno and Tentra launch AI-powered rental platform to transform tenant onboarding & rental application processes in SA

South African technology companies Specno and Tentra are pleased to announce the launch of a new AI-powered home rental platform in South Africa. By leveraging the full capabilities of AI-enabled systems, Tentra aims to streamline rental applications in our country, to benefit both agents and prospective tenants, by simplifying administrative processes while also improving the speed and quality of applicant matching.

“The traditional ways of working in our rental market are inefficient for all parties,” says Joram Hinds, Founder & CEO at Tentra. “Prospective tenants are often required to complete numerous versions of similar application forms with no guarantee of a response. In many cases, they pay a processing fee only to be rejected weeks or months later for not meeting specific criteria. At the same time, rental agents receive high volumes of applications and must manually screen many unqualified candidates before identifying a suitable tenant.”

Tentra’s entry into the market introduces a technology-driven solution intended to reshape this landscape. Through Tentra’s platform, applicants complete a single reusable profile that can be submitted to multiple listings, with pre-qualification taking place before any viewing. Communication with agents is hosted on the platform through real-time updates and notifications.

For applicants, the result is a single, streamlined process. For agents, the platform functions as an efficient screening mechanism for qualified candidates. The platform was developed in partnership with Specno, Africa’s leading digital innovation agency and award-winning technology solutions provider.

Specno was able to accelerate the prototyping phase for Tentra by applying its proprietary AI toolkit to Tentra’s product specifications. This has resulted in the development of a sorely needed product in South Africa’s rental market.

“The digital tool we developed for Tentra now provides rental agents in South Africa with an instant, data-driven view of applicant strength at the click of a button. This, in turn, will lead to better rental affordability conversations, a reduction in fraudulent applications, and healthier property market dynamics” comments Joshua Harvey, Head of Growth at Specno.

Market validation has involved engagement with leading names in the rental industry, including Pam Golding and RE/MAX Southern Africa. These interactions confirmed Tentra’s belief in the need to modernise and streamline the sector.

“South Africa’s rental market is particularly challenging in high-demand areas such as Cape Town and Johannesburg,” says Hinds. “There is no reason why access to a comfortable, affordable home should entail anxiety and countless rejections. Tentra’s objective is to simplify and standardise the process of securing a home, injecting transparency and trust into the rental relationship.”

To find out more and sign up, rental agents can visit https://www.tentra.co.za/