Six Catalan real estate companies, Forcadell, Anzizu, Amat, Arnal, Masifill and Bourgeois, have promoted a startup that analyzes the digital reputation of rent applicants to carry out a first screening among those who contact them interested in a home. The new company, called Blas, has its general director, Jaime Aparicio, as its main shareholder, and is also owned by the venture builder Byld, the HD group (owner of the Dinosol supermarkets), the Ibizan businessman José Luis Ferrer, founder of Multiestética , and Vicenç Hernández Reche, director of Tecnotramit and president of the National Association of Real Estate Agents.

Blas introduces in Spain the digital screening model that already works in the United States. “Those interested in renting have to fill out a questionnaire on our page, Heyblas.com, with their personal and economic data and references from their previous landlords, which we verify. In a second phase we are also going to include the analysis of their profiles on social networks and applications that include ratings such as Uber or Wallapop”. In the United States, explains Aparicio, to this data is added the analysis of criminal records, which are publicly accessible there. “Those who want to access a home authorize us to process this data and give it to the owners, who in turn agree not to make any other use of them beyond assessing their suitability as tenants.”

The platform, explains Aparicio, is open to any owner, to whom it offers to publish their apartments on real estate portals and tools to contact the tenant and manage their rental in a professional manner. “Our tool is basically designed for small owners”, he acknowledges.

Blas wants to cover the need of the owners to have a better knowledge of those who want to rent their apartment, before even arranging any visit. To those looking to rent, Blas’ screening gives them a “digital passport”, which puts other possible candidates ahead of them. “A flat at a good price receives dozens of requests in a couple of days. Our tool makes it easier for the owner to make a first list and gives good tenants opportunities to stand out, because those who have previously had problems will surely not agree to give their data to the platform ”, he assures.

In Spain, recalls Aparicio, the main fear of the owners is to suffer defaults or damage to the home, due to the difficulties in financially compensating for these damages.

Aparicio points out that the company has already invested 400,000 euros and is now preparing a second round of 500,000 euros to launch its commercial activity and broaden the scope of the analysis of the digital footprint of potential tenants. “We launched the website last week and we are starting to upload now the offer of rental flats from our partners, so initially practically all of our flats will be in Catalonia”, he explains.