Arguably everyone would have gone house hunting at some point in life. Certain circumstances always arise whenever you would have to hunt for a house either for a rented one or while purchasing one. Naturally, the only course known to a majority of the people in India is to approach the real estate broker. He serves as a link between the lessor and the lessee whereby he makes a decent commission as well in the form of a brokerage. Of course, that would be his only source of income. However, that should not give him the right to charge exorbitant amounts equaling to a month’s rent etc. The main problem with these brokers is that they function in an unregulated market. In the absence of any fixed set of rules, they charge heavily. Therefore the need of the hour is for a website that would help you find the dream house without charging the heavy brokerage as well.

This is a new field of activity. Many startup entrepreneurs have entered the fray. The younger generation is very comfortable with the internet and the computers. Therefore, these websites would be of great use to the younger generation in general. We shall look at five such websites that are active in some of the important cities in India. The best part of all these startup enterprises is that you do not have to pay any kind of brokerage to anyone.

1) Zocalo (Operational in Mumbai, Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon)  

This website caters to customers in the cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Noida, and Gurgaon at present. The procedure is very simple to follow as well. You have to log in to Zocalo and answer three simple questions. These questions would be regarding your preference. You have to submit your requirements as to what you are looking for, such as a PG accommodation, a shared apartment, or a complete house / flat on rent. The website would ask you to spell out your budget as well. In case you are looking for a shared accommodation, you can put in your preference for the kind of roommate as well. The website has a huge database of houses available for rent. According to your preferences, it could find out the best option for you.

The website works both ways in the sense that you can also let out your house for rent by specifying the kind of tenant you need and the budget you expect. The website can match such requests as well. The greatest advantage of this website is that there is no question of paying any kind of brokerage to anyone. You get a good house as well.

2) Roomler.in (Operational in Gurgaon, Noida, Greater Noida, Delhi, and Kota)

Operational in the northern states of India, Roomler.in would be the best bet for searching for brokerage free PG accommodation. The added attraction of this website is that it does the background check on each client to ensure the genuineness. This would make your stay as comfortable as possible.Using the website would be quite easy as well. One attractive feature of this website is that it caters to bachelors alone. You would not have to pay any hidden fees as well. This would be the best opportunity for students and bachelors to search for brokerage free PG accommodation. 

You would not have to answer questions about your marital status etc. This website would ensure that it provides a one-stop solution to every accommodation problem for the students and the young professionals (single).

3) Nestaway (Operational in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Gurgaon)

Initially Nestaway used to cater to clients from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Gurgaon. It has recently expanded its reach to Delhi, Noida, Pune, and Ghaziabad, as well. The website allows you to choose from a range of unfinished, semi-furnished, or fully furnished accommodation. You would not have to approach any kind of real estate brokers. This entails that you would not have to incur any brokerage fees. Your only commitment would be a deposit of two months’ rent. That should not be a problem for you, as this would be a refundable deposit.

There is no restriction on bachelors and students from approaching the website in search for the perfect accommodation. The rates are comfortable as well. Therefore, it would be a win-win situation for you.

4) Nobroker (Operational in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai)

The very name, Nobroker emphasizes the fact that you would not have to contact any broker for renting out an apartment. You would be in direct touch with the actual owners of the house thereby allowing you to negotiate directly. This would be beneficial to the owners as well because they would be in a good position to judge your credentials. 

Nobroker allows you the facility of free listing as well. You have the advantage of using the social media network for advertising your requirements. The beauty of the website is that it takes care of the documentation formalities such as the rental agreement, etc.This website is available as a mobile application. Therefore, you can choose your home on the go as well. This website believes in extending the highest degree of customer service.

5) Zenify (Operational in Bengaluru)

One of the most efficient property management companies in the Silicon Valley of India, Bengaluru, Zenify, is a dream for people wishing to rent houses in the city. This website makes house hunting a pleasurable affair. 

As this website eliminates the presence of brokers, you can save a tremendous amount on the brokerage charges. This is because the rental values in Bengaluru could be the highest in the country. Finding your right home would be the easiest thing in the world now with Zenify.The advantage of availing the services of this company is that the houses would already be in the possession of the company. Hence, you would get the house in top condition when you enter it. Documentation would never be a hassle as far as this company is concerned. They believe in doing business with spotless hands.

Conclusion:

Hunting houses, either new or old, that too via online is the new trend which is picking up gradually. Once it covers the entire country of India, the brokers would have to find new avenues to earn money. Here are the most sort after startups for hunting houses you would find in India in recent times. Please leave your comments below about your thoughts regarding this.