Proptech founder offers alternative to ‘toxic’ student renting

Renting student property can be “toxic”, according to the founder of a platform that aims to make it more like Airbnb. Hannah Chappatte started HYBR, which matches “responsible” students with rental properties, in 2020 after finishing her English degree at Bristol University. Since its launch, the company has generated more than £4m for landlords and has 3,000 students on its books. It operates in seven cities and plans to expand to all of the UK’s 30 key university cities next year. “With the Airbnb experience, as a host you want to make sure that the guest has a really pleasant experience at your property, but that relationship just doesn’t exist in the student accommodation world,” she said. “It doesn’t make sense to me. If you treat the renter with respect, they will treat your property with respect.” To help finance the plans, Chappatte has recently raised £700,000 in start-up capital from angel investors, including Evelyn Bourke, former chief executive of Bupa, and Debbie Wosskow, founder and chief executive of AllBright, a women’s network and members’ club. Before the funding round, HYBR won £25,000 in grants to support its development. The Times (£)