Booking a Service vs Renting a Property

1. 🛠️ Booking a Service: How It Works

Booking a service means you're requesting help from a professional or estate agency for a specific task or support need. This could include things like plumbing, removals, legal checks, photography, or even letting services.

🔹 Who can request a service?

Any user can submit a service request, whether they are a landlord, tenant, buyer, estate agent, or a dedicated service seeker. There are no role-based restrictions to request help.

🔹 Who can respond?

Only verified service professionals and estate agencies who have:

• Set up a business profile

• Added relevant service categories and locations

• Configured their lead settings
  …will be matched and eligible to access the request.

💬 How chat and offer flow works:

1. Service Request Submitted
   A user fills out a request form outlining what help they need.

2. Matched Professionals Notified
   Based on the service type, location, and lead settings, relevant professionals receive the lead.

3. Lead Purchase (if required)
   If the request is premium, the professional or agency must purchase the lead to unlock the chat.

4. Accessing the Chat
   Once purchased, they can:

   • Join the request thread

   • Review the job details

   • Start messaging or submit offers

5. Offer Sent & Booking Confirmed
   The professional sends a formal quote or offer. The user can accept, negotiate, or reject it.

2. 🏠 Renting a Property: How It Works

Renting a property involves connecting with a landlord or estate agency managing a rental listing.

🔹 Who can rent a property?

Only users registered as tenants or buyers can directly search and express interest in properties.

🔹 Who can list or respond?

• Landlords and Estate Agents can list properties for rent or sale.

• They receive match alerts when a tenant/buyer shows interest or is automatically matched.

💬 Chat and communication process:

1. User Expresses Interest
   A tenant or buyer clicks "Message" or “Send Offer” on a listing.

2. Landlord/Agent Notification
   The listing owner is notified and can reply via in-app messaging.

3. Chat Opens
   Both parties can now:

   • Discuss viewing times

   • Share documents

   • Negotiate rent or terms

4. Formal Offer Sent
   Landlord/agent can send an offer. The tenant/buyer may accept, counter, or ask questions.

3. 📊 Key Differences at a Glance

4. 🧩 Real-World Examples

Example A: Booking a Surveyor

A buyer posts a service request for a RICS valuation. Three surveyors in their area are matched. One purchases the lead, joins the chat, and sends a quote. The buyer accepts and the job is booked.

Example B: Renting a Flat

A tenant finds a 2-bed flat listed by an estate agent. They message the agent, ask for a viewing, and after a chat, receive an offer. They accept the terms and start referencing.

5. 🤝 Collaboration Across Both Paths

The Matchouse chat system supports multi-party collaboration, allowing buyers, tenants, landlords, agents, and service providers to communicate transparently.

• A buyer can hire a mortgage advisor, solicitor, and surveyor into a shared chat thread.

• A landlord can hire a letting agent, plumber, or photographer and discuss in one group.

• Group chats are managed by the original user who initiates the job or property conversation.

6. 📌 Final Notes

• 💬 Service request leads require professionals to purchase access to chat and offer.

• 🧾 Property rental conversations start immediately upon tenant/buyer interest.

• 🎯 Only verified roles with set lead settings and service/location configurations will appear in matches.

• 📢 Chat access is role- and action-based, not open to all by default.

Need Help?

Click the live chat icon anytime if you’re unsure whether you're booking a service or renting a property — or need help navigating offers and messages.