Five students from UC Santa Barbara have launched an innovative AI-powered platform called LeaseMate, designed to empower tenants with critical knowledge about their rights and responsibilities. The platform, which became available last month, aims to simplify the rental experience, addressing the challenges many face when navigating complex lease agreements. Currently, LeaseMate is already garnering attention with nearly 1,000 users subscribing since its launch in mid-February 2025.
Emre Cikisir, a fourth-year computer science major and one of the brains behind LeaseMate, emphasizes the platform's mission: “The best part is advocating for tenant literacy and helping people know their rights so they don’t get ripped off and they feel more comfortable in their houses.” Cikisir and his fellow developers hope to expand their user base to 10,000 in the coming months, eyeing partnerships with local property management companies to enhance the service.
Here’s how LeaseMate functions: Users create an account and upload their lease document. They can then interact with an AI chatbot, posing questions related to various aspects of their lease, whether it be about pet policies, move-out procedures, or parking regulations. The platform alleviates the burden of sifting through pages of legal jargon, providing quick and accessible information for tenants.
Since its inception, LeaseMate has analyzed over 10,000 lease document pages, demonstrating its potential to be a game-changer in tenant education. According to Kondakci, another creator of LeaseMate, the platform’s benefits extend beyond helping tenants. “It benefits everyone,” he states, especially in Isla Vista, an area known for its high concentration of first-time renters. “There’s a lot of legal jargon in leases — we’re trying to make it easier.”
The project was born out of a computer science capstone course where students collaborated with mentors from local tech companies. Inspired by their own struggles as international students deciphering lengthy lease agreements, Cikisir and Kondakci realized the need for such a tool. “We have leases that are super long, and it’s hard to find specific information,” Kondakci says. “So we came up with the idea to make an AI chatbot that answers questions instantly about your lease.”
In addition to its core function, LeaseMate features a virtual handyman option. This assists tenants with minor household issues by providing step-by-step instructions for fixing problems such as leaky faucets or carpet stains. If the issue is beyond what the user can manage, they can submit a maintenance request to their property manager directly through the platform. “It’s super hard to reach out to property managers because you often have to call them during working hours, and sometimes they don’t respond or send the help you need,” says Kondakci. This feature aims to streamline the communication process, reducing frustration for tenants.
Furthermore, LeaseMate includes community forums, enabling renters to connect and discuss common issues. Andrew Thai, another member of the development team, reflects on the importance of this feature, saying he hopes it aids first-time tenants in navigating their rental journeys. “I didn’t even know what a lease was until my first year. If I had a tool that could’ve helped me understand leases, it would have mitigated a lot of my mistakes.”
The departure from a mere class project to a viable startup reflects the drive and passion of the developers. What started as a requirement for graduation has evolved into a mission they wholeheartedly believe in. Thai emphasizes, “We do think that this could be applied to actual property managing software, and we hope that we continue to help tenants.”
In a climate where rental rights can be confusing and often opaque, LeaseMate stands as a beacon of clarity and convenience. The young developers’ vision not only aims to bridge the knowledge gap for tenants but also aspires to enhance relationships between renters and property managers, ultimately fostering a more understanding and cooperative rental environment. Their journey is just beginning, but the early response from users indicates a pressing demand for such innovative solutions.
As LeaseMate continues to grow, it aims not just to assist individuals in Isla Vista but to cater to a broader audience across various locales. Should its user base increase as projected, Cikisir and his team are poised to expand LeaseMate's services beyond educational tools, potentially offering tailored solutions for property management systems. The future of rental agreements might just be in the hands of a few dedicated students, passionate about making a difference.
