London's Engage Property Technology acquired by US-based software firm

MRI Software has acquired London-based online portals provider Engage Property Technology.

The acquisition is said to strengthen MRI’s end-to-end offering for the residential sector and furthers its aim of delivering a range of real estate technology solutions.

Online resident portals are at the core of Engage’s offering, which includes applications for concierge, community, leaseholder, landlord and lettings requirements.

Engage is an established partner of MRI, first integrating with the company’s Qube Property Management solution over two years ago, and joint clients include several leading UK residential players.

Dermot Briody, MRI’s executive managing director for Europe, said: “Residents today expect the highest levels of service and to be treated less like mere renters and more like community members.

“Engage’s portals are designed with consumers in mind – vital in a rental market moving away from a lease focus to a customer-centric approach that puts resident relationships at the heart of each landlord’s business.

“This acquisition enhances our offering to UK clients and brings additional expertise in user experience and consumer-facing apps that will benefit MRI globally.”

The acquisition will enable MRI to bolster existing integrations between its back-office solutions and Engage’s online portals and provide better support for owners and agents servicing residents in build-to-rent developments and other large-scale properties.

Mitesh Patel, Engage’s chief executive, concluded: “It will now be even easier for residential landlords and housing associations to deploy Engage portals integrated with MRI’s property management and accounting solutions, linking data from both ends and delivering more effective customer service to residents.

“Our user-friendly approach adds tangible value, as residents keep returning to the portal instead of making phone calls to busy property management teams - helping reduce staffing needs and drive down costs, while enabling landlords to boost customer engagement.”