We tried ChatGPT for rental listings and here’s how it went

Article by Sinead Clarke Communications Manager 18 June 2024

It’s no secret that ChatGPT is taking the world by storm, with many businesses and professionals using its services to streamline mundane tasks and seek out inspiration, particularly after a long workday. In our latest experiment, we decided to put ChatGPT to the test in the world of real estate. We tasked it with creating rental listings and the results were nothing short of fascinating. From crafting compelling descriptions to highlighting key features, here’s how our AI-powered adventure in property marketing unfolded.

What if we told you that the introduction above was created completely using ChatGPT? Its capabilities seem limitless, however, various news stories and online debates have left us feeling sceptical. Many believe that it diminishes human creativity and horror stories of it becoming more inaccurate the more we use it plague headlines. However, as we aim to streamline and innovate here at PropertyMe we thought it would be remiss of us to not give it a try yourselves. 

Before we got started, we wanted to learn more about how ChatGPT actually works. As part of our research, we stumbled upon a TV show aptly titled ‘How Does ChatGPT Work?’, with the program stating “It works through its Generative Pre-trained Transformer, which uses specialised algorithms to find patterns within data sequences”. But what does that mean to the average person? As explained by Zapier, the AI system begins by taking your prompt, breaking it down into tokens or pieces, using its network to understand those pieces and then providing you with an answer to your prompt. The more we use the system, the more it learns, forming associations between commonly asked questions. So with that crash course out of the way let’s see how it goes creating rental listings!

Does ChatGPT comply with legislative and industry requirements? 

We began our experiment by figuring out if ChatGPT could recognise the legislative and industry requirements that must be met in New South Wales when creating a rental listing.

The findings were quite interesting as the system provided us with five legislative requirements that need to be met:

1. Accuracy and truthfulness: Under Australian Consumer Law (ACL), it is illegal to make false or misleading statements about a property. All information provided must be accurate and verifiable.
2. Disclosure of essential information: Clearly state the property’s full address. Mention the weekly rent and the bond amount (usually equivalent to four weeks’ rent). Specify when the property will be available for occupation. Accurately describe the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, parking spaces and any additional features or appliances included. Indicate the length of the lease offered (e.g., 6 months, 12 months).
3. Energy efficiency information: If applicable, confirm that the pool complies with safety regulations. State that the property is fitted with working smoke alarms, as required by NSW law. 
4. Disclosures about property condition: Disclose any significant issues or defects in the property that a tenant should be aware of, such as structural problems or necessary repairs.
5. Inclusions of photographs: Ensure that photographs are current and accurately represent the property.

Beyond that information, ChatGPT also provided five industry best practices to follow when creating a rental listing: 

1. Use clear, concise and professional language.
2. Highlight unique features and benefits of the property.
3. Provide clear contact details for the Property Manager or agent, including phone number and email address.
4. Ensure the listing does not contain discriminatory language or terms that could be seen as exclusionary or biased.
5. Keep the listing updated to reflect the current status of the property including any changes in availability or rental terms.

The breadth of information we received in a matter of seconds was astounding, however, we wanted to fact-check what we’d been given. Upon asking we discovered that the system had sourced the information from NSW Fair Trading, the Residential Tenancies Act 2010(NSW) and the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC). Upon conducting our own research we found that the information provided was accurate and collected from respectable sources.

Can ChatGPT provide us with the most searched listing terms?

The most difficult part of listing a new rental is often deciding which adjectives and listing terms to use to create the most buzz and interest around the property. Often it takes putting on your wordsmith cap and having a good brainstorm to create a Shakespeare-worthy listing. As Property Managers we know that you’re constantly on the go and squeezing creative juice out after a long day can be a tiresome task. Therefore, we turned to ChatGPT to provide us with some buzz-worthy listing terms. We didn’t want just any old adjective, we wanted to make sure we were using popular search terms, to improve the clicks on our listings.

The system provided us with 10 adjectives and terms to ‘attract potential tenants’:

• Spacious
• Modern
• Renovated
• Charming 
• Cozy 
• Convenient 
• Bright
• Quiet 
• Luxurious 
• Secure

• Open-plan
• Fully furnished
• Pet-friendly
• Close to transport
• Low maintenance
• Air-conditioned
• Built-in wardrobe
• Outdoor entertaining area
• Secure parking 
• Walking distance 

When asked how the top adjectives and terms were determined ChatGPT stated that they used an omnichannel approach. This included scouring current listings on Domain and Realestate.com.au and looking at industry best practices and resources that include market trends and survey data. Understandably, it’s difficult to garner the accuracy of the datasets used.

What is the best layout for a rental listing?

It’s commonly debated between Property Managers and agencies as to which layout is best for a rental listing. We’ve seen everything from dot points to fully formed paragraphs and can see the pros and cons of both. Thus we thought we’d determine from a prospective tenant’s perspective which was the more advantageous approach for readability.

Off the bat, ChatGPT provided a lengthy answer, including a listing template with example texts, which would be a great resource for time-poor Property Managers. When it came to the recommended layout the system provided a seven-step layout: 

1. Title
2. Introduction paragraph
3. Key features of the property, outlined in dot points
4. Detailed description in a single paragraph 
5. Additional information, outlined in dot points
6. Location highlights in a paragraph
7. Two sentences of a call to action

It appeared that this approach combines both tactics to provide a thorough yet visually intriguing listing. However, we had to question where the information was coming from. ChatGPT was not very acute with where the data was coming from, citing the same sources used for the most searched adjectives and terms.

Can ChatGPT write a compelling rental listing?

It was now time to give the system the ultimate test of creating a rental listing from scratch. We planned to give ChatGPT a few key features about the property as well as a few descriptive words to set the tone of the listing.

The prompt we provided went as follows: 

Spacious 2-bedroom located in Redfern, Sydney. Located on a quiet leafy street overlooking a community park. The property includes two bathrooms, a car spot and access to the building’s laundry amenities. With an asking rent of $700 p/w could this property be the one for you? 

And in return, we received a lengthy rental listing: 

Spacious 2-Bedroom Apartment in Leafy Redfern, Sydney

Discover your new home in the vibrant and sought-after neighbourhood of Redfern, Sydney. Nestled on a quiet, leafy street and overlooking a serene community park, this spacious 2-bedroom apartment offers a perfect blend of urban convenience and tranquil living.

Key Features:

• Expansive living space: Enjoy a bright and airy open-plan living and dining area, perfect for entertaining guests or relaxing with family.
• Two generously sized bedrooms: Each bedroom is designed for comfort and privacy, with ample natural light and closet space.
• Modern bathrooms: Featuring two stylish and contemporary bathrooms, providing convenience and luxury for residents and guests alike.
• Secure car spot: Benefit from your own dedicated parking space, ensuring peace of mind and convenience.
• Access to building’s laundry amenities: Enjoy the convenience of on-site laundry facilities, making chores a breeze.
• Tranquil park views: Step outside and be greeted by the beautiful community park, offering a peaceful escape right at your doorstep.

Located in the heart of Redfern, this apartment is perfectly positioned to take advantage of all the amenities and lifestyle opportunities the area has to offer. With an asking rent of $700 per week, this property combines comfort, convenience and charm.

Additional Highlights:

• Quiet leafy street: Experience the best of both worlds with a peaceful environment and close proximity to the bustling city.
• Community atmosphere: Enjoy the vibrant local community, with cafes, shops and parks all within walking distance.
• Excellent transport links: Easy access to public transport ensures you can navigate the city with ease.
• Proximity to amenities: Just a short stroll to a variety of shopping centres, trendy cafes and recreational facilities, making everyday living a pleasure.

Could this beautiful apartment be the one for you? Don’t miss the chance to make it your new home.

For further information and to arrange a viewing, get in contact with us at PropertyMe Agents. Reach out to us today and take the first step towards living in one of Redfern’s most desirable locations.

Contact us:

• Phone: [Your Contact Number]
• Email: [Your Email Address]
• Website: [Your Website]

Your dream home in Redfern awaits!

So, what’s the verdict?

Overall we were overwhelmed with the amount of information that was provided, making it easy to pick and choose what we’d like to implement when constructing a rental listing. The legislative requirements and search adjectives/terms allowed us to take the guesswork out of listings, whilst also cutting down our research time considerably. 

The system was also extremely user-friendly, allowing us to ask for reworked listings or more adjectives if needed, the bounds of the information we could gather seemed limitless. In saying that, with anything you read on the internet it’s important to conduct your own research and fact-check everything. ChatGPT appears to be a good tool for inspiration, but ultimately the real magic comes from the human touch behind every listing!

Speaking of listings have you used our Listings feature? 

Disclaimer: AI was used to construct part of this blog, Property Managers are encouraged to conduct their own research when looking at legislative requirements.