http://3025m.com/

This work was for the properties of SC Capital Management, Inc. in the neighborhood of the University of Southern California. SC Capital had two buildings for mostly USC students. My client requested 3 main features.

1. Converting applications from paper to online.
2. Creating a roommate finder tool.
3. Creating a sublease finder tool.

The data is stored on an Apache server accessible via MySQL. Back-end code was written in PHP. Client-side features were done with JavaScript.

Converting applications from paper to online

application form

At first, this seemed straightforward- take a form print out and convert it to a web form with basic validation and security. It turned out that this was also a business process optimization problem. I had to deal with several issues:

1. The current form was asking for information that was not relevant for deciding whether to accept an applicant. The client clarified that this information was there to help them place tenants with common interests. But this placed the client at risk of being accused of segregation.
2. There needed to be two sets of forms: one for the tenant and one for the guarantor. I could not just make one web form because the tenant and guarantor may not be physically together and may need to fill out the forms at different times. This was resolved by first having the tenant fill out his/her form. After this, the guarantor can then fill out his/her form, which requires the name of the tenant. The tenant name is validated.
3. Client requested convenience features such as auto-formatting phone numbers, dropdown for state codes, etc.
4. Since I also enabled an online database of tenants, the client wanted this data downloadable. He also wanted to adjust tenants to different properties.

Roommate finder

roommate finder

Having a roommate is a great way to save money for cash-strapped college students. There are situations when one roommate is leaving while the other prefers to stay. Rather than being forced to move out, the remaining roommate may use the roommate finder to find other people looking for roommates. It is open to people with and without leases.

Sublease Finder

sublease finder

Fortunately for tenants, the client allows subleasing. Students may leave their property temporarily for internships or extended vacations. Conversely, students from other places come to Los Angeles for internships or vacations here. The sublease finder tool helps keep units filled during these short-term changes.