
Digital subleasing platform optimizing secure rental listing and tenant-landlord connection.
Challenge
Solution
Back to top
THE CHALLENGE
What problem am I trying to solve?
"As a college student in Southern California, I have faced the housing crisis head-on. Rent prices in cities like Irvine are extremely high, making it difficult for students to find affordable and flexible living spaces. Additionally, the process of subleasing is often fraught with challenges, including finding trustworthy sub-letters, unclear lease terms, and a lack of secure payment options."
REDIRECTING FRUSTRATIONS
Could there be an easier and safer way to find housing in high demand areas like Southern California?
These frustrations inspired us to create LeaseEase, as there is no centralized platform to connect leasers with subtenants. By creating one, we aim to streamline the apartment-hunting process, providing resources and security to support both parties
INITIAL RESEARCH/ PROBLEM VALIDATION
Why is this important?
We wanted to ensure that the housing crisis among students was a real issue, not just an isolated case. After conducting online research, we confirmed that many students face housing insecurity when leasing and subleasing due to a lack of institutional support.
RESEARCH AND EXPLANATION
What methods will I use to drive clarity and focus on my solution?
These frustrations inspired us to create LeaseEase, as there is no centralized platform to connect leasers with subtenants. By creating one, we aim to streamline the apartment-hunting process, providing resources and security to support both parties
UX RESEARCH METHOD 01 : SECONDARY RESEARCH & INTERVIEWING
We conducted user interviews with four college students from different schools to better understand housing challenges. The goal was to gain insight into their experiences and explore how LeaseEase could address these issues.
What are some housing challenges that you faced when subleasing/leasing?
“I wish we established a contract, because they stained the carpet floor and wasn’t willing to compensate it.”
— UC Berkeley
“They didn’t pay the last two month’s rent and blocked me on every platform.”
— San Jose State University
“I found my tenant off facebook, but they ghosted me and never showed up after I rejected everyone else.”
— UC Santa Barbara
“I wish I knew what kind of people my housemates are and their living habits before I moved in.”
— University of Southern California
UX RESEARCH METHOD 02 : USER SURVEYS
Given the time constraints of this project, we decided to distribute surveys via social media and received 31 responses from individuals who have experienced subleasing challenges.
59.3%
54.8%
44.4%
Inaccurate Listings
37%
DEFINE/ OPPORTUNITY
Defining core principles to consider the needs of both parties and guide design decisions
After interviewing the participants and screening the current products available on the market, we were able to gain a deeper understanding of our audience. More so, with these pain points in mind, we can begin to translate the insights into features for the platform. Our next step was defining the user persona and journey roadmap.
Implement advanced search filters that allow users to specify preferences like location, price, length of sublease, and other relevant factors.
SYNTHESIS: JOURNEY MAPPING
Exposing pain points and areas for improvement through journey mapping
Based upon data from in-person interviews and user surveys, we organized our observations and categorized them using two user journey maps—sub-landlord and sub-tenant.
DESIGN OVERVIEW
Spotlighting gaps and creating a user-centered solution
Our initial user research uncovered key opportunities to improve the leasing and subleasing experience, such as enhancing trust, simplifying search and communication, and ensuring secure transactions. For the design, we focused on streamlining the onboarding process, refining search functionality, and improving communication tools to create a more seamless experience.
Additionally, we emphasized personalization, making it easier for users to find and secure listings that match their preferences. Existing platforms lacked a cohesive approach to trust-building and efficient discovery, and our redesign aimed to address these gaps by creating a more intuitive and reliable solution.
THE STRUCTURE
Ideas to action
Before designing, we wanted to establish a strong foundation for the app by mapping out key interactions and navigation flows. These foundational elements provided a clear blueprint for the app, guiding our design decisions and ensuring a streamlined user experience.

WIREFRAME
Glimpse of a dream
We brought our vision to life with two lo-fi design concepts, each designed to protect users throughout the subleasing process. By integrating secure identity verification and clear, legally sound lease agreements, LeaseEase helps prevent misunderstandings and keeps both parties safe from common subleasing risks.


DESIGN SYSTEM
Designing a peace of mind
We unanimously agreed on blue as the primary color, setting a foundation for the app’s visual identity. However, to create a cohesive design system, we needed to establish a structured approach to typography and icongraphy.
As we built the prototype in Figma, we introduced accent colors to differentiate features and enhance usability. This iterative process allowed us to refine the design while ensuring clarity and consistency across the interface.


OUR SOLUTION
LeaseEase
LeaseEase is a mobile app that simplifies subleasing by offering secure payments, legally binding lease templates, and verified user profiles. With easy listings and in-app messaging, it ensures a safe and transparent experience for students and young professionals.
DESIGN DECISIONS
Identity Verification System
To ensure secure leasing, we require multi-factor authentication and identity verification. Users must complete two-step verification to login their accounts, and prospective tenants must provide a government-issued ID, such as a driver’s license or Real ID, before finalizing any lease. These measures help prevent fraud and protect all listings.
DESIGN DECISIONS
Built-in Legal Lease Agreement
LeaseEase offers a built-in legal lease agreement available through an online system, streamlining the subleasing process. Customizable lease agreement templates allow sub-landlords to edit and send them to sub-leasers digitally, ensuring clarity, compliance, and security. This feature enhances efficiency while providing a seamless and legal leasing experience.
DESIGN DECISIONS
Security Payment via Platform
Secure payment processing through the app, ensuring that all transactions, including rent and security deposits, are safely handled. By using a trusted payment system, funds are securely transferred and tracked, preventing fraud and reducing the risk of sub-landlords running away with deposits.
THINGS THAT I LEARNED
My passion for UI/UX Design
This was my first long-term UX design endeavor, where I had the opportunity to design an app from scratch. I found immense fulfillment in bringing an idea to life, navigating the entire design process from ideation to prototyping and iteration. Seeing the final prototype take shape was incredibly rewarding, as every decision was driven by user needs and thoughtful design.
THINGS THAT I LEARNED
Prioritizing clarity and communication (responsibilities of working in a team)
As the Leader of this project, I learned to think with intention, negotiate with team members, and lead with both kindness and confidence. I also realized that how I present myself directly reflects on my team, shaping our collaboration and workflow. One of the most valuable takeaways from this experience was understanding that what seems self-explanatory to designers may not be for the general public, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, usability testing, and user validation.
THINGS THAT I LEARNED
If I had more time…
As the Leader of this project, I learned to think with intention, negotiate with team members, and lead with both kindness and confidence. I also realized that how I present myself directly reflects on my team, shaping our collaboration and workflow. One of the most valuable takeaways from this experience was understanding that what seems self-explanatory to designers may not be for the general public, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, usability testing, and user validation.