Kuala Lumpur-based LiveIn, formerly known as HostelHunting, is a long-stay rental company. Co-founded by Keek Wen Khai and Joey Lim, LiveIn is not just offering spaces; it is giving people the freedom to truly live. The company believes that life is too big to be contained, and one’s home should be more than just a space. It should be a springboard to freedom, a safe haven, and a place for creativity.
Founder’s inspiration behind LiveIn
As a student, one of the biggest challenges of studying away from home is finding decent accommodation. This story began when Keek Wen Khai, the co-founder of LiveIn (formerly HostelHunting), personally faced these problems while renting a room during his student years. After graduation, when he started working as a hostel operator, he faced several challenges to find convenient properties, as the available platforms were promoting properties that didn’t meet his needs.
Above that, he had to manage viewings and bookings manually through WhatsApp, which became overwhelming for him during peak seasons, especially before new intakes, due to the high volume of messages. Sometimes, he even missed messages. To address these issues, Keek Wen Khai and his partners, Joey Lim spent weeks in brainstorming and eventually developed the solution, that was LiveIn.
What does LiveIn do?
LiveIn was founded in 2015. The company is designed specifically for students to find safe and comfortable accommodation while studying away from home. It is the first and only room rental website focused on student housing. The platform ensures that landlords provide all the necessary details, such as photos, location, amenities, and house rules, to help students make informed decisions. All properties listed on the LiveIn’s platform are located near universities and colleges, and students can search based on their campus location.
Once a student finds a room they like, they can secure it by placing a small deposit, ensuring the room isn’t taken by someone else. It protects students from common scams where middlemen ask for higher payments to secure a room. If there are any issues, the deposit is fully refundable. The platform maintains safety and transparency by removing operators who do not follow the rules. It’s mission is to provide a safe environment for students and a reliable, transparent platform for landlords, working closely with reputable property owners to maintain quality listings.
How is LiveIn leading its way forward?
LiveIn started it’s journey from Bandar Sunway. Since, it’s inception, company has expanded to areas such as Cyberjaya, Bukit Jalil, Sungai Long, Taman Connaught, and Kota Damansara. In late 2016, the company started operating in Singapore and Thailand to meet the accommodation needs of more students.
To improve the room rental experience, LiveIn introduced the HH+ Renting Solution, which benefits both property owners and tenants. Under the HH+ program, LiveIn hires community managers to maintain fully furnished properties with high-speed WiFi and other amenities. Tenants also enjoy complimentary weekly housekeeping to ensure good hygiene. This solution of LiveIn makes renting smoother for tenants while offering better rental returns for property owners, who no longer have to handle tenants or maintenance.
In May 2019, LiveIn launched HH Protect, an insurance policy for homeowners enrolled in the HH+ program. It covers household goods, furniture, electrical appliances, and offers compensation for damages or death. Moving forward, LiveIn plans to focus on the HH+ solution to enhance the experience for both owners and tenants.
The founders of LiveIn are deeply passionate about the company’s growth and development. They are focused on delivering the best experience to customers while staying ahead of the curve. They are looking forward to connect, learn and share through their unique platform.
Khai and Joey proved that success is achieved through dedication, collaboration, and the power of turning ideas into action.
