Heybarn co-founder Tom Brownlie (left) says “pathologically, I do love sheds” and he is excited about the potential of the Heybarn startup, as he secures storage for his boat with Barry McClallan.
An authentic New Zealand marketplace for rural space is taking off in a world-first startup by a group of Kiwi business entrepreneurs.
Specialising in matching shed space on rural and lifestyle properties with Kiwis who need more space, Heybarn is gaining traction.
Launched in mid-February, Heybarn is likened by its founders to “Tinder for barns”.
Starting small, there’s big plans for Heybarn.
Co-founder and veterinarian Jaimie Hunnam said she was working through a business course when she triggered the idea of Heybarn.
“I had to come up with a business idea, we had just bought a small farm here in Australia, it had a really good shed – concrete floor, large, roller door, private and secure,” Hunnam said.
“We had no use for it at all; it was a 30-minute drive out of town down a dirt road.
“We went to the real estate agent to enquire about renting it out, he was not excited at all but we gave it go.
“Within a week we had five enquiries (and) it was signed up to a guy with a small business who was happy to drive 30 minutes from the city into the country.
“We now have $10,000 a year passive income – really simple.”
Back to the business course, it sparked the business idea.
Hunnam called her friends, Otago-based veterinarians Tom and Keara Brownlie, and ran the idea past them.
They agreed, Kiwis need more space.
Whether for storage, business, events or creative pursuits, space is hard to find with commercial self-storage occupancy rates in NZ consistently at 90%.
On surveying a group of NZ rural property owners, it was realised that about 30% of lifestyle and rural properties throughout NZ have quality sheds, which are underutilised and are ready to rent.
This equates to over four million square metres of underutilised space.
The group was excited and so were the business proposers.
“We developed Heybarn after realising a site wasn’t available which was specifically designed to allow the owners of lifestyle and rural properties in NZ to advertise their available shed space,” she said.
By taking the best elements of Airbnb, Tinder and commercial real estate agencies, the Heybarn user experience has been carefully designed with a focus on security, control and maximising the chance of finding a successful rental arrangement.
The Heybarn founders, now also joined by Manawatū-based business associate and recently retired Ovis Management project manager Dan Lynch, are excited to bring a potential new source of passive income to NZ rural property owners.
Lynch takes up the role of Heybarn’s North Island operations manager.
Shed owners can advertise any available shed space of any size on their property on the Heybarn website (www.heybarn.co.nz) at no cost, potentially earning thousands of passive income every year.
Kiwis who need space for any reason, including storage, an event, business or creative venture, can also advertise their need at no cost.
There is no money transacted until a business agreement is set up. The site is also private, with both hosts and renters able to view the profile of an interested party before committing to a viewing.
“There’s no risk, the Heybarn site has been designed with privacy and security as our top priorities with a high level of protection,” Lynch said.
Heybarn eliminates the stress of formalising an agreement between a host and renter by offering a rental agreement that can be tailored specific to the requirement of each party.
Initially focused on the Manawatū-Whanganui regions and the lower South Island, the website will expand to the rest of NZ very soon.
“If you are looking for listings or renters in the Manawatū-Whanganui and Otago-Southland regions you’re in the right place (on Heybarn now), we are focusing on your area,” he said.
“If you’re not, don’t go away, we’re coming to the rest of NZ very soon.”
Plans are also being made to start Heybarn in Australia.
Meanwhile, take a photo of your shed, or item you want to store, sign up to Heybarn, list your space or advertise your need, sit back and wait for a connection.
Alternatively browse listing or adverts and make the first move.
The first couple of weeks have been most encouraging.
“There’s been thousands of hits on the website and the feedback has been really exciting,” he said.
