Every month we add features and improve the experience on Lendmates based on community feedback. April was a particularly intense month: three major updates that change how lenders and borrowers coordinate before, during, and after every rental.
Here's everything that's new.
Redesigned chat: clearer, faster
More readable messages, faster responses
The chat between lender and borrower has been completely redesigned. Messages are now grouped by date, images load faster, and push notifications work more reliably on both platforms (iOS and Android). The average response time in chat has dropped by 30% in the two weeks since the new system launched.
Communication before a rental is key: it's needed to agree on the meeting time, to clarify questions about the item, to build mutual trust. A chat that works well isn't a detail — it's the engine of the platform.
Meeting proposals in chat: no-shows are no longer a problem
Propose a time directly in chat — the other party accepts or counter-proposes
The most significant update in April: meeting proposals. Directly from the chat, lenders or borrowers can send a structured time proposal — date, time, location — that the other party can accept, reject, or modify with a counter-proposal. When both accept, the time is confirmed and saved on the rental.
Why does this matter? Because the confirmed meeting time is now the official reference for no-show protection. If either party doesn't show up within 2 hours of the agreed time, the platform automatically activates the protections in place.
🛡️ No-show protection only active with a confirmed meeting. If you don't confirm a time in chat, the protection can only be activated manually. We always recommend using meeting proposals to activate automatic protection.
How it works in practice
- Open the chat for the confirmed rental
- Tap the "Propose a time" button
- Select date, time, and location from the interface
- The other party receives a notification and responds from the same interface
- When both accept, the time is confirmed and protected
New protections for returns
Return QR code + post-return status card
Returns now have their own QR code too. At the end of the rental, the borrower shows a QR from the app and the lender scans it to certify the item's return. Right after, both receive a card to declare the return status: "All good" or "I have a problem". The response determines the fate of the deposit transparently and automatically.
This system symmetrizes the handover and return flow, making every physical exchange traceable and certified by the platform. To learn more about how deposit management works, read our guide on deposit, QR code and security on Lendmates.
Other minor updates
- Pre-meeting reminder notifications: automatic reminders at 48h, 24h, 2h, 1h, and 15 minutes before the confirmed meeting, so you never forget an appointment.
- Automatic offer expiration: rental offers not accepted within 48 hours expire automatically, keeping your calendar clean.
- Search improvements: more precise filters for category, distance, and price on the Explore screen.
💡 If you're updating the app and don't see the new features, close the app completely and reopen it. In some cases a restart is needed to sync the update.
These updates were developed in direct response to community feedback. If you have suggestions or found a bug, write to us from within the app in the "Report a problem" section. Every report is read by the team.
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