A successful year has drawn to a close. It may have seemed like we were never going to finish, but I think that feeling came from the excitement and passion we devoted towards making this last year one of our best years yet. Despite some bumps along the way (yeap!), we're still here. This year, we have launched BlueDuck Smart Commercial and BlueDuck Mobile. 🥳️

BlueDuck Smart Commercial

BlueDuck and Allianz General inks MoU in offering rental loss up to 2 months to the commercial landlords. According to the National Property Information Centre, there are 1,060 mall complexes. Some landlords are offering rent abatement – rent-free period up to 6 months with the intention of getting their space occupied. 

To know more, read here: Allianz X BlueDuck Goes Commercial

BlueDuck Mobile

With the rise of users, we would love to give a better user experience to our users. Our BlueDuck mobile was launched at the end of November 2022, believed to provide a more interactive user experience. Landlords and agents may already start registering properties in the app. Most importantly, IT IS FREE. You can download it here for IOS and Android.

On Process flow

In qualifying rental deposit insurance issuance, we'll require documentation in support of the validity of the tenancy, which BlueDuck have been working closely with property agents as traditionally property agents will be the mediator of the rental process. The BlueDuck Portal streamlines the process from six steps to three: purchase, register, and manage in the BlueDuck Portal, and go from two submission channels to one by logging into the BD Portal.

Click here to watch the YouTube video.

Going Forward

In 2022, we were recognized by FWD, the Top 2 winning insurtech startups, MyFintechWeek 2022 by 1337 ventures x BNM and SIDEC Selangor Accelerator Program. We believe we’re on the right path.

You can read more about us on Malaysiakini, Digital News Asia, Vulcan post and  Technode global and find more information about us on Facebook. So, what’s next for us? Will it be a digital insurer, a tenant guarantor, or will Rental Deposit Insurance powered by BlueDuck, be launched in our neighbouring countries, duplicating happiness out of Malaysia? 😉

This cannot be accomplished without user feedback and the hard work of our IT team, which is always developing, testing, and improving the system. These are just some of the highlights of what has been a busy year for BlueDuck. There’s been much to celebrate.There will be bumpy roads ahead, we’ll still be making mistakes, we’ll still be learning lessons, and what’s more important, we’re still in the game, playing. 

Cheers!

We are pleased to announce that we are forging a partnership with Koha Digital. BlueDuck and Koha now team the market strength to encourage the public to easily and clearly arrange their legacy for the inevitable occurrence, to preserve family unity, and to stimulate goodwill to societal causes.

BlueDuck Founder & CEO Mr. Earnest Wong  sign agreement with CoFounder and CEO of Koha Digital, Mr. Peter Cheong

Our vision collaboration's aim is to provide better educational planning in digital legacy planning and bring the modernised method of renting. Koha Digital is the next generation fintech platform for legacy planning, whereas BlueDuck Fintech focuses on unlocking cash flow by speeding up the renting process by employing rental deposit insurance as an alternative tool. With the collaboration of two companies, we are digitising the financial planning process with ease and trust. Anyone can now rent out with ease and have protection against any malicious acts done by the tenants which is a complete support from property assets. People can now use any unutilized property assets with BlueDuck Rental Deposit Insurance to generate rental income through swift rent out.

About Koha: Koha is a next-generation financial technology platform for legacy planning. Their holistic approach builds trust and engages individuals throughout their lives by delivering integrated education sharing, unique personal financial health and legacy planning, charity transfer of money after death, and personalised video or letter greetings to their loved ones. Their primary goals are to inspire everyone to easily and clearly prepare their legacy for the inevitable occurrence, to maintain family peace, and to encourage generous giving to social organisations. For more information, check out their websites https://koha.digital/ 

About BlueDuck: Say goodbye to your rental deposits! BlueDuck has co-created rental deposit insurance with the largest insurance company. We help landlords to easily unlock their cash flow faster by providing alternative rent out solutions by using our Rental Deposit insurance and getting on-time collection through the digitalize payment method. We also co-creating insurance packages so it protects the most valuable asset of a person. With the tenant profile and payment method in place, landlords can now speed up the leasing process and get out of the rut of seeking for "the one" renter.

The collaboration of BlueDuck and Koha is in line with the rapid growth of Malaysia's financial technology industry. Koha Digital and BlueDuck are ready to modernise and digitise in helping people in planning in property and legacy.

Stay tuned for further BlueDuck Facebook and website updates!

Read our news here!

• Smart Home
• BlueDuck
  
• Malicious Damages - What's cover?

Back in June 2022, an opening ceremony for Selangor Digital Creative Centre (SDCC), a lists of startup companies are announced to be nurtured under Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (SIDEC) with the 2022 theme “Net Zero, Sustainable & Circular Economy” and BlueDuck were shortlisted as the top 30 finalists among 300 applicants. 

Fast forward to September, BlueDuck is on the stage being awarded as the Top 5 winners of the Selangor Accelerator Program (SAP) 2022. 

Pitching demonstration done by BlueDuck Founder & CEO Earnest Wong.

5th Cohort of the Selangor Accelerator Program was focusing on five verticals: Agritech, Greentech, Smart City, Fintech and Healthtech and of course, BlueDuck belong in the fintech category.

In the pitching, BlueDuck have demonstrated the pain points in the rental market for both tenants and landlords.

1. High rental deposits
2. Manual Payments (or Collection)
3. Staying Organised

We've designed our software and addressed these pain points through

• Rental Deposit Insurance
• Digital Payment Solution and 
• Tenancy Software

Allowing technology to offer us countless possibilities in today's ever-changing and modernizing world. Not eliminating the old, but embracing and expanding with digitally possible solutions. W

Cassandra, Chief Revenue for BlueDuck in sharing BlueDuck solutions to Selangor State Executive Councillor for Industry and Trade, Dato’ Teng Chang Khim and fellow judges.

It was an incredible honour to receive the award as the Top 5 winners for us in BlueDuck, and others Entomal Biotech, Swipey.Co, Diet Ideas, and Capsphere! 

The recognition was a affirmation of our business's show of clear path for continued success and positive potential impact toward “Net Zero, Sustainable & Circular Economy”, the theme for this year’s SAP.

So yes!

Stay tune for more of our updates in BlueDuck Facebook and website.

Read our news here:

• SIDEC Facebook
• BlueDuck
• Vulcan Post

Till then!

A smart home means your home has a smart home system that connects with your appliances to automate specific tasks and is typically remotely controlled. You can use a smart home system to set a program and monitor your home security system and cameras, or control appliances like your refrigerator or air conditioning and water heater.

What are the benefits of a smart home?

In Malaysia, Smart home ideas are still new but one day this will be a trend in near future. People are talking about energy saving, zero pollution entry, and also a green campaign by the government. How smart homes work, or specific task automation for benefits are:

• Smart homes allow you to have greater control of your energy use, all while automating things like adjusting temperature, turning on and off lights, opening and closing window treatments, and adjusting irrigation based on the weather. 
• Smart homes provide insights into energy use that can help you become more energy efficient and mindful of ecological factors.
• Smart homes can pinpoint areas where you’re using more energy than you need to, allowing you to cut back on those areas and save money.

How do you make your home a smart home?
The short answer is either “all at once” or “one step at a time.” Still, there are a few things everyone will have to do in order to get ready for their new-and-improved home appliances and smart devices.

Upgrade your WiFi
Since all smart home devices use the Internet to communicate, you’ll want to make sure you have WiFi strong enough to handle information sharing. For larger homes, you may want to even consider getting multiple routers. 

Do your research
There are so many smart systems and smart home devices available that it’s a smart idea to familiarize yourself with a few different options before settling on one. 

Identify your needs
Figure out exactly what you’re looking for from a smart home, and then pick the areas you want to start addressing right now. From there, it’s a cinch to pull from your research the smart home system and smart devices and appliances that will meet your needs. There’s nothing worse than buying a fancy new gadget only to have it gathering dust in a corner a few weeks later because it’s not really something you need right now--especially a costly one!

What is a smart device?

A smart device is any electronic device that can be connected to your smart home system, that can interact with other devices, and that can make some decisions on its own. Televisions, stoves, alarm systems, doorbells, garage doors, and stereos are examples of smart devices. Smart devices can be bought separately and over time, making it easy to slowly transform your house into a smart home.There are several brands that you may check it out via online shopping platforms like Philips, Google nest Hub Max for your controlling center and so much more.

All in all

The new world of smart home technology is an exciting one, and the possibilities and combinations are becoming endless. As the smart home industry continues to grow, so will the offerings available and their impact on your daily life. All you need to do is start planning your financial needs.

Organize your shopping budget with TenancyCash

Do you know with TenancyCash, you can get advance payment from your rented property? All you need is an active tenancy contract. Do visit us at https://www.blueduck.my/tenancyCash to find out more and to start your application process or visit our website to find out more about the other exciting products we offer such as BlueDuck Zero Deposit.

Zero Deposit offers good solutions for tenants and also landlords. For tenants, they can skip a 2-month rental deposit and move in immediately. While the landlord no need to worry because BD got you covered. Sometimes bad things happen like the tenant didn't pay their rent on time. This will bring troublesome to the landlord. 

Today, in this blog we’ll be sharing more on the claim processes in the event that the tenant runs away.

How will the claim process be for BlueDuck Zero Deposit landlord? 

1. Suspect that your tenant runs away?

The first thing you need to do is try to reach your tenant via face-to-face, phone call, any sort of communication, if you still failed to contact your tenant and assume them MIA, the next step is to make a Police report. Information and details that need to be in the report are such as:

1. Name of the tenant

2. Mykad number

3. Contact number

4. Address of your property 

5. Date 

   
   

With the police report, you can legally go to your property together with or without a police officer to attempt to regain entry into your unit to assess if there are any personal items or artifacts left behind by the now ex-tenant or whether or not there are any damages to your property. If not you will be considered trespassing.

2. How long does it take to process the claim?

You were to make a police report upon discovery that the tenant had run away in 24 hours. With all the documents ready on hand, you can email them to us at claim@blueduck.my. The entire claims process usually takes about 15 to 21 working days. 

Once the claims are approved by the insurance provider, the insurer will issue an official settlement letter stating the amount of claims and the compensation money will be transferred via IBG (Interbank Giro) into the bank account provided by the landlord. 

The entire communication will be communicated via email. So, do remember to check your email and email us for a status update!

Claim-related email: claim@blueduck.my

Operational related: support@blueduck.my

Do take note that, as part of the terms and conditions of this service, once you have made a claim against your tenant, the amount which is paid out to you as the landlord will be recorded as the amount that the tenant owes to BlueDuck and the insurance provider. As a result of that, this tenant’s name will be blacklisted by BlueDuck’s system as well as by CTOS. 

In the future, if the tenant wishes to clear their name in CTOS, they are required to contact BlueDuck bit.ly/askBDtoday and return the claimed amount back to BlueDuck in order to remove their name from CTOS

3. What if the tenant tells you he/she wishes to terminate early?

In the event that the tenant chose to terminate the contract due to personal reasons, the tenant should negotiate with the landlord on the penalty of early termination of the contract. After all, it is a mutual agreement between tenant and landlord to step into a tenancy.  In some circumstances that we encountered, the landlord agreed to terminate the contract with a one-month ‘penalty’ from the tenant to move on from the tenancy considering that the tenant has been a good paymaster, and taking care of the house responsibly. 

A tenancy agreement is a legally binding document that governs your relationship with your tenant regarding the tenancy.

So, it is highly case-to-case basis and depending on the communication between tenants and landlords. However, in the event that the landlord and tenant have agreed on accepting a mutually agreed settlement amount, this Zero Deposit package shall be canceled. 

Keynote of the day

Understanding the claim process and the documents needed will help landlords better prepare for this unfortunate event. With all documents in place, it will help in speeding up the claim process without having to go through back and forth on document collections. 

We hope this brings a clearer picture for our BlueDuck Landlords!

Well, for the tenant, take good care of the property as you’re accountable despite entering into a tenancy without paying deposit. Your tenancy clauses still apply! 

We are constantly improving our user experience. The process flow may be enhanced. We’ll notify you if there’s an enhancement of the process flow. For more, check out www.blueduck.my or WhatsApp us at https://bit.ly/heyBD. 

It's time to prepare for a getaway with your friends and family! We've compiled the top 5 places to go for your next trip ;)

1.Penang is the top destination for food, drink, and sensory pleasures

Listen to the chatter of macaques at Penang National Park, the country’s smallest. hangout at the architectural splendor of Khoo Kongsi clubhouse and the intricately carved Pinang Peranakan Mansion. Alternatively, get bang up to date with contemporary art at Hin Bus Station. Tip for timing your visit: Penang is one of the best places to visit in Malaysia in December when the west coast enjoys good weather while winds batter the east. 

2.Pulau Perhentian is the best islands for sunshine and snorkeling

Mentioning the Perhentians to Malaysian people elicits a longing smile. The Perhentian Islands are synonymous with brilliant beaches and marine life, plus there’s a party scene to keep beach bums dancing until the wee hours. The trick is to find your perfect beach.

Searching for spectacular sunsets? Head to Coral Bay. Green turtles? The turtle project on Main Beach. Late-night beach parties? Long Beach. 
There are numerous beaches where you can go sea kayaking, and snorkel among parrotfish and giant clams, while hardened divers can go deeper to visit wrecks and commune with clownfish, reef sharks, and stingrays. Time your visit for the dry season between March and October (but avoid July, when crowds reach their peak).  

3.Melaka, Bandaraya Bersejarah

Nowhere in Malaysia is the tumult of past colonial rule felt more strongly than in port cities, and Melaka is emblematic of this cultural collision.
Melaka is perched on Peninsular Malaysia’s west coast, and successive colonists (Portuguese, Dutch, British) vied for control over this trading port and maritime waystation. 

Today, Melaka is one of the best cities to visit in Malaysia, thanks to its variety food cultures, hotch-potch of architecture, and alluring night markets.

Glimpse Portuguese history by clambering aboard the replica Flor de la Mar ship and sampling baked fish at Medan Portugis. Time-travel forward to Dutch rule by touring the Stadthuys (now a history museum) and salmon-pink Christ Church. Other cornerstones of history are ‘China Hill’ cemetery and Peranakan (Straits Chinese) mansions, notably the Baba-Nyonya Heritage Museum. 

Melaka’s multi cultures have helped fuel a roaring tourist trade. Colorful trishaws offer joyrides and history tours, while Jonker Walk Night Market is the evening’s entertainment, from open-air karaoke to nibbling on Nyonya zongzi (glutinous rice dumplings).

4.Cameron Highland- Take refreshing upland hike

Malaysia’s most famous hill stations snooze among the vivid green tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands. Temperatures seldom stray higher than 30°C (86°F), attracting locals and tourists alike to cool off in these 1300m to 1829m (4265ft to 6000ft) heights. Many folks pick strawberries at Raaju’s Hill or make a beeline for the honey farm.

Take a guided hike with Eco Cameron to marvel at orchids and hunt for the whopping rafflesia flower. You can also go alone; numbered hiking trails extend right from the main towns of Brinchang and Tanah Rata.You'll reward your outdoor exertions by sipping a cup of tea (or three) at a plantation. Boh Sungei Palas has some of the best views, with Boh Tea Garden a close second. 

5. Kuala Lumpur is the best place to go for a tour 

If you have grand ambitions but limited time, head to Kuala Lumpur. Parts of KL feel like a quintessential capital city, with shopping malls (like Pavilion KL and Suria KLCC), a competitive cocktail scene, and a sci-fi skyline – the Petronas Towers rise up like twin rockets, while Menara KL glows like a futuristic lighthouse (head to the 300m-high sky deck for an expansive view). But KL offers more than fast-paced urban commotion. 

KL’s city comes accompanied by nature and history, courtesy of time-worn temples, Kopitiam, and rainforests almost side by side with high-rise buildings. Places of worship like scarlet, multi-storey Thean Hou Temple, and ornate Masjid Jamek Sultan Abdul Samad force contemplation and wonder.

If you’re looking for places to visit in Malaysia in three days, KL has day-trip potential, too. Listen to birdsong at KL Forest Eco Park, picnic by a waterfall at the Forest Research Institute, and less than an hour’s drive away is Mah Meri Cultural Village, where you can immerse yourself in Orang Asli (indigenous) art and history. 

Organize your financial budget with TenancyCash

Do you know with Tenancy Cash, you can get advance payment from your rental property? all you need is an active tenancy contract. Do visit us at https://www.blueduck.my/tenancycash to find out more and to start your application process or visit our website to find out more about the other exciting products we offer such as BlueDuck Zero Deposit.