Communications
What it does — Housr uses three services to communicate with students and partners: push notifications on mobile devices, SMS text messages, and email. Each channel serves a different purpose and is used at different points in the user journey.
Who uses it — Students (receiving messages), Agents (receiving notifications), and Admins (sending campaigns)
How it works
Firebase Cloud Messaging (Push Notifications)
Push notifications are sent to students’ mobile devices to keep them informed about activity on the platform.
- New viewing confirmations or updates
- Event reminders and announcements
- New properties matching saved searches
- Perk promotions and limited-time offers
- Bills reminders (UK)
- Drop campaigns — targeted push notifications sent to specific groups of students
Twilio (SMS)
SMS is used for time-sensitive communications where a push notification might not be enough, or where the recipient may not have the app installed.
- Verification codes
- Viewing reminders
- Critical account notifications
Mailgun (Email)
Email handles longer-form communication and transactional messages.
- Welcome emails and onboarding
- Viewing confirmations and summaries
- Bills statements and payment receipts (UK)
- Marketing newsletters and updates
- Agent notifications about new enquiries
Where it lives — These services run behind the scenes. Students and agents receive messages through their phone, SMS inbox, or email — they do not interact with Firebase, Twilio, or Mailgun directly.
Regional availability — UK and US
All three communication channels are used in both markets.
Related features
- Integrations — Overview — See all third-party services Housr uses
- Notifications — How students manage their notification preferences