Questions about Leen
Short answers. The two guides go deeper on renting and lending in Lower Manhattan.
Leen
What is Leen?
Leen is an app for renting everyday things from people near you in New York City. Your neighbors list what they own, you rent it by the hour, day, week or month, and payment runs through Stripe. Leen is built by Automata Labs Inc. and hasn't launched yet.
Where does Leen work?
Leen is launching in Lower Manhattan, starting in Stuyvesant Town (10009) and Peter Cooper Village (10010). Renting works best at walking distance, so we're starting with two neighborhoods and growing from there.
When does Leen launch?
There's no public date yet. The iOS app is in testing, and the first people in will come from the waitlist, neighborhood by neighborhood. Android comes later.
How does pricing work?
Each listing has a price per hour, day, week or month, set by the neighbor who owns it. You pick your dates and see the total before you send a request, and your card is charged only when the lender accepts.
What are communities on Leen?
A community is a group on Leen, such as your building, your block or a climbing crew. Listings can be open to everyone or only to the communities you choose, and each community has a feed for asking and offering. You join openly or with an invite link.
What are condition photos?
At pickup and at return, either of you can add photos of the item in the app. They're attached to the rental, so you both look at the same record if something comes back different.
Does Leen cost anything?
Listing is free. Leen hasn't published its fees yet, and we'll tell the waitlist before any fee applies. Renters pay the price on the listing for the dates they choose.
How do I contact Leen?
Email support@leenapp.tech, including to ask us to delete your data. We usually reply within 24 to 48 hours.
Renting
More in where to borrow or rent tools in the Lower East Side.
Is there a tool library in NYC?
Yes. The Lower East Side Ecology Center lends stewardship tools for street trees and gardens, free, to residents of 10002, 10003, 10038 and 10009, with pickup on Sundays at the Tompkins Square Park Greenmarket. Brooklyn Public Library runs a tool library at its Greenpoint branch, where cardholders can borrow up to three tools for a week.
Where can I rent a drill near the Lower East Side?
Brickman's Ace Hardware at 55 1st Avenue is one of the few general tool rental counters in the neighborhood. Most other power tool rental in the city goes through contractor suppliers such as United Rentals and Sunbelt.
Is it cheaper to rent a tool or buy one?
If you'll use it more than a few times a year, buying usually wins. For a one-off job, such as tiling a bathroom or cleaning a carpet, renting usually costs less, and you have nothing to store afterward.
Where can I rent camping or party gear in Lower Manhattan?
There's very little. The area has plenty of camera and studio rental, but almost nowhere rents tents, projectors, folding tables or moving gear. Those are the things neighbors most often lend each other.
Lending
More in renting out your tools in NYC.
Can you make money renting out your tools?
It depends on what you own and how often people need it. Things that are expensive to buy and needed for one weekend, like pressure washers, tile saws and carpet cleaners, get asked for far more than everyday hand tools. On Leen you set your own price.
Is it safe to lend to someone you don't know?
You approve every request and choose a cancellation policy for each listing. Payment runs through Stripe instead of cash, either of you can add condition photos at pickup and return, and you both leave reviews. You can also report or block anyone.
How much does Leen charge lenders?
Listing is free. Leen hasn't published its fees yet, and we'll tell the waitlist before any fee applies. You set your own prices, availability and cancellation policy.
When can I start listing?
Lending opens with the launch in Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village. Choose Lend or Both when you join the waitlist and we'll invite you to list first, so your things are there when renters arrive.
Something else?
Email support@leenapp.tech, or join the waitlist and we'll tell you when your neighborhood opens.