Questions about
sqout

sqout is an independent field documentation and consumer reporting service. We send trained Scouts to physically visit rental properties you've identified and document observable conditions — photos, standardized scores across 8 categories, and written field notes — delivered within 24–48 hours.

We are not a real estate agency, apartment locator, or tenant representative. sqout is a flat-fee documentation service paid by you, the renter.

No. sqout is not a licensed real estate broker, agent, apartment locator, or tenant representative. Scouts document observable property conditions only.

sqout does not negotiate leases, procure tenants, provide real estate advice, or participate in rental transactions in any capacity. All rental decisions remain solely with you, the consumer. See our full disclaimer for details.

Scouts are trained, certified independent contractors who live in the Tampa Bay area. They follow the sqout standardized documentation protocol on every visit — the same categories, the same steps, nothing improvised.

Scouts are paid per completed documentation visit regardless of what you decide to do with the property. They have no financial incentive tied to whether you rent any particular property.

Listing platforms show data provided by landlords — photos they selected, amenities they reported, descriptions they wrote. sqout generates documentation from an independent third party who was physically at the property.

Listing platforms are funded by landlords and property managers. sqout is funded by a flat fee from you — which means our only incentive is accurate documentation.

Scouts follow a standardized protocol on every visit. Before entering, they walk the block, document parking, and photograph common areas. Inside the unit, they open every cabinet and closet, run faucets, check under sinks for moisture, open every window, test cell signal, and document natural light direction and intensity.

They document observable landlord interaction details — how promptly the landlord arrived, whether questions were answered directly. They then record a concise field summary of what they observed.

See the full protocol in How it works.

Every report includes: full photo documentation of every room, exterior, building common areas, and street; an 8-category standardized scorecard (Overall condition, Natural light, Noise level, Storage, Parking, Walkability, Observed landlord interaction, Observable value indicators) each scored 1–5 with written justification; and Scout field notes.

Multi-property tiers also include a side-by-side documented score comparison across all properties. For the Full Scout tier, a 15-minute call to review documented findings is included.

No. sqout documents properties you have already identified. You bring your shortlist from Zillow, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or any other source. sqout visits and documents — it does not source, locate, or identify properties on your behalf.

No. sqout provides observational documentation only. Lease negotiations are between you and your landlord. sqout does not participate in or advise on rental transactions in any capacity.

Yes. Scouts introduce themselves as conducting an independent property documentation visit. They are not undercover and do not misrepresent their purpose. They are professional documentarians visiting a property at your request.

Reports reflect what a trained Scout observed during a single visit at a specific date and time. Property conditions can change. AI assists in checking Scout report consistency and flagging drift from protocol standards.

Scout reports are observational documentation, not professional appraisals, home inspections, or legal opinions. All decisions remain with you.

Five flat-fee tiers — no commissions, no hidden costs:

Vault Report — $29 · Instant · Prior Scout visit data for a known building

Same Building — $55 · 24hrs · New unit in a building a Scout has already visited

Snapshot — $85 · 24hrs · 1 property documented in person

The Dossier — $225 · 48hrs · 3 properties documented and compared

Full Scout — $450 · 48hrs · 6 properties with video and a 15-min findings call

sqout maintains a proprietary database of buildings its Scouts have visited — called the Hive. If a building you're interested in was documented within the last 12 months, you can purchase that documentation instantly for $29. No new Scout visit required.

Vault Reports contain building-level documentation — common areas, exterior condition, parking, observed landlord interaction, and the aggregate documented score. They do not include unit-specific observations.

Book at sqout.co/book. Select your tier, provide the property addresses you want documented, share what to focus on, and pay the flat fee. A Scout is assigned within 24 hours and your report is delivered within the timeframe for your tier.

Full refund: If no Scout is available in your requested market, or if we cannot gain access to a property through no fault of yours.

Partial refund: If fewer properties are documented than ordered due to access issues beyond your control.

No refund: Reports reflect documented observations at a specific visit date and time. They are not refundable based on disagreement with findings or a subsequent change in your rental decision.

sqout currently operates across the Tampa Bay area of Florida: St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Gulfport, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Largo, Seminole, Sarasota, Wesley Chapel, Lakeland, and South Pasadena.

Don't see your area? Email hello@sqout.co to check availability — we are expanding.

A Scout is assigned within 24 hours of payment confirmation. The Scout reviews your priorities and notes before visiting. Your report is then delivered within the timeframe for your tier — 24 hours for Snapshot and Same Building, 48 hours for Dossier and Full Scout.

The 15-minute call is a review of documented findings with your Scout — walking through what was observed, answering questions about specific notes or scores, and clarifying anything in the written report.

The call covers documented observations only. Scouts do not provide real estate advice, lease guidance, or negotiation support during the debrief call.

Yes. sqout works with HR teams and corporate relocation firms helping employees relocate to Tampa Bay. Volume pricing is available for ongoing accounts. Email hello@sqout.co to discuss.