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The Letting People, Milton Keynes celebrated its opening with a successful launch attended by a host of well-known local business professionals including Milton Keynes Council Leader, Andrew Geary. 

Attended by more than 50 invited guests, the launch of The Letting People, held at the agency’s High Street premises in Stony Stratford, introduced the new organisation to potential landlords, tenants and a range of local faces. 

The evening also saw Council Leader Andrew Greary, and David Morris of NatWest Business Banking and Stony Stratford Business Association, deliver speeches on small businesses and the importance of supporting those working in the local community.

Operated by local businessmen Michael Lomax and Philip Rayner, The Letting People specialises in residential lettings and property management. 

Michael said: “We’re extremely pleased with how successful the launch event proved to be; it was great to see so many people turn up to hear more about what we have to offer.  

“Philip and I come from very different backgrounds and were looking for a business venture which would suit both of our skill sets. Philip had a long career in the construction industry, while my experience lies in marketing and design. We researched The Letting People and agreed that it was a perfect fit.”

Established in Leamington Spa in 2002, The Letting People has recently franchised the business which focuses on helping landlords find the perfect tenant, and tenants find the right property – without the hassle.

Caroline Kempster, founder of The Letting People, added: “We’re an agency with a difference because we’re passionate about keeping our systems as uncomplicated as possible while still providing a professional, personal and trustworthy service.

“Michael and Philip have a great deal of experience in their relevant fields and I’m sure they will be the perfect people to introduce The Letting People to Milton Keynes.” 

The Letting People has also shown its support for other organisations in the area, auctioning a bottle of House of Commons wine signed by Prime Minister David Cameron to raise money for local charity, Willen Hospice. The prize, donated by MP for South Milton Keynes Iain Stewart, combined with raffle prizes donated by other local businesses, raised more than £200.

For more information, please call 01908 713 000 or visit Telegraph House, 54 High Street, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes MK19 1AQ.

Following the very successful launch of the new offices in Milton Keynes, The Letting People are delighted to invite current and prospective landlords to join the VIP Founder Landlords’ Group.

In addition to the professional, specialised lettings services, this group of landlords, limited to a maximum of 20 members, will be entitled to receive a range of free benefits. Please review the branch information page for more details https://www.thelettingpeople.co.uk/portfolio/our-milton-keynes-office 

The VIP Founder Landlords’ Group will be accepting new members up to 31st August 2013, and to be eligible you should have a property to let in Milton Keynes.  (If the property is currently tenanted, you will be eligible to register with your agreement to let your property at a future date with The Letting People, Milton Keynes.)

 To find out if your property is eligible, and to register your interest, please contact The Letting People, Milton Keynes:  01908 713000 or email miltonkeynes@thelettingpeople.co.uk                                            

With the phenomenal growth in demand for rented property, the UK market is now ripe for specialist and professional residential letting agents to start up new businesses.  This continued demand has also been the motivational force behind setting up The Letting People’s new franchise investment opportunity – the first franchised letting agency to be founded in Coventry & Warwickshire!

From the company’s beginnings, the philosophy of this specialist, independent letting agent was to address the main concerns of each client, save the clients’ time, and increase their income, by providing individual and creative property letting solutions.

Founded in 2002, in Leamington Spa, by Anthony and Caroline Kempster, the business steadily grew to become a successful family business with multiple-company efficiency.  Now celebrating over 10 years in business, they are looking to share their success with like-minded people with an interest in the property business.

During a year-long feasibility study, Anthony and Caroline worked closely with British Franchise Association (BFA) accredited franchise experts to further develop the business model.  This ensures that each new franchise branch will be profitable quickly, and benefit from the professional business plan, marketing strategy, and training programme. 
Anthony Kempster said “We decided to franchise The Letting People because we will enjoy supporting and encouraging our franchise partners to set up in business.  With a memorable brand name, tried and tested new technology, an advanced website, and low start-up costs for quicker profitability, we know that our business has a sound and winning formula.”

Franchise partners will also benefit from having their own exclusive territory, working with very sincere and straightforward people with strong business-building and promotional flair, and from conscientious training, and daily support. 

Caroline Kempster said “As the name says, this is a brand which will appeal to franchise business partners who want run a ‘people’ business and to operate with a different approach to many letting agents.  We work hard to find and retain a long-standing team of professional and specialist staff, savvy property investors and landlords, and reliable contractors.  We now know that this business model can be replicated both cost-effectively and easily.”

Anthony and Caroline are now looking for the right type of person to start up the next The Letting People branch – no experience is necessary, but you must be energetic, a good communicator, adaptable to the unexpected and able to deal with all types of people, ambitious, and willing to learn…..Is this for you?

For more information click on our Franchise page on the website and fill in the enquiry form, or call our office on 01926 882555.

Property investors and landlords in the Leamington Spa, Warwick and Kenilworth area can also ask for property business advice such as:
*Residential buy-to-let property investment advice
*Property refurbishment, upgrades and makeovers with project management
*How to increase rental income potential
*Property marketing
*New tenancy negotiation
*Franchising
 

"Many professional tenants, on their first move away from home or student accommodation, may not have enough spare money to buy their own furnishings"

At this time of year, university students are moving into their new accommodation, and expecting to find a prescribed list of furnishings supplied by the landlord in each bedroom – bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, etc.  However, most tenancies are not as straightforward as this and landlords are often left in a dilemma as to what furnishings to provide.

The Letting People have considerable experience of advising landlords on suitable furnishings for properties, as required, to make the property let more easily to the perfect tenant. Some tenants will enjoy choosing new furniture to make a rented house into their home. They may therefore choose a particular unfurnished property because of the size of the rooms – a big enough living room to accommodate a large corner sofa, or perhaps a bedroom that will fit the king-size bed they’ve been dreaming of purchasing. 

Equally, many properties to let will be furnished and a rental decision may be based entirely on the style, period and age of the furnishings. Likewise a flat, without lift access, above the first floor is more likely to let on a furnished basis as no-one is keen to carry (or pay someone else to carry) large furnishings up lots of stairs! Another consideration will be the comfort of soft furnishings such as the bed and/or sofa provided. Some tenants will be anxious to find a home with enough clothes storage space also.

Generally, The Letting People recommend that one-bedroom flats and apartments should be furnished. This is because approximately 90% of the enquiries received for one-bedroom flats, are from tenants requiring furniture. This is frequently because single prospective tenants are looking for an alternative to hotel accommodation or just somewhere to live mid-week. Additionally many professional tenants, on their first move away from home or student accommodation, may not have enough spare money to buy their own furnishings.

Two-bedroom properties with a double and single bedroom, are usually let to single professionals or to couples, who will use the smaller room for an office or storage/dressing room. It is recommended these properties are furnished, except for the smaller bedroom.

There is probably an equal demand for furnished or unfurnished two double-bedroom properties, but a very stylishly furnished property will let more quickly and at a higher rent than its unfurnished counterpart. However, although the same unfurnished property may take longer to let – the tenancy can be for a longer term. This is because it is easier both to move into, and to move out, of a furnished property.

Larger properties of three or more bedrooms are often easier to let unfurnished. These properties are more attractive to families or older couples with their own furnishings and requirements for particular spaces such as room to work from home or for teenage children to have their own space.

The Letting People are always happy to advise property investors and landlords on how to maximise their rental income – whether by including particular furnishings or by other means! 

A very smooth move is taking place at The Letting People in Leamington Spa – from Euston Place to Regent Street – with new offices being prepared to offer all visitors and staff a much improved lettings experience.  

Most aspects will remain the same – same friendly staff, same email address, and same phone numbers – but the location will be much more central to the town centre and with the new buzz of Regent Street.

Anyone visiting the Leamington Spa office in the past few weeks, might be wondering if The Letting People are still in business behind all the scaffolding! Yes, they are still trading … and will open in the new office from Tuesday 29th October.

The next few weeks will see a lot of new changes, and visitors will gain from a new area to drop off keys and pick up documents, and a new confidential room where documents can be read and meetings can take place to discuss your letting requirements.

The new office address is: 1st Floor, 113 Regent Street, Leamington Spa CV32 4NU

Do you know anyone looking for an interesting new job based in Leamington Spa?  The Letting People are delighted to announce that they are now recruiting for a permanent, full-time job of a 'Lettings Co-ordinator' at the Leamington Spa office.  This is an important position, joining a small team at The Letting People – a specialist, local, and independent letting agency. 

They will be looking for the following personal requirements to fill the vacancy:
• Letting agency experience is essential.
• Clean licence and own car is essential due to varied locations.
• Local knowledge is an advantage.
• Computer literacy is a must.
• Clear understanding of bank procedures essential.
Duties will include:
• Coordinating the letting service to achieve lettings targets.
• To visit properties as required and communicate with prospective tenants.
• Arrange appointments as required, negotiate prospective tenancies and to take applications, coordinating the letting service from application to tenancy.
• To provide reception service.
• Update specialized computer software.
• To register tenants deposits and provide feedback of deposit claims.
• To arrange contractors for repairs and maintenance.
• To update and log all relevant communications in accordance with company policies and procedures.
How to apply
(Please note that all applicants should apply as below by post or e-mail only please.)  You can apply for this job by sending a CV/written application to:
Caroline Kempster at The Letting People, 1st Floor, 5 Euston Place, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4LN, or to caroline@thelettingpeople.co.uk.

Closing date for applications: Friday 1st March 2013
 

There's just a few more hours left for your chance to win a mystery prize! We've had some great entries, so if you're always thinking of good headlines and phrases please email us an amusing caption for either (1) the all-female boardroom photo (see the ‘Celebrating International Women’s Day’ news item),  or (2) the all-male boardroom photo by midday on Friday, 30th March 2012. The best caption will win a mystery prize and will be published on the website (so please make your caption publishable!).

Formerly a 'dragon' on the BBC's Dragons' Den, Doug Richard, the leading entreprenear is soon to give The Letting People top quality business advice. Caroline Kempster, Marketing Director, is the lucky winner of a session with Doug following a web business course she attended (the Web Fuelled Business bootcamp.)  Caroline says "I can't wait to talk to Doug about The Letting People's use of the internet for our business.  I learnt lots about web-based tools on the business bootcamp, and it's a great opportunity to have one-to-one advice from a real expert – especially as I won't have to go into the Dragons' Den!"

 We have recently had some interesting deals on new tenancies.  Many prospective tenants and some new landlords, are often surprised that we suggest a negotiation on the rental in order to secure a reasonable deal for both parties.  A few years ago it was the norm for tenants to pay the asking rental and both agents and landlords were surprised with the few tenants who dared to ask for a reduction!

Nowadays, with the growth in TV programmes showing property negotiations as the norm, many prospective tenants reckon it’s a worthwhile exercise to make an offer and see what the landlord is prepared to accept.  This is probably a good idea if they are able to move in quickly, or are prepared to take the property ‘as seen’ without any special requests for accommodating a pet, or the removal or supply of furnishings.

The only problem that then arises is when a landlord is not able to make a decision regarding the offer there and then, and comes back to us a day or two later to accept the offer or try to renegotiate.  Unfortunately, many prospective tenants, while waiting for a response, will then fear the worst, assume they have ‘lost’ the property, and therefore continue to view similar properties. These properties may be less expensive or the landlord might be able to accommodate their special request straight away and do a ‘deal’ there and then.

But fortunately, many of our professional landlords have already been through the heartache of unsuccessful negotiations and usually reckon that “a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”.   In other words it is probably better to accept a reasonable offer from a good prospective tenant today, than to hold out for the higher asking rental which may take some time (sometimes several weeks) to materialize.  Additionally, tenants who believe that they have secured a good rental ‘deal’ often end up staying for a longer tenancy than those who feel like they have paid more rental than they wanted to.

Therefore, looking at the figures in detail, if you were advertising your property to rent at say £600 per calendar month and were offered £550pcm from a tenant wanting to move in next week for 12 months, we would highly recommend that this offer should be accepted straight away.  In effect your rental income for that year would then be £6,600 per annum.  If you had to wait a further month for an offer of £575pcm, your income for the next 11 months would then be £6,325 less any additional council tax or utility costs that may be payable during the waiting or ‘void’ period. 

Of course, the negotiations can go the other way and many landlords may turn down a low offer if they know that there are other good prospective viewings booked on the same property.  Good prospects might include tenants who can move in quickly or those who are currently renting properties with us who have a good credit and employment history.

I hope that some of the above tips will be useful for both new or seasoned landlords who want to negotiate quickly and speed up the next letting.  So good luck with deciding whether it’s a ‘deal’ or ‘no deal’!
 

It has been over a year since The Letting People launched the No fee guaranteed rent scheme and what a year it has been with a positive response from local landlords after the scheme was announced in January 2011
Are you a buy-to-letter looking to ‘let and leave’ with a guaranteed rent, no void periods, and no letting agency fees? Or, a landlord with a property now needing a makeover to attract the best tenants and highest rental
Savvy landlords and many sensible investors are now looking to become the next generation of buy-to-letters.  With bank interest rates expected to remain at low levels of 1-2% and well-managed properties yielding 5-6% of the whole purchase price (and sometimes more) 2012 is looking like a happy new year for landlords.
Added to this, as potential first-time buyers move into the area and find they are unable to secure a mortgage to buy a property, the demand for rented property is increasing dramatically.  This increase in demand is occurring across most of the country and therefore, landlords have rarely found it so easy to raise rents. Locally, this is probably the first sustained increase in rents for over ten years!  Also, many of those buy-to-let landlords entering the market in the last decade will also be seeing happier times ahead as historical fixed-rate (many over 6%) mortgages come to the end of the term and they can reap the benefits from the sustained and unprecedented low Bank of England interest rate.
All good news for potential landlords, but how do I take advantage? The Letting People are now offering a new letting service with a guaranteed rent, no void periods (over an agreed fixed term) and no letting agency fees.  Where required we will also offer a property makeover schedule. 
This new service is an alternative to our more traditional agency letting schemes and will ideally suit those investors wishing to ‘let and leave’ their properties with no fuss and hassle (no tenant change over, deposit disputes or void periods for you to worry over during the period!) and an agreed guaranteed rent which you can budget for a period of up to 3 years. All this includes a free management service provided by The Letting People.
Interested? To find out more about this service, please contact us to make an appointment for us to assess your property for the scheme