Agents Austin Rees offer a complete package

When it comes to letting and managing property, Austin Rees has a holistic approach and offers a complete package

About 18 months ago Latest Homes visited Austin Rees at Seven Dials to hear about their new approach to lettings and property management. It was a remarkably simple idea but one that, until that point, had not really been explored and certainly not exploited. The concept was to offer a complete and holistic approach to the business of looking after rental and leasehold properties that included a full management and letting service. It seemed rather simple in essence and it was hard to believe the idea had not been used before.

Eighteen months on and Austin Rees is celebrating the fact that the idea has been a huge success. From the word go clients were keen to meet with them and discuss the idea that the company would handle all aspects of their building’s management and before long they were being engaged to do just that.

We returned to Seven Dials to catch up with the team and find out exactly how well the project has gone. Andrew Austin, Laura Barling, Katie Piper and Hannah Murphy met with us for an update.

“Word of mouth has worked wonderfully for us with clients recommending us across the city, and it is important to say that we offer this service right across the city and beyond. The story went from landlord to landlord, those with large portfolios as well as those with only one property to let. We really did get lots of recommendations and the publicity in Latest Homes certainly helped build that interest too,” says Andrew.

“Initially we thought we would be working with individual units but that changed very quickly and now we are being invited to board meetings for both small and large blocks, and we are being asked to canvass them formally and present this full service that we can offer.

“Presenting to the boards of directors of resident associations has been both fascinating and refreshing. Resident owners feel more comfortable that we are in control of both ends of the situation and able to place the right tenants in the right accommodation. That is very important to us as letting agents. Finding the right tenant for a property can certainly mean there are fewer problems along the way. And for everyone concerned it makes life easier
if we are responsible for placing tenants and managing the block.”

Laura Barling now regularly presents to boards, explaining the concept behind managing both the block and lettings. The whole idea has proved to be an enormous success, a one stop and holistic approach is really working.

“We asked if ‘renting is the new buying’ and the team certainly are seeing an increase in people of all ages who want to rent.”

We asked how the current market is looking and were delighted to hear that it is busy at the moment. Normally Austin Rees would expect to see a drop off in the autumn but people seem to be prepared to move right up to Christmas this year. The lettings market can be a lot more flexible than people believe and old fashioned seasonal attitudes are most definitely a thing of the past. They still report that there are far more enquiries for properties than there are properties to let, again good news for the investment buyer.

We asked if ‘renting is the new buying’ and the team certainly are seeing an increase in people of all ages who want to rent. The letting market is growing and seems set to remain as buoyant as it has been over the last few years. The Brighton market is still so attractive and offers a great return for landlords, and there is little sign of that changing. In fact, there are lots of exciting new developments in the city and these will no doubt add to the lettings market in a positive way.

So what is it that makes Austin Rees a great choice when it comes to letting and property management?

“Trust is important and we work hard to build and maintain that trust. Realistic fees are equally important too, people need to feel that they are paying the right price, which is not necessarily the lowest price, but right because the service we offer is exemplary. We also like to deal with things fast, never letting the grass grow under our feet. Small problems, if not dealt with straight away, can become big problems, and we never want that to happen.

“Recommendations have been key to the success of the company and you only get them when you offer excellent service. The consolidation of our working methods has played an enormous part in the success and with it we have created a confidence in our total management and letting package.”

Business success aside, Austin Rees continues working in the charity sector, firmly believing in putting something back into the community wherever possible.

Look out for those elves!

Austin Rees, 135-137 Dyke Road, Brighton and Hove, BN3 1TJ
01273 207501, www.austinrees.com