Simon Paul Skinner, Operations manager at LetHQ

Who are you and what does it say on your business card?

Simon Paul Skinner, Operations manager at LetHQ. My business card says LetHQ, ‘Tenant referencing, made easy!’

What is ‘company name’ and what does it do?

We wanted to go with something that was quite short, punchy, memorable and also a little quirky that could also cover a broad range of services.

What services do you offer and in what ways do you work with estate and letting agents?

LetHQ offer a range of residential and commercial tenant referencing, credit checks rent guarantee and legal protection. We also have a range of specialist insurance. We work alongside agents ensuring that they let their properties to the most reliable and thoroughly vet tenants. We take each and every reference that we deal with very seriously, dealing with each one on a case by case basis.

What makes your product different and how does it benefit agents?

The rent guarantee and legal insurance we offer comes with a number of great selling points. Unlike our competitors, only a basic level credit check is required as part of the tenants eligibility. This helps our clients let the properties faster and more cost effectively then ever before. Letting agents from all across the UK have been upselling this to their clients, adding as much as £200 per tenancy. With the launch of our tenant insurance policies, our clients can now benefit even more than before, by earning commission for each referral.
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What is your greatest achievement in your current role and what made it so special?

Seeing the team around me develop, from tech support, software developers, creative minds, accountants and various support staff. Starting to feel my creative vision slowly coming together and watching those around me grow and make their own mark on the business.

What is the most satisfying part of your job?

Simply coming up with new, exciting, innovative ideas. Thinking them through, from an idea on a scrap of paper, to a white board, to an excel doc, to a working prototype right through to the final solution. Regardless of it being a marketing idea or a new feature in our system, Seeing your ideas come to life is the most rewarding part.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing estate and letting agents at the moment?

No matter what agents have to deal with, regardless of the latest trends, market factors or changes in the law. Estate agents are one of the hardest working, innovate groups of people you will find who will always find new ways to make their business’s work even at the toughest of times.

What is your property prediction for the remainder of 2019?

I expect both average house and rent values to continue to slowly increase. I think that online agents will continue to lose ground, as the swing back to high street agency continues.

Country house or city apartment?

Country house.

Trendy roof terrace or traditional English garden?

English Garden.

Would you rather be a free-moving tenant or settled owner occupier?

Settled owner occupier.

What is your favourite room in your home?

The bedroom, there is nothing better than a good nights sleep or a quick power nap to recharge both brain and body.

Homes under the Hammer or Location, Location, Location?

Neither. After a hard days work I would rather have some peace and quiet!