Gary Wright - flatfair Chief Executive Officer

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

Gary Wright - Chief Executive Officer.

What is flatfair and what do they do?

flatfair is a deposit alternative that offers market-leading protection to landlords and reduces the upfront costs of renting for tenants. We also integrate with the three main deposit schemes in the UK, allowing tenants to make an informed choice as to which deposit options suit them best.

What makes flatfair different?

We offer landlords and agents up to 10 weeks of protection against dilapidations and/or rent arrears. Our newest solution, Deposits, also allows agents to streamline their deposit registration process via our platform all while remaining compliant with the Tenant Fees Act.

What is your background in the property industry?

My background is actually Insurance but I have always been involved in providing products into the property sector and have become heavily involved for the past 6 years, developing and growing no deposits.

What is flatfair Deposits and how does it benefit agents?

flatfair Deposits allows agents and landlords to manage all deposit options in one place. This ensures tenants are always offered the choice of a traditional deposit or No Deposit, while streamlining the administrative tasks associated with traditional deposits. Agents are saving approximately 60 minutes per tenancy with flatfair Deposits.

What is the most satisfying part of your job?

Seeing the team grow and develop, and seeing more and more tenants being offered the choice of flatfair and not being forced to leave a cash deposit if they would prefer not to.

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

Lack of available stock, leading to unsustainable rent increases, with little obvious signs of improvement anytime soon, at least without an influx of new properties, which doesn’t appear to be about to happen. I am happy that flatfair, where available, at least gives tenants an opportunity to reduce their upfront costs.

What is your property prediction for the next 12 months?

Affordability will become a bigger and bigger issue and if the government doesn’t get to grips with that, I fear a massive wave of homelessness as people stop being able to afford rent or their mortgage.

Country house or city apartment?

Ideally a country house with a city bolt hole, the best of both worlds.

What is your favourite room in your home?

Bedroom, I value my sleep and I’m happy sitting on my bed watching almost any form of sport on the TV after a busy day.

Homes under the Hammer or Location, Location, Location?

Ideally A Place in the Sun but if I have to choose then it would be Location, Location, Location.