Nakul Patel - Director at Air Blue Lets

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

My name is Nakul Patel and on my business card it says director at Air Blue Lets.

What is Air Blue Lets and what does it do?

Air Blue Lets and we are an estate agent based in Kings Cross, operating in central London

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

We are an estate agency that offers a wide range of lettings services, from short term rentals (‘Airbnb’ style management), traditional lettings (classic tenancies), commercial lettings, B2B rental service (supporting estate agents/lettings with short lets) and we have newly introduced sales services due to high demand from our existing customers. 

What makes your service different and how does it benefit clients?

Ultimately, there are many competitors in the market offering a range of similar services. However, I would also say one of our greatest differentiators for our services is the people who deliver them and the core values held by the company.

Our company is based around 4 core principles which helps us highlight some differences between our service versus competitors, these being transparency, consistency, professionalism and customer focused.

Focusing on our ‘customer focused’ core values as to what makes our service different. We at Air Blue Lets understand that all customer requirements are different and we work tirelessly to ensure we offer a bespoke service to each individual customer to ensure we meet their exacting needs and strive to ensure each customer is satisfied with our results delivered.

What is your greatest achievement in your current role and what made it so special?

Starting the business at 22 years old and going through the countless ups and downs over the close to 8 years of business is my greatest accomplishment. Successfully navigating through Brexit, recessions, COVID (to name a few) and now looking back to the business which started in the bedroom of my parents house to now operating a reputable and award winning business which manages a 30+ million pound portfolio for clients across central London whilst employing an incredible team is easily why it is so special.

What is the most satisfying part of your job?

Working with my team and delivering on our services to our stakeholders. Starting as a ‘one man band’ to having a great team around me to help support our clients (both landlords & tenants) is the most satisfying part of my job. Telling a landlord we have rented out their home and handing the keys to a new tenant who is starting a new chapter in their life in their new home is easily the most rewarding feeling ever and the most satisfying.  

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

Unfortunately with the erratic nature of the interest rates, I believe market confidence is considerable lower, so it is difficult mix of owners not expecting to see the valuation they are receiving and buyers facing difficult decisions whether to hold off longer on searches due to the interest rate increases or to adjust their search criteria as the affordability requirements would have changed from lenders versus this time just last year.

What is your property prediction for the next 12 months?

I believe the market will begin to steady in terms of interest rates returning to normal levels. Along with this, I think there will be a greater increase in new 1st time homeowners as our experience in the market suggests people are just holding off until there is more clarity in the market to make their next steps, whether selling or buying. I feel 2024 will be a very busy time for estate agents and the market.

Country house or city apartment?

City apartment.

Trendy roof terrace or traditional English garden?

Traditional English garden, there’s no better place on a summer's day!

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

Owner occupier.

What is your favourite room in your home?

That’s a hard one, it’s a toss up between living room and kitchen.

Homes under the Hammer or Location, Location, Location?

Location, location, location. But, Grand Designs is my all time favourite (sorry Kirstie & Phil!)