Agencies campaign to help NHS staff find affordable rental property

Two lettings agencies in Cornwall are campaigning for more affordable rental accommodation for NHS staff in the county.

Camel and Homequest Lettings - both run by Phil Norgan - have offered landlords a 25 per cent discount on their first year’s management fees if they take part. 

Norgan’s blog on the Homequest website sets out his objectives.

“On BBC Spotlight recently there was an article that highlighted the plight of some NHS workers at Cornwall hospitals. 

“They were either struggling to find affordable rental accommodation or, even worse, they were being evicted from the current rental property by their landlord.

“Within Homequest, and our sister company Camel Lettings, a member of staff recently had cause to rely, heavily, on the staff at Treliske Hospital when their daughter was rushed in and, subsequently, diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. The care that they received was, as you would expect, exemplary.

“Without these people, our NHS would fail. Having worked through nearly two years of a pandemic, having worked double, even triple, shifts to help people and now facing another winter when not only Covid-19 but influenza could strike, the last thing any of them should be worried about is…..Where Will I Be Living?

“So, what can be done about it?

“It’s quite simple really. We want to hear from new landlords who would be prepared to offer their rental properties at a slightly reduced rate, specifically, to NHS staff who work within The Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust. 

“To help new landlords, we will discount our management fees by 25 per cent for the first twelve months. Are you a sympathetic landlord? If you are, if this is something that resonates with you, then please contact us.”

Norgan hopes other agencies will join this campaign - you can contact Homequest Lettings on 01872 222112 and Camel Lettings on 01637 878708.