Council lettings agency steps up bid to win private l...

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31 October 2023

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Council lettings agency steps up bid to win private landlords

A council’s lettings service - first set up a decade ago - says it is stepping up its campaign to recruit private landlord clients.

ABC Lettings, set up by Ashford council 10 years ago, manages more than 200 properties across Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe.

But it’s issued a statement admitting there’s been an overall drop in the number of private landlords in the area thanks to higher taxation, more red tape, and the threat of the Renters Reform Bill measures.

The statement says: “With the fall in the number of landlords in the market, ABC Lettings is redoubling its efforts to attract more partners. To grab the attention of landlords, ABC Lettings is stepping up its campaign to engage with them about the benefits of using the council’s services.”

And Victoria Henham of ABC Lettings comments: “We have tenants who are ready to move into a landlord’s rented properties and we can offer a flexible package to suit each landlord’s needs. The sector has experienced many changes in the past decade and today we are witnessing a decline in the number of landlords in the face of mounting financial, regulatory and other pressures. Our clear message to landlords is that we can help, come and talk to us today.”

ABC claims it offers landlords “a no hassle, no hidden cost lettings service – and all from an organisation which is not motivated by profit and which has a reputation for a careful and considered approach.”

Specifically it says that for any landlord who is thinking of serving notice, or has served notice, on a tenant, ABC Lettings can use its experience to come up with a tailored solution to enable the landlord to resolve the dispute and sustain the tenancy and therefore ensure continuity of income – whether it’s over rent arrears, noise complaints or a relationship breakdown.

It also says it works with a number of landlords who – even in this tough market – are looking to increase their portfolio or seeking to enter the buy to rent market.

The agency is hosting a landlord forum in the new year, in partnership with the National Residential Landlord Association.