Elspeth has rented her house on Greville Road in Southville for many years and living overseas is wholly reliant on the services of a letting agent. Over the years she grew increasingly frustrated with her previous letting agent and despite giving them second chances time and again never seemed to improve.
With Bristol City Council bringing 3 bedroom properties on Greville Road under the scope of the ‘HMO license Bristol scheme’ Elspeth realised she needed to do something and reached out to her solicitor for guidance. Aware that The Bristol Residential Co was a local, independent agency that specialises only in lettings they recommend Elspeth spoke to us. Don was happy to explain what we could do to help her achieve the HMO license and also how we would manage her property going forward so she could relax and no longer feel frustrated with her letting agent. Elspeth accepted Dons offer and she hasn’t looked back.
On taking on management, Don appointed one of our experienced property managers Andy Peters ( Senior Property Manager with TBRLC since 2012) to be Elspeths dedicated property manager and guide her through the licensing process. Andy attended the property and found that a number of maintenance issues which had not been dealt with by the previous agent needed attention before aplying for the HMO license. He produced a report and gathered quotes which he presented to Elspeth. Reassured that we do not recieve any commission for works carried out Elspeth was happy to instruct the contractors recommended by Andy and the work was swiftly completed.
Landlords with properties within a selective HMO licensing zone are required to ensure their property meets the strict licensing conditions and then complete the application process in order to obtain the license. As letting experts our team are well placed to complete the administration of this process and it is a service we are happy to offer our fully managed landlords at no additional cost. With Greville Road needing a license Elspeth was relieved to find an agent that was experienced in this area and would be proactive in their approach to it. Andy was happy to help and duly ensured her property met the criteria, completed the application on her behalf and obtained the license.
When asked Elspeth pointed out that this was one of the things that surprised her most about our service. The administration of the license coming at no extra cost to the landlord. She said ‘I was especially surprised when you took full responsibility for contacts with the local housing authority and subsequent licensing requirements.’
With the ever changing and challenging lettings landscape, and the need to maintain her asset to keep up with the market demands, Elspeth feels she is now in the safe hands of The Bristol Residential Letting Co.
Elspeth was suitably impressed with the difference in service compared to what she was familiar with and when we asked her what she liked best about us she said:
‘Everything! Ease of communication, excellent reports on visits to the property with photographs of all rooms, garden etc.
The free annual statement for my tax return. I had to pay quite a lot with the previous company.
Andy gives me detailed replies to my questions. I'm always relieved that you take care of any local legislation on property in multi-occupancy. The company you chose to redo the kitchen made an excellent job of it.’