Do you ignore the noise when opportunity knocks?

I couldn’t help but notice two recent news stories relating to the prime Central London lettings market, published on the same day. Both pointed to brisk post-BREXIT business at the upper end of the capital’s rental market

Knight Frank’s latest report showed that the number of tenancies agreed in August 2016 was actually the highest on record, with a 15.7% uplift in tenancies during June, July and August. Elsewhere, London Central Portfolio reported that the number of properties available to rent in the prime Central London market in the last three months has trebled – from 8,834 to 24,761.

Together these news items paint a very fluid picture in Central London, with potential sellers choosing to let out their properties instead of selling, and a boosted supply of rental properties creating a competitive market that tenants are keen to be a part of. And you should also want a slice of the action!

We use a simple equation when explaining how lettings agents can increase their revenue streams by offering a full property management service:- £1,000 pcm rent at 10% full management fee = £1,200 per annum on a single property. That’s a yearly income of £12,000 if you have 10 managed properties. Grow your managed portfolio and you can quickly grow your profits!

Now think about the rental fees in prime Central London. HomeLet’s latest rental index shows average monthly rents across all 21 London boroughs was above £1,150 – with average pcm rents of £1,563 in Camden; £1,655 in Harringey & Islington; £1,777 in Tower Hamlets and £1,821 in Lambeth. That’s not taking into account the super prime lettings market. Stop and calculate the fees attached to the five-bedroom Park Lane penthouse up for £281,667 pcm, the ten-bedroom Hampstead mansion on the market for £151,667 pcm, or the eight-bedroom Chelsea apartment available to tenants at £108,333 pcm. Remember, this market is increasing in strength and there are not many landlords, if any, at those price points wanting to self-manage!

So it brings me back to the title of this blog. Do you turn pass up opportunities to fully manage properties because you don’t have the staffing, the specialist skills or the resources? Have you put a stop to winning new business because you might over promise and under deliver? Opportunities may present themselves and you shouldn’t be turning them away. Before you shut the door (or you don’t answer it in the first place), give outsourcing a thought. It’s an instant solution to growing your lettings business allowing you to reap the rewards without any of the hard work.

ARPM

Simon Duce is the Founder and Managing Director of ARPM Outsourced Lettings Support - a business designed to help small and start-up letting agents/property managers offer a full suite of property management and tenancy administration services through outsourcing.

You May Also Enjoy

Letting Agent Talk

How to Transition from a Fixed-Term Tenancy to a Periodic Tenancy

Transitioning from a fixed-term tenancy to a periodic tenancy is a common occurrence in the UK rental market. It offers flexibility and convenience for both landlords and tenants by continuing the rental agreement on a rolling basis once the fixed term ends. Whether you’re a landlord managing a property or a tenant seeking clarity, Martin…
Read More
Breaking News

Housing sales end 2024 on a high, but buyers more cautious about how much to pay for homes as mortgage rates drift higher

Buyers and sellers returned to the market over 2024 building a sales pipeline 30 per cent larger than a year ago with 283,000 homes worth £104bn progressing to a sale in 2025. This is the largest end of year total value for four years. House prices have returned to growth with the average house price…
Read More
Breaking News

£21 million to live on UK’s most expensive street

· Knightsbridge in London now the priciest UK street · The UK’s 10 most expensive streets all in the capital, with an average price tag of £16.5 million · East Road in Weybridge the most expensive address outside of London · Priciest UK properties are 60 times more than a typical home Lloyds has revealed…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 20/12/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   Why estate and letting agents must embrace innovative technology in 2025   As we step into 2025, the UK property market continues to shift, and estate agents face mounting pressure to meet the evolving expectations of buyers and sellers. The days when static images sufficed…
Read More
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 19/12/24

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X.   High street Auctions’ initiative launches to revive Britain’s town centres   This month the UK Government rolls out its highly anticipated ‘High Street Auctions’ scheme, a flagship measure of the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. This initiative grants local authorities the power to take…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Moving Up In The World: Finding Your Dream Home

Finding your dream home is one of life’s most exciting and transformative experiences. Whether you’re looking to upsize, relocate, or finally purchase that ideal property you’ve always envisioned, the journey is both thrilling and filled with important decisions. As you embark on this path, it’s essential to plan carefully, consider your priorities, and approach the…
Read More