RESIDENTIALlettings
AGENT UPDATE
Fitz-Gibbon
gets snazzy
Lettings agency Fitz-Gibbon
has launched a new fleet
of branded Minis that are
zipping around the streets
of South West London.
Susan Fitz-Gibbon, Partner,
comments, “With twenty years
of experience we’ve built a
strong reputation as ‘Leaders
in Lettings’ and continually
strive to provide first-class
service. We do this not only
by providing the best possible
training for our staff but
give our clients’ properties
PROFILE
maximum exposure.
Where’s my quill pen?
“The cars are another way
of advertising our services,
reaching a wider target
audience and providing a
It’s true. There knowledgeable staff at LIS are which often involves discussion quality service for home-
are still agents freed from administration and with the agent who can discuss searchers.”
out there using can spend time helping those with the risk and merits of that tenant The new fleet of Minis take
quill pens and special circumstances or queries – with their landlord. Ninety per negotiators and clients to
the Penny Black agents, landlords or tenants.” cent of cases are straightforward viewings whilst giving them all
post. Or so it This claim is borne out by pass or fail, the remaining 10 per the information they need on
seems to Michael Portman of agents. Liz Feast, of Ward & cent are grey areas, for example, a the locality. “Our staff know
Let Insurance Services who says Partners in Kent, says that the school teacher with no contract of the areas well and as a result
that he meets agents every week best thing about Let insurance is employment, company references, we’re currently the first port
who still fill in printed application Michael Portman who is “willing to bankrupt tenants. of call for many corporate
forms for insurances, post them listen to our concerns and make This speed and simplicity is tenants who are seeking
off and then wait several days changes wherever it is possible.” main aim of the LIS Board, all of tenancies for key personnel,”
for their client’s documents. “In Liz’s branches all offer rent whom have been involved with adds Susan.
our brave new world we like a indemnity and legal protection, lettings insurance for over 20
little more speed and efficiency,” landlord contents and legal cover, years; Philip Cook, Chairman, (a
says Michael. “It can take up to dependent upon the landlord’s past Chairman of ARLA) formed
a week to get postal insurance – needs. At Ward & Partners the his lettings business in 1987 which
tenants and landlords can get very property management unit put became Ashton Burkinshaw, a
frustrated. Our letting agents get the product on risk at the onset 14 office agency now part of
an instant quote online, complete of the tenancy and print the Countrywide. Michael Portman
the application online and email or certificate and policy document. MD, was at Letsure where he
print the document.” “Because this is all done at the established a new department,
In three minutes flat the policy management unit and the policy Portfolio Solutions, which he
is completed, cover is in place. continues on a monthly basis built into a £1 million turnover.
It’s faster, more accurate and without the need for renewals, the Finally, Robert Lumley, Director,
eco-friendly. No envelopes no negotiators are free to get on with one of the founders of Letsure,
post, no delay. All good but what their job – letting.” who introduced modern tenant
if there are questions? “We have Let Insurance provides online referencing and launched the first
www.propertydrum.com/
real people to talk to! Experienced referencing with a personal touch, rent protection insurance in 1988.
articles/fitzgibbon
INSURANCE
Rise in evictions causes backlog at the courts
The knock-on from recession cent of landlords experienced & Claims Department said, role as it covers missed rental
means it can take over two rental arrears between “The courts are swamped by payments for up to up to 12
months just to get a hearing October 2008 and March possession claims. One London months and 50 per cent of the
date due. Increasing levels of 2009. Of the 50 per cent who area court is taking six weeks rent for up to three months
unemployment leave tenants attempted to recover the to process requests for eviction after vacant possession has
unable to pay their rent, with rent through the courts many appointments. Meanwhile the been obtained while a new
landlords then unable to pay reported waiting times of over landlord is not receiving rent.” tenant is found.
their mortgage. According three months before the case The situation looks unlikely
to research by the National was heard. Richard Cox from to improve so Rent Guarantee
www.propertydrum.com/
Landlords Association, 44 per HomeLet’s in-house Legal insurance can play a vital
articles/courtbacklog
50 JULY-AUGUST 2009 PROPERTYdrum
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