LETTINGSnews
INSURANCE
Counting the cost for a claim
A new software tool aims to help landlords record and value
contents and assets in furnished properties. Figures reveal that millions
are running the risk of not being able to make an accurate home contents insurance claim in the event of burglary, fire, accidental damage or flood. Readyclaim, a web hosted asset management system, can help landlords manage fixed and mobile assets including furniture, carpets and other items in let properties. Property owners are also
facing the prospect of paying higher premiums for home insurance cover that may not pay out when, as often stated in policy documentation small print, proof of contents and values cannot be provided. The online tool, which can be accessed by PC or app, allows owners to take digital images of their assets in each room, plus any relevant documents including invoices, valuations or receipts, and attach them to the asset icon which can then be uploaded to readyclaim’s secure server. The system ensures that
owners insure the true value of their assets in a bid to combat claims disputes. Tim Roots, founder of
readyclaim said: “Not being able to prove the value of contents or being under insured can be a real issue for landlords with multiple properties, as insurers may not pay out the full cost to replace lost or damaged items. “With the readyclaim
system, landlords are given total peace of mind, knowing that they have an accurate and real-time account of their assets stored on our secure server, thus removing the chance of long, expensive and drawn out insurance disputes.”
www.readyclaim.co.uk
56 JANUARY 2012 PROPERTYdrum
INNovAtIoN Homelet win award for innovation
HomeLet has won the Innovation category at the 2011 Landlord and Lettings Awards. Heidi
Abbott (pictured), HomeLet’s Operations & Marketing Director, who collected the award, said, “To win the Innovation award was a fantastic result – however, to be finalist in three other categories reflects the commitment we continually dedicate to our customers to make sure they receive the best possible service.” In addition to this top prize, HomeLet was a finalist in the
Insurance Services, Supplier and Website categories. The Innovation award recognises the supplier that has been most innovative in their sector, and HomeLet was praised in particular for the launch and success of its new referencing product, Optimum. Optimum was launched earlier this year and has not only achieved 150 per cent above predicted sales figures, but also been very well received by customers.
The increase in sales has also seen an increase in customers, with Homes4U becoming Homelet’s 1,000th customer. Kyle Clark, who works for
Homes4U, said, “Signing up with HomeLet couldn’t be easier. We signed up online and processed our first reference that day. To be their 1,000th customer is a privilege; although I’m sure there will be hundreds more to join before the year is out!” HomeLet, MD, John Boyle, said,
“I am delighted at our success at the Landlord and Lettings Awards that recognises our innovative contribution to the lettings industry. It is not only testament to the hard work of our team who’ve developed the product, but also our customers who’ve used HomeLet to reference potential tenants.”
BUSINESS
Lettings boom in Liverpool
Lettings firm Bluerow is letting a property a day in Liverpool and seen lettings rise by more than 40 per cent on the same time last year. Julie Morrison, Lettings
Manager said, “This is usually a quieter time for lettings. Typically we make three to
FRANCHISES
Martin & Co celebrate record year “Our investment in the website
200 franchise owners attended the Martin & Co National Conference and Awards ceremony in Warwickshire after a record year for the business. MD, Ian Wilson said, “We are
very fortunate people indeed because every year has been a record year for us, for sixteen consecutive years since we started franchising. We expected tough trading conditions in 2011 but in fact 23 new franchise owners have joined the brand and of 22,000 lettings achieved so far this year 8,000 are properties that we have never let before.
23 new franchise owners and 22,000 lettings!
and 21st century on-line technology is really paying dividends, and we will finish the year with our managed portfolio pushing toward 26,000.” Martin & Co’s new On-line
Agent model permits a new franchise to be set up in serviced offices or suitable home premises. “It’s proven very popular,” said Scott Burgess, Franchise Director. “Since launch on 1st July we have brought 13 On-line Agents into the brand, and we always say that great oaks can grow from little acorns! In fact none of our three current top performing franchises started in shop premises, so it’s about the quality of the individual and the strength of ambition that determines what you achieve.”
four lettings in a week but we have been letting one every day recently. Demand for the portfolio of rental properties we manage has been extremely high in Liverpool, as a result of the shift to people renting long-term rather than buying, which is good news for landlords or those who have the money for buy to let properties, but not so much for those struggling to get on the ladder.” The spike in demand has led
to Bluerow Lettings’ turnover increasing by more than 25 per cent in the last 12 months with a portfolio of over 400 rental properties.
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