headerAW4_Layout 1 10/10/2012 15:19 Page 1 headerAW3_Layout 1 24/02/2012 14:18 Page 1 Lettings Lettings Review Review

News and views for clients of Linley & Simpson Issue | 24 News and views for clients of Linley & Simpson Issue | 1724

LINLEY & Simpson is celebrating its 15th anniversary – and say there has never been a better time to be a landlord. When the company first launched, it operated just two offices and employed four Celebrating staff. Now it has a growing network of nine offices and staffing levels are almost 100 – making it the leading letting specialists across and the county’s most sought-after places to live and work. The birthday coincides with 15 years another important milestone – the company has just collected £150m in rent on behalf of its landlords. “When we first opened our doors for business, we were proud of our independence, of success had a dedicated 100pc focus on lettings, and put excellent customer service at the heart of “Our staff who were with us on day one and how we have responded to grow with it.” everything we did,” said Director Will Linley. still remain a key part of our team – as are the Now, with buyers battling to buy and “These three attributes continue to landlords who entrusted us with their portfolio sellers struggling to sell, the agency be the cornerstone of our success today back in 1997 and still do so today. We are says there has never been a better and, with the pool of talent that exists proud of the longevity of these relationships. time in its history to be a landlord. among our staff, created the platform for “We now do every month the total number of “We have a record 4,000 tenants registered being at the very forefront of best practice lets we achieved in our first year, which gives on our interlinked database actively searching across the residential lettings industry. an indication of how the market has grown – n Continued on page 2

Letting is Easy with Linley & Simpson: celebrating the launch of New office, new look for Linley & Simpson: the Ripon team, from Vote of confidence in : celebrating the launch of Linley & their new-look office in Princes Square, Harrogate, are, from left, left, Tracey Colman, Helen Kindon, branch manager Anthony Simpson’s new-look office in Swinegate are, from left, Satnam Clare Woodward, Heather Hyder, Phoebe Penrose, branch manager Metcalfe and Becky Dobson Bhamra, Emma Healy, Paul Borrmann, branch manager Guy Tara Cuddy, Mark Clayton, Sue Holroyd and Arianna Deola-Thorpe Roberts, Emma Knight and Jessica Burns Flagship new offices open their doors AFTER helping landlords to rent out their property to Its Harrogate branch has outgrown its Albert Street Will Linley. “The expansion is also a signal of our long- more than 30,000 tenants in the past 15 years, Linley & office and moved to a purpose-designed premises on term confidence in Yorkshire’s future popularity as a Simpson has been on the move itself! the corner of Princes Square, while its Ripon team can place to live and work.” On the back of a thriving rental market across the now showcase its properties from a bigger and better The company’s Swinegate branch in Leeds city county’s most sought-after areas to live, two of the base in Old Market Place. “Both moves are designed to centre has doubled in size and been refurbished after independent agency’s nine offices have relocated to strengthen our presence on the High Street – as well acquiring neighbouring premises formerly occupied flagship new premises. as match our increasing online profile,” said director by Salt’s Delicatessen.

Roundhay Harrogate Ripon 0113Roundhay 237 0281 0113Horsforth 239 0663 01423Harrogate 540054 01937Wetherby 586060 01765Ripon 690219 0113 237 0281 0113 239 0663 01423 540054 01937 586060 01765 690219 Leeds City York Wakefield Ilkley Head Office 0113Leeds 246 City 9295 01904York 611722 01924Wakefield 375245 01943Ilkley 816888 0113Head 237 Office 0160 0113 246 9295 01904 611722 01924 375245 01943 816888 0113 237 0160 Visit our websitewebsite forfor 100s100s ofof propertiesproperties at at www.linleyandsimpson.co.uk www.linleyandsimpson.co.uk Urgent action is needed to solve supply shortage

NEW research has revealed the current supply shortage This year sees the introduction urging further urgent action. that the private rented sector remain on a collision course of the Government’s £200m n Meanwhile, the company is is expanding at a faster with ever-growing demand. Built To Rent Fund to support launching a series of informal pace than predicted – with The scale of the challenge is the development of purpose- advice sessions across its branch Leeds identified as one of revealed in the latest UK census, built privately-rent homes, network for landlords wishing the UK’s letting hotspots. which suggests that the private and a reduction in Stamp Duty to expand their portfolios. As The findings have prompted rented sector now accounts for Land Tax from 5 per cent to 1 well as demystifying the process Linley & Simpson to renew its 18 per cent of all households – per cent on bulk purchases. for new buy-to-let investors, the calls for Government and banks double the figure when Linley While these measures will team will be on hand to give an to lift barriers, and stimulate & Simpson launched 15 years help to generate extra capacity expert insight into the current investment in the sector, to give ago. – as will changes to council tax and future health of the market, stock levels a much needed boost. In Leeds, 23 per cent of all rules in some districts from highlight which properties are Unless more is done to entice homes – almost one in four – April that will see empty and in high demand and where, a wider range of landlords, it are now privately rented. And second homes liable for the and outline the potential warned that 2013 would see the rate is set to accelerate. full rate – Linley & Simpson is returns that are available. New face at helm in Horsforth OUR Horsforth branch in has spent the last eight years who has moved to spearhead Leeds has a new face at the in the lettings sector, his the development the newly- helm – one of three office latest position being with a launched Ripon branch. managers recently appointed. city centre rental specialist. We also have a new manager Paul Mitchell joins the The 27-year-old Leeds of our Ilkley office – promoting new-look branch in Station University geography graduate, Paul Bridgeman into the post. Road as it became the first to who manages a team of nine Thirty-year-old Paul has worked undergo a major programme staff and a growing portfolio for Linley & Simpson for six of modernisation and of properties, replaces long- years and was previously deputy rebranding. Leeds-born Paul serving Anthony Metcalfe, manager of its Harrogate office. Paul Mitchell: Horsforth office manager ‘Letting is easy with Linley & Simpson’ Celebrating 15 years of as new look is unveiled success LINLEY & Simpson has unveiled a new free and stress-free as possible. important information in bite-sized n From page 1 look – as part of its continuing efforts “We wanted to stand-out from pieces – steering clear of overly- for a new home – one of to make the letting process as easy as other agents in the marketplace by complex and wordy documentation our Leeds offices recently possible for prospective landlords and adopting a brand that harnessed a that can be difficult to absorb.” reported a near 70% increase tenants. bespoke illustration in applicants compared to The new branding will form an eye- style, as opposed the same time last year,” catching feature of every part of the to stock photos or said Nick Simpson. company’s business – appearing on all images which can “On the back of another customer literature (see right) as well look outdated and busy autumn, there remains as the website. Going hand-in-hand hackneyed. a lack of stock in many with this new illustration-style route “We continually Can’t sell areas. And availability is the message: “Letting is easy with strive to improve is likely to narrow even Linley & Simpson”. customer your home? more as the market gears

Four of the company’s nine offices service through If your property isn’t selling and you would like up for the spring-time to move on, then letting may be the answer. rush when there will be have already been refurbished communication At Linley & Simpson we can manage the entire and modernised to reflect the new and strengthening process to ensure that becoming a landlord is a another spike in demand. hassle-free and rewarding experience. approach, while plans are in place our brand visually “Now is a perfect time for through a rolling programme of in this way adds Call today for your free existing landlords to take investment to transform the remaining a new dimension property appraisal... advantage of the market five branches. This includes extending that also conditions and expand their 0113 237 0281 York it to wall murals and point-of-sale underlines our Leeds City 01904 611722 Wetherby property portfolio – or for 01937 586060 0113 246 9295 Harrogate displays. aim of being Horsforth 01423 540054 Ilkley new investors to start one.” 01943 816888 0113 239 0663 Wakefield “We wanted to demystify the innovative.” 01924 375245 Ripon He added: “Increasingly, process of letting and becoming a He added: 01765 690219 homeowners who cannot landlord,” said Director Nick Simpson. “It enables move because they are “We have created a new look that us to convey struggling to sell are finding aims to illustrate our friendly and accurately, Back to Back the answer to moving on Winners 2011-2012 approachable way of doing business, and by renting out their home making the whole process as hassle- highlight, instead. We expect this to be www.linleyandsimpson.co.uk a common theme in 2013.” Letting is easy with Linley & Simpson Name Vikki Clayton

Branch and job title: Helena House, Horsforth, Leeds – Deputy Operations Manager

What is Linley & Simpson’s biggest asset? Would have to be its staff. I have seen first-hand the staff numbers grow in the past 15 years, from the original four, to the current team of just under 100. As a company you have to ensure that your human resources are trained and handled properly. The greater the productivity of your employees, the greater your organisation’s productivity Gold medal winners: from left, Sir Matthew Pinsent, Nick Simpson, Will Linley and Nikki Cole, senior sales manager at Zoopla and value. This is why we have a structured training programme for all new recruits and actively encourage all staff to sit relevant industry exams. Another golden How would you describe yourself using just three words? Organised, inquisitive, approachable.

What would your dream moment for Linley home feature? A home gym, with steam room and jacuzzi – OK, let’s scrap the gym!

What character in a film & Simpson would you most like to play? LINLEY & Simpson has struck ability to slash its tenancy the Year’ awards are the rental I was always a gold for the second successive deposit dispute rate by one third sector’s own Olympics and every bit of a tomboy year in the hunt to find the UK’s year-on-year, resulting in just 44 entrant is not only scrutinised by as a kid, so very best letting agencies. disputes among 4,900 tenancies”. a panel of industry experts, Lara Croft – We retained our title as They were impressed by the but also put through its paces at Tomb Raider the best medium-sized agent company’s use of technology, an in-depth interview and subject in the North of at including an iPhone app to a mystery shopper visit.” Who do people the prestigious ‘Lettings and mobile site, and high Peter Knight, Chairman of say you are you Agency of the Year’ awards. staff retention rates. event organisers Estate Agency a lookalike of? Founding directors Will Linley They added: “Internet search Events, said: “Landlords and A mixture of Elaine and Nick Simpson were presented engine investment and regular tenants can be confident that Paige and Felicity with the award by somebody else client newsletters make this a the agencies displaying Kendal (when they who is used to keeping very slick operation. As does this awards medal are were younger, hold of coveted awards – the its innovation, which extends the best of the best. I might add!) four-time Olympic rowing to working with local councils “These awards shine a champion Sir Matthew to encourage homeowners light on those firms that What is your Pinsent CBE. with empty flats and houses exceed standards at every favourite holiday spot? This year’s event drew a to dip their toe in the lettings level within an increasingly Egypt, for the history, record number of entrants – market and consider renting.” competitive industry.” sun and snorkelling with more than 5,000 offices Director Will Linley said: n The ‘Lettings Agency of the nationwide represented. “Thanks to the hard work of our Year’ awards are run by The Four dinner guests of your choice? Judges described Linley & staff, we have built on last year’s Times and The Sunday Times, For the conversation: Simpson as: “a great business success in this competition by sponsored by Zoopla. Stephen Fry with a good eye for detail that retaining our title – something Linley & Simpson won the Brian Blessed offers consistently high service that few, if any, agencies category for best medium-sized Dr Zahi Hawass standards for both landlords have achieved in the past. agency, aimed at companies with For the table dressing: and tenants” and praised: “its “The ‘Lettings Agency of between 6 and 25 branches. Hugh Jackman! Going with the flow to combat heart disease

FOUR colleagues have boosted family and friends, including the fight against heart disease Sue Sutton and Alison Platt. with a fund-raiser along the They were spurred into action Leeds-Liverpool canal. to help people like Katy’s 11-year- The team from various Linley old daughter, Beth, who was born & Simpson branches swopped with a congenital heart defect. door locks for canal locks as they Said Katy: “Despite advances steered themselves along the in medical technology, towpath between Skipton and heart disease remains one Leeds on a 26-mile walk in aid of of the most complex health the British Heart Foundation. challenges in our community. The footsore foursome – “We’re grateful to everyone Katy Arnott, Vikki Clayton, who supported us and helped us Kathryn Kealey and Nicola to raise more than four times our Sutton – sailed past their fund- original target. The money will raising target, collecting over help doctors and nurses in their £2,000 for the charity. They work helping the many thousands were joined on the walk by of people like Beth in the future.” Ahoy there! From left, Vikki Clayton; Katy Arnott; Kathryn Kealey and Nicola Sutton Olympian effort Staff swap renting for running is ‘wheel deal’

FORGET Bradley Wiggins and the Tour Horsforth and Ilkley – just as the de France – a Tour de Yorkshire was the Olympic torch was blazing its trail challenge that four members of staff throughout the county. were saddled with they got on their The saddle-sore foursome raised bikes to help the homeless. £1,500 in aid of the Estate Agency Paul Bridgeman, manager of our Foundation, which supports a range of Ilkley branch; Daniel Bond, lettings charities that help the homeless. consultant at Ilkley; Ross Harding, The EAF is Linley & Simpson’s Wakefield branch manager; and adopted charity of the year and the Associate Director Lynne Taylor, turned company has pledged to match Pound to pedal power as they toured all nine for Pound all the money that is raised, of the company’s Yorkshire branches in ensuring that the charity will benefit by just 11 hours. a total of £3,000 thanks to the team’s Their 100-mile route took in efforts. Wakefield, , Roundhay, n Picture shows our cyclists about to Wetherby, York, Ripon, Harrogate, set off.

On your marks: from left, Emma Knight, Paul Borrmann, Emma Healy and Guy Roberts

STAFF from our Leeds city centre and following a healthier lifestyle, office have gone on the run – to Resolution Run participants were support doctors in the fight against reducing their own chances of having the third biggest killer in the UK. a stroke in the future. Guy Roberts, manager of the The footsore team managed to branch in Swinegate, was joined run 30k between them – Guy and by colleagues Paul Borrmann, Emma Healy completed the 10k run Emma Healy and Emma Knight for while Paul and Emma Knight did the the inaugural Resolution Run at 5k route. in aid of the Stroke Guy said: “The run was an Association. opportunity to raise money for a good Stroke is the UK’s third biggest cause – while improving our own killer and the leading cause of adult health and fitness at the same time. disability. By signing up to the fund- We all enjoyed the challenge.” raising event, taking regular exercise