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Tenants staying put as property shortage continues, says ARLA

Tuesday 23rd April 2013

Tenants are now staying in one property for 20 months, according to the latest research from the Association of Residential Letting Agents.

This figure is up year-on-year from an average of 19 months in the first quarter of last year, indicating that tenants are starting to take a longer-term view of renting a property. It is also the joint highest tenancy length recorded by ARLA.

Over half of ARLA agents (56.9%) are seeing more tenants looking for homes than there are properties available.

At the same time, there has been a sharp drop in the number of lettings agents reporting an increase in properties coming on to the market because they can't be sold - from 42% at the end of 2012 to just 29% this quarter.

ARLA's data comes from 527 member offices.

Ian Potter, ARLA managing director, said: “Our data suggested that tenants are increasingly sitting tight in their property and either reluctant or unable to move. This stagnation means fewer and fewer properties are freed up.

“We know that many tenants renting with ARLA member agents are frustrated first-time buyers, so it will be interesting to see if the recently announced Government initiatives such as Help to Buy will impact upon these numbers.”

Regulation Ruling

April 2013

YORKSHIRE'S biggest residential letting specialists have warned that new rules designed to protect millions of tenants and landlords from rogue agents do not go far enough

As part of the Enterprise Bill, the Government plans to make it mandatory for all agents to become members of an ombudsman scheme, giving their customers access to independent redress in the event of a complaint.

But Will Linley, Director of Linley & Simpson, which has a network of nine branches across West and North Yorkshire, said it fell short of the long-awaited compulsory regulation that would have brought the sector in line with its estate agency counterparts.

"While it is a step in the right direction, we are rueing the fact that it is also a missed opportunity," he said.

"Tighter policing is needed as at the moment anyone can set up in business as a letting agent.

"It's been a long-standing anomaly that letting agents, who routinely handle large sums of money, are not regulated in the same way as their estate agent counterparts who do not handle money at all. This bridges the gap - but fails to close it in the way many accredited agents like us had hoped.

"This plan does not go far enough in deterring some operators from providing unacceptable services and engaging in unlawful practices - behaviour which tarnishes the sector as a whole.

"Quite rightly, regulators have the power to close down estate agents for these kind of breaches - but this is still not the case for the rogue operators in the letting sector."

He added: "Many reputable agents have voluntarily joined industry accreditation schemes, giving clients peace of mind that their money is safeguarded. But as many as 40 per cent of agents have not.

“Nobody books a holiday with a travel agent who is not properly accredited and registered - but, as ever-increasing numbers of tenants are finding to their cost, this isn't always the case in the rental market where the stakes are far higher."

He said the fact that the private rental sector was growing rapidly made the need for regulation even more pressing. There are now 3.84m households privately renting in England, compared with 1.9m in 2001 - and the figure is increasing.

Research has shown that tenants and landlords who have fallen foul of rogue operators have mainly been left out of pocket by agents not passing on rent, unfairly handling deposits or failing to protect deposits

Following this week's enactment of the Bill, the Government is planning to consult with industry and other bodies before it introduces the necessary secondary legislation.

"LETTING IS EASY WITH LINLEY & SIMPSON" AS NEW LOOK IS UNVEILED

Linley & Simpson has unveiled a new look - as part of its continuing efforts to make the letting process as easy as possible for prospective landlords and tenants.

The new branding will be form eye-catching feature of every part of the company's business - appearing on all customer literature as well as the website. Going hand-in-hand with this new illustration-style route is the message: "Letting is easy with Linley & Simpson".

Four of the company's nine offices have already been refurbished and modernised to reflect the new approach, while plans are in place through a rolling programme of investment to transform the remaining five branches. This includes extending it to wall murals and point-of-sale displays.

"We wanted to demystify the process of letting and becoming a landlord," said Director Nick Simpson. "We have created a new look that aims to illustrate our friendly and approachable way of doing business, making the whole process as hassle-free and stress-free as possible.

"We wanted to stand out from other agents in the marketplace by adopting a brand that harnessed a bespoke illustration style, as opposed to stock photos or images which can look outdated and hackneyed.

"We continually strive to improve customer service through communication and strengthening our brand visually in this way adds a new dimension that also underlines our aim of being innovative."

He added: "It enables us to convey accurately, and highlight, important information in bite-sized pieces - steering clear of overly-complex and wordy documentation that can be difficult to absorb."

LETTING IS EASY WITH LINLEY & SIMPSON AS NEW-LOOK HARROGATE OFFICE LAUNCHED

Residential letting specialists Linley & Simpson have helped landlords to rent out their homes to over 30,000 tenants since launching 15 years ago.

Now, on the back of a thriving rental market, the independent agency’s Harrogate office has itself been on the move - to flagship new premises.

It has outgrown its Albert Street branch and relocated to purpose-designed offices on the corner of Princes Square.

“The move to bigger and brighter premises strengthens our presence on the High Street - and matches our increasing online profile,” said Harrogate branch manager Tara Cuddy.

“The expansion is also a signal of our long-term confidence in the future popularity of the area as a place to live and work.

“It also coincides with the launch of a modern look for all our offices which captures our new branding in an eye-catching way - part of a wider initiative to demystify the letting process.

“Central to this is our new strapline that ‘Letting is easy with Linley & Simpson’.

“With buyers battling to buy, and sellers struggling to sell, there has never been a better time to be a landlord - whether you own properties in Harrogate or in areas covered by neighbouring offices in Wetherby and Ripon.”

On the back of another busy autumn, there remains a lack of stock in many areas. And availability will narrow even more as the market gears up for the Springtime rush when there is another spike in demand.

SKY NEWS FOCUS ON LINLEY & SIMPSON'S EXPERTISE AS PM DAVID CAMERON UNVEILS LEEDS' NEW HIGH-SPEED RAIL LINK

Linley & Simpson has played a starring role on Sky News as plans for a new high-speed rail link, HS2, between London and Leeds were revealed.

Guy Roberts, manager of our Leeds city centre branch in Swinegate, was interviewed by deputy political editor Joey Jones as part of a feature that was broadcasted to millions watching around the world.

As Prime Minister David Cameron arrived at nearby Leeds railway station to unveil full details of the initiative, Guy was invited to offer expert comment to Sky viewers on the benefits this would generate to the local property market.

The link will cut journey times between Leeds and the capital from 2 hrs 12m, to just 1 hr 22m; and between Leeds and Birmingham from 1hr 58 to just 57m.

YORKSHIRE LETTING SPECIALISTS LAUNCH BUY-TO-LET INITIATIVE AS LANDLORDS LOOK TO EXPAND PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

LANDLORDS looking to expand their property portfolio are to be given the inside track on the opportunities available from Yorkshire’s biggest residential letting specialists.

Linley & Simpson is staging a special advice session in Leeds after carrying out a survey across its network of nine Yorkshire branches which revealed an upturn in the number of clients wanting to invest in the buy-to-let market during 2013.

“The inaugural event is designed to appeal to both new and existing landlords, giving them the opportunity to tap into our experience in an informal way,” said Nick Barrow, an Associate Director of the company and manager of its Roundhay office – one of three it has in Leeds alongside the city centre and Horsforth.

“As well as demystifying the process for new buy-to-let investors, the team will be on hand to give an expert insight into the current and future health of the market, highlight which properties are in high demand and where, and outline the potential returns that are available.

“It is being held in response to renewed interest in the buy-to-let market, which has been buoyed by the continuing popularity of renting wedded to a growing shortage of available properties.”

He added: “It is the first time we have staged such an event and, given the interest it has sparked, we are already looking to extend the initiative into other areas where we operate, such as Harrogate, York, Wetherby, Ripon, Ilkley and Wakefield.”

Linley & Simpson staff will be joined for the drop-in event by a mortgage advisor specialising in the buy-to-let market, who will be on hand to answer questions on borrowing requirements.

The inaugural event takes place at Weetwood Hall, Leeds, on Wednesday February 6 between 6pm and 9pm. Entry is free.

LINLEY & SIMPSON MARKS ANNIVERSARY WITH DOUBLE MILESTONE

YORKSHIRE'S largest residential letting specialist, Linley & Simpson, is marking its 15th anniversary with a double milestone.

The independent agency, with a growing network of nine interlinked branches covering West and North Yorkshire, has not only completed its 30,000th let - but the amount of rent it has successfully collected to date on behalf of landlords and property investors has raced past £150m.

Now it covers the most sought-after areas in which to live through offices in Leeds city centre, Roundhay, Horsforth, Harrogate, Ripon, Wetherby, York, Ilkley and Wakefield - and staffing levels have topped 100.

Founding director Will Linley said: "When we first opened our doors for business in Leeds, we were proud of our independence, had a dedicated 100pc focus on lettings, and put excellent customer service at the heart of everything we did.

"These three attributes continue to be the cornerstone of our success today and, wedded to the pool of talent that exists amongst our staff, have enabled us to keep pace with the ever-changing needs of clients, and stay at the forefront of industry best practice.

"Our staff who were with us on day one continue to remain a key part of our team - as are the landlords who entrusted us with their properties back in 1997 and still do so today. We are proud of the longevity of these relationships.

"We are now letting as many properties each month as we did in the whole of our first year in business, which gives an indication of how the market has grown - and how we have responded to grow with it."

YORKSHIRE LETTING AGENT BACKS CALLS FOR TIGHTER CONTROL OVER “WILD WEST” RENTAL SECTOR

November 2012

A YORKSHIRE residential letting agent is backing calls by a consumer watchdog for the property rental sector to be policed more strictly.

Linley & Simpson, an independent letting specialist for 15 years, said it was not surprised that an investigation by Which? had uncovered widespread problems in the rental market - including aggressive sales tactics and poor customer service.

The magazine claimed that consumers were “gambling” whenever they had to choose a letting agent - and called for all letting agents to be governed by the same tough laws as estate agents, with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) having new powers to ban them.

Linley & Simpson, with bases in Leeds city centre, Horsforth, Roundhay, Wakefield, Ilkley, Harrogate, Wetherby, Ripon and York, has long campaigned for tighter controls and the need to drive up standards across a rapidly-expanding marketplace.

Its Director, Will Linley, said the Which? findings followed on the back of a report by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors which likened the rental sector to “the Wild West” - full of cowboy operators and in desperate need of mandatory regulation.

“We were disappointed when plans to regulate letting agents and private landlords were shelved two years ago and welcome the fact that it seems to be back on the political agenda,” he said.

“Both these reports reveal a pressing need for tighter regulations to be introduced because at the moment anyone can set up as a letting agent or private landlord.

“ Nobody books a holiday with a travel agent who is not properly accredited and registered - but, as ever-increasing numbers of tenants are finding to their cost, this isn’t always the case in the rental market where the stakes are far higher.”

He said that landlords and tenants should check that their letting agency was part of a voluntary scheme, such as the Association of Residential Letting Agents or the National Approved Letting Scheme. Such initiatives - alongside the new SAFEagent kitemark of quality - offered ultimate peace of mind about customer service and client money protection.

He added: “One of the many worrying findings of the Which? report was that two-thirds of tenants and nearly half of landlords did not know whether their letting agent belonged to a professional body - this is something where we all need to promote greater awareness.”

Which? said it had uncovered bad practice, unexpected and unfair fees, and a lack of consumer protection that fails both landlords and tenants.

Researchers also found that both tenants and landlords were found to have lost money through agents not passing on rent, unfairly handling deposits or failing to protect deposits.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd said: “With the private rented sector now the only option for millions of people, it is vital that more is done to protect both tenants and landlords from rogue letting agents.”

NEW LOOK FOR LINLEY & SIMPSON'S LEEDS CITY CENTRE OFFICE AS IT DOUBLES IN SIZE

RESIDENTIAL lettings specialists Linley & Simpson has unveiled a new look to its Leeds city centre 'home' as it doubles in size.

Branch manager Guy Roberts said: “Linley & Simpson has a growing presence in the city centre rental market - and we wanted our office to reflect that.

“The expansion is also a signal of our long-term confidence in Leeds' future popularity as a place to live and work.

“On the back of continued high demand for rental properties, we were beginning to outgrow our original base. So when the site next door became available, it was the perfect opportunity to extend our capacity and capability.”

The expansion has coincided with a modern and eye-catching new look for the office, featuring the company's latest branding spearheaded by the message that Letting is Easy with Linley & Simpson”.

Another striking feature is the introduction of LED self-illuminating window display cards.

The branch has witnessed a surge in tenant applications over recent weeks, especially from overseas and UK students, and junior doctors.

The Swinegate branch not only links in closely to the shared database at Linley & Simpson's two other Leeds offices in Roundhay and Horsforth but also across its branches in Harrogate, Ripon, Wetherby, York, Wakefield and Ilkley.

Linley & Simpson, a wholly independent agency with Yorkshire roots, was recently crowned the best medium-sized agent in the North of England for the second year in succession at the prestigious Sunday Times 'Lettings Agency of the Year' awards, picking up the title from Olympic hero Sir Matthew Pinsent.

FULL HOUSE FOR ILKLEY RENTAL SPECIALISTS AS WHOLE TEAM ACHIEVE EXAM SUCCESS

STAFF working at the Ilkley branch of residential letting specialists Linley & Simpson are celebrating a “full house” of exam successes.

Every member of the team based at Brook Street has now qualified in letting and property management.

The feat was achieved after property manager Joshua Mitchell followed in the footsteps of colleagues Paul Bridgeman, branch manager; Daniel Bond, lettings consultant; and Vicky Atkinson, lettings consultant, in passing the leading industry exams set by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

The training and development of staff has been an important theme to the company's success since it launched 15 years ago. But, according to director Will Linley, it is now more important than ever for letting agents to be trained to the highest possible standards.

He said: "The accolade gives our landlords and tenants confidence and reasurance that they are working with a team who know a complex market inside out.

"Given the problem posed by rogue operators who do not sign up to any recognised accreditation scheme, coupled with a more competitive marketplace, it is more important than ever for our staff to be trained to the highest possible standards.

"These exams are an important way of demonstrating that our staff are equipped with the skills and detailed knowledge of the market that is required to meet the needs of our clients,"

The staff all passed the ARLA Technical Award in Residential Letting and Property Management, through an 'e-assessment'. It covers health and safety; the law; property letting practice; and property management practice.

The awards are an important step for property professionals towards ensuring the highest standards of proficiency and service for customers.

YORKSHIRE FIRMS TEAM UP IN GAS SAFETY DRIVE

11th September 2012

TWO of the leading names in Yorkshire's residential letting market are teaming up as part of Gas Safety Week to highlight the "life or death" dangers of badly-fitted appliances.

Specialist letting agents Linley & Simpson, who have nine Yorkshire branches, and Leeds-based Ignite Gas Care have drawn up a checklist to help tenants stay safe - and protect landlords from prosecution.

Gas Safety Week runs from Monday September 10 to September 17 and aims to raise awareness of gas safety and the importance of taking care of gas appliances.

"As a licensed agent, and a member of the SAFEagent scheme, gas safety is a top priority for us and we have a robust scheme in place to ensure our properties are regularly inspected and meet all the relevant criteria," said Linley & Simpson director, Will Linley.

"This is not always the case, particularly with unlicensed agents and individual landlords. Badly fitted and poorly serviced gas appliances can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Every year scores of people across Yorkshire are diagnosed with carbon monoxide poisoning."

Managing Director of Horsforth-based Ignite Gas Care, Jon Oldroyd, said: "The proper maintenance of gas appliances can really be a matter of life and death.

"Carbon monoxide is a highly poisonous gas - you can't see it, taste it or smell it, but it can kill quickly with no warning.

"By taking care of your gas appliances properly you are taking care of your home and your loved ones."

He added: "It is vital that consumers only use Gas Safe registered engineers in any maintenance or servicing work. We are proud to support Gas Safety Week."

The companies have developed this checklist to help people stay safe:

• Make sure only a Gas Safe registered engineer works on your gas appliances. Illegal gas fitters can put your life at risk
• Always check the engineer's Gas Safe Register ID card
• Make sure gas appliances have a regular service and a gas safety check every 12 months
• Look out for warning signs that your gas appliances aren't working correctly e.g. lazy yellow or orange flames instead of crisp blue ones, black marks on or around the appliance and too much condensation in the room
• Know the signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning - headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, collapse and loss of consciousness
• Install an audible carbon monoxide alarm
• If you smell gas call the gas emergency number on 0800 111 999

FIGURES HIGHLIGHT WIDENING GAP BETWEEN AVAILABLE STOCK AND PEOPLE WANTING TO RENT

RENTING'S growing popularity has soared to new heights - with Yorkshire's biggest letting agent this week revealing that there is now an average of ten tenants registered for each home it has on its database.

This is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for the sector but, for Linley & Simpson, the past month has seen the gap between available stock and people wanting to rent widen to record levels since it launched 15 years ago.

The company said these market conditions meant it was more important than ever to be a 'model tenant' as landlords were now being able to have the 'pick of the crop'.

Those applicants who were professionals in employment, coupled with an exemplary rental history and the ability to move quickly, increasingly had an advantage over those not able to boast such attributes.

And it repeated its call for the Government and the banks to take action now in a bid to stave off a problem that could have far-reaching consequences.

Linley & Simpson has witnessed a sharp upturn in tenant applications across all of its nine Yorkshire offices - with particular growth in Leeds, York, Harrogate and Wakefield.

Its Roundhay office - one of three it has in Leeds - reported a near 70pc increase in tenants actively looking for property compared to the same time last year.

"The dearth of properties reinforces what we predicted last year and, unless the Government introduce incentives or banks free up money for investors to breathe life back into the buy-to-let market, supply will continue to lag behind growing demand," said director Will Linley.

"About 15 per cent of the country are choosing to live in the private rented sector - but this is poised to grow by a third over the next few years. Unless stock levels start to increase at the same pace, more and more tenants will find it difficult to find a property and monthly rents will rise."

He added: "At any one time we have more than 400 available properties on our database that links all our offices - but more than ten times that number of people registered.

"It is a situation that is not common just to us - it is one that is reflected across the sector as a whole, particularly among those agencies like ours that operate in Yorkshire's most sought-after locations."

With the economic climate making it difficult for buyers to buy and for sellers to sell, more people are turning to renting - both out of choice and necessity. This underlying trend has risen in recent weeks as graduates enter the rental market and junior doctors begin their medical rotation moving to new hospitals.

The lack of new properties coming to market is compounded by a noticeable theme of tenants choosing to stay put and extend their rental agreements.

LINLEY & SIMPSON MOVES INTO FLAGSHIP NEW RIPON OFFICE

RESIDENTIAL letting specialists, Linley & Simpson, has strengthened its presence in Ripon by launching a new office.

On the back of increased rental demand in the Spa town and surrounding districts, the multi-award winning agency has outgrown its former base in North Street after just six months.

Now the independent agency has moved to bigger and higher-profile premises in the heart of Ripon at 9/11 Old Market Place.

From here, it will be best placed to harness the rental potential of this part of North Yorkshire, extending into Masham, Thirsk and Boroughbridge.

The new-look office will benefit landlords and tenants by linking to eight other Yorkshire branches - particularly Harrogate and Wetherby - and tapping into shared databases.

It will be managed by Anthony Metcalfe, who was born in the area and still lives here. He is one of Linley & Simpson's longest-serving branch managers and transfers to Ripon from its office at Horsforth in Leeds.

He said: "Linley & Simpson has served the Ripon area for many years through our Harrogate office and launching here earlier this year was a natural progression for us and our landlords.

"The modern and more central office - which boasts the company's new branding - forms the ideal 'shop window' for taking our specialist letting expertise into new areas."

Linley & Simpson was recently crowned the best medium-sized agent in the North of England at the prestigious 'Lettings Agency of the Year' awards.

* The Ripon office can be contacted on 01765 690219 or via www.linleyandsimpson.co.uk

ROLE IS HOME FROM HOME FOR LINLEY & SIMPSON'S NEW HORSFORTH MANAGER

YORKSHIRE'S biggest residential letting specialists, Linley & Simpson, has appointed Paul Mitchell as the new manager of its Horsforth branch.

He joins the company - which has a network of nine offices across North and West Yorkshire's prime rental locations - at an exciting time of growth for the new-look branch.

Not only has it become the first to undergo a major programme of modernisation and rebranding, but it is also benefiting from Horsforth's growth in popularity as a place to live and work - buoyed by the Brownlee 'golden postbox' to commemorate Alistair's Olympic gold medal winning triathlon performance.

And the 27-year-old Leeds University geography graduate can certainly vouch for the area's appeal - his appointment has coincided with his own move to set up home in Horsforth.

Paul, who manages a team of nine staff and a growing portfolio of properties, replaces Anthony Metcalfe, who has moved to the company's newly-launched Ripon branch.

He said: "I am delighted to be part of such a successful and multi-award winning team, and look forward to contributing to the company's future success.

"Horsforth was the platform for the launch of Linley & Simpson 15 years ago and has played a key role in its growth ever since.

He added: "Leeds city centre properties remain popular but there is a noticeable trend which is seeing more and more people migrate to Horsforth as their next move.

"And that is being translated into a widening gap between the number of tenants and properties available."

Leeds-born Paul has spent the last eight years in the lettings sector, his latest position being with a city centre rental specialist. He also holds a Postgraduate diploma in Real Estate and Property Management from Salford University.

Linley & Simpson director Nick Simpson said: "Paul brings to Horsforth wide-ranging expertise of the Leeds residential letting market and, being part of the local community himself, is well placed to offer the best possible insight to landlords and tenants alike."

The branch links closely with all the other eight, but has particularly close links with the Ilkley office with the two teaming up to offer consistent coverage across the whole of the Wharfe Valley.

YORKSHIRE LETTING AGENCY STAFF GO WITH THE FLOW TO BOOST FIGHT AGAINST HEART DISEASE

FOUR colleagues from Yorkshire's leading residential letting agent have boosted the fight against heart disease with a fund-raiser along the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

The team from Linley & Simpson swopped door locks for canal locks as they steered themselves along the towpath between Skipton and Leeds on a 26-mile walk in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

The footsore foursome - comprising Vikki Clayton, Katy Arnott, Kathryn Kealey and Nicola Sutton - sailed past their fund-raising target, collecting more than £2,000 for the charity. They were joined on the walk by family and friends, including Sue Sutton and Alison Platt.

They were spurred into action to help people like Katy's 12-year-old daughter, Beth, who was born with a congenital heart defect.

Said Katy: "Despite advances in medical technology, heart disease remains one of the most complex health challenges in our community.

"We're grateful to everyone who supported us before, during and after the walk and helped us to raise more than four times our original target. The money will help doctors and nurses in their work helping the many thousands of people like Beth in the future."

If you would like to donate, please click HERE

Linley & Simpson is an independent letting agent, founded in Yorkshire, with a growing network of nine offices across the county including Harrogate, Ripon, York, Wetherby, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds.

TWO “IN A ROW” AS SIR MATTHEW PINSENT HELPS LINLEY & SIMPSON LIFT SECOND GOLD IN 'LETTINGS AGENCY OF THE YEAR' AWARDS

LINLEY & Simpson has struck gold for the second successive year in the hunt to find the UK's very best letting agencies.

The independent rental specialists - with a growing network of nine Yorkshire offices - retained its title as the best medium-sized agent in the North of England at the prestigious 'Lettings Agency of the Year' awards.

Founding directors Will Linley and Nick Simpson were presented with the award by somebody else who is used to keeping hold of coveted awards - the four-time Olympic rowing champion Sir Matthew Pinsent CBE.

This year's event drew a record number of entrants - with more than 5,000 offices nationwide represented.

Judges described Linley & Simpson as “a great business with a good eye for detail that offers consistently high service standards for both landlords and tenants” and praised “its ability to slash its tenancy deposit dispute rate by one third year-on-year, resulting in just 44 disputes among 4,900 tenancies”.

They were impressed by the company's use of technology, including an iPhone app and mobile site, and high staff retention rates.

They added: “Internet search engine investment and regular client newsletters make this a very slick operation. As does its innovation, which extends to working with local councils to encourage homeowners with empty flats and houses to dip their toe in the lettings market and consider renting.”

The award marks a rare double for the company which has offices at Harrogate, Wetherby, Ripon, York, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds.

Director Will Linley said: “Thanks to the hard work of our staff, we have built on last year's success in this competition by retaining our title - something that few, if any, agencies have achieved in the past.

“The 'Lettings Agency of the Year' awards are the rental sector's own Olympics and every entrant is not only scrutinised by a panel of industry experts, but also put through its paces at an in-depth interview and subject to a mystery shopper visit.”

Peter Knight, Chairman of event organisers Estate Agency Events, said: “Landlords and tenants can be confident that the agencies displaying this awards medal are the best of the best.

“These awards shine a light on those firms that exceed standards at every level within an increasingly competitive industry.”

* The 'Lettings Agency of the Year' awards are run by The Times and The Sunday Times, sponsored by Zoopla. Linley & Simpson won the category for best medium-sized agency, aimed at companies with between 6 and 25 branches. This year's ceremony took place at the Lancaster in London on Friday May 25 2012.

LINLEY & SIMPSON TEAM PROVE THE 'WHEEL DEAL' WITH TOUR DE YORKSHIRE CHALLENGE

18th May 2012

FORGET the Tour de France - a Tour de Yorkshire is the challenge that a group of residential letting agency staff have been saddled with as they get on their bikes to help the homeless.

Paul Bridgeman, manager of the Ilkley office of Linley & Simpson, and colleague Daniel Bond are turning to pedal power alongside Wakefield manager Ross Harding as the three attempt to tour all nine of the company's Yorkshire branches in just two days.

Their 100-mile route will take in Wakefield, Leeds city centre, Roundhay, Wetherby, York, Ripon, Harrogate and Horsforth before a grand finish at the office at Brook Street, Ilkley.

And the trio will be joined on the challenge by colleagues from across the Linley & Simpson network, who will offer their support by cycling individual legs to or from their branch.

The ride will take place on June 23 and 24 - just a week before the actual Tour de France gets under way.

All the money raised by the team will be channelled towards the Estate Agency Foundation, which supports a range of charities that help the homeless.

The EAF is Linley & Simpson's adopted charity of the year and the company has pledged to match Pound for Pound all the money that is raised.

Paul said: "We'd been planning the challenge for some time but the company's recent expansion into Ripon suddenly added an extra 30 miles for our tired legs to cover!

"The Foundation does a lot of great work bother here in Yorkshire and nationwide to help the homeless - a good cause that is close to the hearts of everyone working at Linley & Simpson."

People can donate via

• http://www.justgiving.com/LANDSBikeRide
• by texting QPJO97 followed by the amount you wish to donate to 70070
• via collection pots & sponsorship forms at every Linley & Simpson branch
• by calling the Ilkley office 01943 816888

YORKSHIRE LANDLORDS BREACHING RENTAL LAWS IN RECORD NUMBERS, LINLEY & SIMPSON RESEARCH REVEALS

16th May 2012

PRIVATE landlords across Yorkshire are falling foul in record numbers of the increasingly tough and complex legislation that polices the rental property sector

Research by the county's biggest residential letting specialists, Linley & Simpson, has revealed that in some council areas the number of complaints investigated is now more than five times higher than it was just a decade ago.

Prosecutions and legal notices are also at an all-time high - with some landlords being left out of pocket to the tune of more than £20,000 after being convicted of serious breaches of the law which were judged to put their tenants' lives at risk.

Linley & Simpson carried out the research as part of its campaign to drive up standards across the industry - one of the biggest in the UK that still remains unregulated - and to raise awareness among both landlords and tenants of the importance of only using an accredited agent.

It comes as experts predict that a record one-in-six UK homes will be supplied through the private rented sector by the end of this year.

As part of the Freedom of Information Act, Linley & Simpson asked councils across the areas of Yorkshire in which it operates - including those in Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield, Harrogate and York - to reveal both the number and nature of prosecutions brought over the past ten years.

And the company also asked the authorities for details about how many court actions were against individual landlords, and how many were brought against professional letting agents.

"Our research shows that the spiralling rise in demand for rental properties over the last decade is matched by an upsurge in complaints and prosecutions," said Linley & Simpson director, Will Linley.

"This trend is in part down to the increasingly litigious society in which we live, and in part down to the increasing burden of red tape associated with being a landlord.

"The lesson to be learned from our research is that landlords should employ only an accredited agent - or make sure they are armed with all the necessary knowledge needed to let a property without exposing themselves to legal action and big fines.

"Nobody books a holiday with a travel agent who is not properly accredited and registered - but, as ever-increasing numbers are finding to their cost, this isn't always the case in the rental market where the stakes are far higher."

Mr Linley said tenants and landlords wanting the ultimate peace of mind should rent properties through agents that had met strict membership criteria laid down by organisations such as the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA); the National Approved Lettings Scheme (NALS) or the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

He added that the national Residential Landlords' Association (RLA) also offered reassurance as did initiatives run by some local councils to vet well-intentioned owners, such as Wakefield Council's Responsible Landlords' Scheme.

The key findings of Linley & Simpson's research revealed:

• Leeds has mounted the most prosecutions, with more than 135 prosecutions in the last two years alone. A total of 132 cases were against private landlords, with just three against letting agents. In Bradford, all but one of the 19 prosecutions brought in the last two years were against private landlords.

• Bradford has witnessed the biggest increase in complaints - rocketing from 263 in 2000 to more than 1,313 in 2010. A total of 1,130 of these complaints were against individual property owners, and 183 against letting agents.

• The biggest reported fines included £20,000 plus costs for a case brought successfully by Bradford District Council; £17,000 for breaching rules concerning Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in a prosecution made on behalf of Leeds City Council; and £10,000 plus costs resulting from action taken by York Council.

• The most common breaches which lead to legal action involved the failure to licence HMOs; not meeting strict health and safety regulations; financial mismanagement of tenants' deposits; and harassment and illegal eviction by landlords.

Mr Linley also urged the local residential letting sector to back the recent launch and roll-out of the SAFEagent client money protection scheme.

He said: "The SAFEagent kitemark now makes it far easier for landlords and tenants to differentiate between the good, the bad and the plain ugly among letting agents.

"Only those agencies which are guaranteed to safeguard client money will be able to display it. Those who are not, and who continue to tarnish the reputation of the sector, will be exposed."

YORKSHIRE LETTING SPECIALISTS THROW THEIR WEIGHT BEHIND INAUGURAL 'SAFEAGENT AWARENESS WEEK'

10th May 2012

YORKSHIRE'S largest residential letting specialists are backing the first-ever SAFEagent Awareness Week (May 14 - 20) - as part of a national campaign to highlight the importance of Client Money Protection Schemes in the rental property sector.

Linley & Simpson - with offices in Leeds, Harrogate, Wetherby, Ripon, York, Ilkley and Wakefield - is urging all would-be tenants and landlords to look for the SAFEagent logo, an easily identifiable mark to immediately see that their money is protected.

The appeal comes as official statistics show that home ownership is in decline more people are turning to the private rented sector for their homes. Experts are predicting that as many as 1-in-6 homes may be provided by the private rental market by the end of the year.

Director Nick Simpson said: "Many people are not in a position to buy their own homes and will be renting for many years to come. It is therefore of the upmost importance to choose a letting agent with whom you know your money is protected.

"Registered SAFEagents like us are able to offer this assurance, and also prove a commitment to professional business practices.

"Nobody books a holiday with a travel agent who is not properly accredited and registered - but, as ever-increasing numbers are finding to their cost, this isn't always the case in the rental market where the stakes are far higher."

Linley & Simpson is an inaugural member of the SAFEagent scheme following its launch last September, and was invited to play a role in the development of the initiative from paper into practice.

John Midgley, chair of SAFEagent steering group, said: "We want every person who is looking to rent or let a property to 'play it safe' and be aware that they can protect their money.

"The message is simple - be safe.

"Choose a SAFEagent when you rent or let. Remember, your money may be at risk if you do not use an agent that is part of a client money protection scheme."

Approaching 2000 letting agency offices have now signed up to SAFEagent. In addition to Government support, key organizations in the industry including Citizens Advice Bureaux, Shelter, Crisis, The Property Ombudsman, National Union of Students, OFT, My Deposits and Trading Standards Institute have all allied themselves to the campaign. Key suppliers to the sector are also standing behind the campaign - for example, HomeLet and CFP Winman have led the way in pledging their backing to it.

For more information on the SAFEagent campaign, please visit www.safeagents.co.uk

EXPANSION INTO RIPON

10th April 2012

YORKSHIRE'S largest residential letting specialists, Linley & Simpson, has unveiled the team to spearhead the development of its new Ripon branch - as well as a promotion to strengthen its Harrogate office. The company recently launched a dedicated office in Ripon to meet growing rental demand not just in the spa town but also in neighbouring areas such as Masham, Boroughbridge and Thirsk. The team is led by branch manager Chris Davis and includes lettings negotiators Kerry Ferguson and Tracey Colman, and property manager Becky Dobson.

They are currently based on North Street but plan to move soon to bigger, purpose-designed premises in the town centre. Chris, a former Ripon Grammar School pupil, brings a wealth of local knowledge and rental expertise to the branch - having lived in the town for 25 years and specialised in residential letting for a decade. He said: ”The letting market in Ripon is buoyant with demand for properties of all sizes and prices.

“Proud to be a Riponian, it is rewarding watching the property portfolio expand over the years. I look forward to continued growth in the future now I have the opportunity to work for Yorkshire's number one.”

Meanwhile, its sister office in Harrogate has a new face. Arianna Deola-Thorpe has been appointed as deputy branch manager, having previously been a lettings negotiator at the company's Roundhay branch.

A recent 'graduate' of the Association of Residential Letting Agents exams, she takes over from Paul Bridgeman, who has been promoted to manager of Linley & Simpson's Ilkley branch.

PAUL MOVES ON UP TO TAKE THE HELM AT ILKLEY RESIDENTIAL LETTING SPECIALISTS

22nd March 2012

YORKSHIRE'S biggest residential letting specialists, Linley & Simpson, has promoted Paul Bridgeman to be the new manager of its Ilkley branch.

Paul, aged 30, has worked for the agency for nearly six years and was previously deputy manager of its Harrogate office.

His move across the River Wharfe comes at an exciting time for the company – it recently marked its third birthday in Ilkley by letting no fewer than six apartments in double-quick time at The Crescent development in Brook Street.

He said: "I am looking forward to building on the platform that has been created since Linley & Simpson first opened its doors in the town, and taking it into a new era as demand for rental properties in the town continues to outstrip supply.

"The branch has an expanding lettings portfolio to manage - in one of the country's most sought-after areas in which to live - and I relish the chance to contribute to its future success."

He added: "I've been fortunate to learn the business from the ground up with an agent which has achieved more than 30,000 lets. I look forward to transferring this knowledge and insight to the new role."

Will Linley, Director of Linley & Simpson, said: "Paul brings a wealth of added expertise and enthusiasm to our first-rate team in Ilkley.

"We try to promote from within our existing pool of staff talent wherever possible and are delighted to hand Paul this new role as he progresses his career with us."

Paul, originally from Portsmouth, was educated in Ipswich and moved to Yorkshire after completing his degree in Quantity Surveying at Nottingham Trent University - where his passion for property was first kindled.

Ilkley is one of nine interlinked offices in Linley & Simpson's nine-strong Yorkshire network. Other bases are at Horsforth, Roundhay, Leeds city centre, Harrogate, Wetherby, York, Wakefield and its newly-launched office in Ripon. It was recently crowned Best Medium Sized Agent in the North of England in the 'Letting Agent of the Year' awards - the industry's very own 'Oscars'.

LINLEY & SIMPSON STAFF SWAP RENTING FOR RUNNING IN AID OF CHARITY

20th March 2012

STAFF from a Yorkshire residential letting agency have gone on the run - to support doctors in the fight against the third biggest killer in the UK.

Guy Roberts, manager of Linley & Simpson's Leeds city centre branch in Swinegate, was joined by colleagues Paul Borrmann, Emma Healy and Emma Knight for the inaugural Resolution Run at Roundhay Park in aid of the Stroke Association.

Stroke is the UK's third biggest killer and the leading cause of adult disability. By signing up to the fund-raising event, taking regular exercise and following a healthier lifestyle, Resolution Run participants were reducing their own chances of having a stroke in the future.

The footsore team managed to run 30k between them - Guy and Emma Healy completed the 10k run while Paul and Emma Knight did the 5k route.

Guy said: "The run was an opportunity to raise money for a good cause - while improving our own health and fitness at the same time. We all enjoyed the challenge."

ELEVEN IS HEAVEN FOR LINLEY & SIMPSON'S LATEST EXAM SUCCESSES

28th February 2012

ANOTHER 11 staff working for Linley & Simpson have just passed industry exams to demonstrate their expertise in letting and property management.

They are Katharine Savan, Arianna Deola-Thorpe, Vicky Atkinson, Mark Sheridan, Mario Silvio-Styles, Gemma Thornton, Jancis Dunn, Leanne Hogg, Anne Cooper, Julie Mahan and Kathryn Kealey.

The successful candidates work across Linley & Simpson's network of nine branches in West and North Yorkshire, which includes York, Harrogate, Ripon, Wetherby, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds - city centre, Roundhay and Horsforth.

The training and development of staff has been an important theme to the company's success since it launched 14 years ago. But, according to director Will Linley, it is now more important than ever for letting agents to be trained to the highest possible standards.

He said: "Staff remain our greatest asset and we have set ourselves the challenging target of passing all 95 of them in these exams.

"Given the problem posed by rogue operators who do not sign up to any recognised accreditation scheme, coupled with a more competitive marketplace, it is more important than ever for our staff to be trained to the highest possible standards.

"These exams are an important way of demonstrating that our staff are equipped with the skills and detailed knowledge of the market that is required to meet the needs of our clients,"

The staff all passed the ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) Technical Award in Residential Letting and Property Management, through an 'e-assessment. It covers health and safety; the law; property letting practice; and property management practice.

The awards are an important step for property professionals towards ensuring the highest standards of proficiency and service for customers.

LINLEY & SIMPSON LAUNCHES RIPON OFFICE AS YORKSHIRE RENTAL MARKET CONTINUES TO EXPAND

2nd February 2012

YORKSHIRE residential letting specialists Linley & Simpson has further strengthened its position at the forefront of the market by opening a new base in Ripon.

The new branch will benefit landlords and tenants by linking up with its eight other offices - particularly those in Harrogate and Wetherby - and tapping into their shared database.

The Ripon launch follows the acquisition by Linley & Simpson of Lets-Move.net and the lettings arm of Davis estate agents - two of the Spa town's leading rental specialists. Staff from both companies will be retained to ensure continuity, with the new venture operating out of the latter's former offices in North Street.

"We have served the Ripon area for many years through our Harrogate office and the opening of a new branch there is a natural progression for us." said director Will Linley. "It fulfils the wishes of our clients and will enable us to meet rising demand.

"It creates the perfect platform for taking our specialist letting expertise into new areas where demand for rented property continues to increase.

"We are well-positioned to harness the potential and popularity of this part of North Yorkshire, including places such as Thirsk, Masham and Boroughbridge."

The opening completes an important 'triangle' with Harrogate and Wetherby, which remains one of the county's most sought-after areas to live and work.

Mr Linley added: "Opening in Ripon will add an extra dimension across the whole of our business - giving tenants a wider choice of property and offering new landlords access to an unrivalled database operated our nine Yorkshire offices."

These acquisitions are the latest in the company's planned programme of expansion as demand for rental property continues to grow and - in many Yorkshire areas where it operate - outstrip supply. It recently augmented its growing portfolio of Leeds city centre properties by taking over two other letting specialists - Yard Properties and Mint Move.

Linley & Simpson was recently crowned the best medium-sized agent in the North of England at the prestigious 'Lettings Agency of the Year' awards.

Its other offices include York, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds - Horsforth, Roundhay and Swinegate in the city centre.

The Ripon office can be contacted on 01765 690219 or by clicking here.

HOME HUNTING GOES MOBILE WITH LAUNCH OF NEW WEBSITE

LINLEY & Simpson has added an extra dimension to its range of services to benefit both tenants and landlords.

It has launched a dedicated website for mobile phones to take advantage of the growing number of clients who are home hunting while on the move.

Director Nick Simpson said: "Latest figures reveal that as much as 30 per cent of website traffic comes from mobile devices so we wanted to harness the latest technology and develop our own website tailor-made for people who are actively searching for properties while out and about.

"Optimising a website for a full range of mobile devices gives us a hi-tech 'shop window' to market our portfolio of available properties more quickly and more easily."

Its user-friendly benefits include:

• A format which is perfect for any mobile
• Clear menu navigation
• Minimal scrolling
• The latest mobile technology - eg the ability to call or email by simply clicking, enabling our staff to deal with inquiries immediately they are sent.

As well as searching manually by postcode, the website also boasts an in-built location detection device which looks for homes automatically within a one mile radius of where it is being accessed.

Mr Simpson added: "Using sites not developed specifically for mobile users can often be beset by problems - text is too small, there's too much information to browse quickly, excessive scrolling is needed, the format is not fit-for-purpose, and menu navigation is poor.

"Our new mobile site overcomes these annoying glitches and builds on our online reputation, propelling our internet presence into a new era."

The mobile website can be directly accessed by typing m.linleyandsimpson.co.uk into the browser of any smartphone.

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RENTAL MARKET URGED TO 'PLAY IT SAFE' IN 2012 AS FRAUD THREAT INCREASES, WARNS YORKSHIRE LETTING AGENT

A YORKSHIRE residential letting specialist fears 2012 will witness an upturn in the number of tenants and landlords being left out-of-pocket by rogue operators.

In its annual preview of upcoming market trends, Linley & Simpson said that the threat posed by unregulated agents was poised to dominate a year in which a record one-in-six homes will be supplied by the private rented sector.

The independent agency - with branches in Harrogate, Wetherby, York, Wakefield, Ilkley and three in Leeds - warned it had never been as important as now to scrutinise credentials before entering into any agreements.

The UK private rented sector continues to expand as the economic downturn makes it more difficult to buy and sell homes - but it remains one of the biggest to remain unregulated after the Government controversially shelved plans to introduce a mandatory licensing scheme.

Director Will Linley said 2012 would see a far bigger focus on the importance of ensuring the protection of clients' money as well as their health and safety.

"Anybody or any organisation can still set up as a letting agent without any experience or qualifications," he said. " And, as the sector grows again in 2012, it leaves a gaping open door for more unethical operators to enter.

Among Linley & Simpson's predictions for the Yorkshire rental market in 2012 are:

• Further growth in the importance of the internet - agents will need to respond to the fact that more than 30 per cent of website traffic is now coming from home hunters using a mobile phone or tablet, and develop tailor-made websites for clients browsing on the move.
• The private rented sector will be responsible for as many as one in six homes in the UK for the first time.
• The timebomb of demand outstripping supply will continue to tick - without an influx of properties, and banks freeing up more cash for buy-to-let investment opportunities, the private rented sector will come under increased pressure
• Rising separation and divorce rates will bring about a rise in lets among single people
• As public sector job cuts begin to bite, many people will turn to renting as they move to new areas in search of work or choose to downsize and sell or rent out their homes.
• More people will follow the Continental trend and rent for longer
• The natural 'churn' of properties becoming vacant each month will fall. More tenants are choosing to 'stay put' and not move - adding to the lack of availability.
• Properties will be snapped up more quickly. The average time that homes are marketed on some of the leading websites, such as Right Move, are now at an all time low
• Rental yields will remain high. The rate of return for landlords and property investors will continue to outperform savings rates offered by banks and building societies with yields offering up to 9pc available on well-informed purchases of the right rental properties in the right area.
• Olympic and Royal jubilee 'fever', plus the European soccer championships, will shape moving dates for many this summer.

"If agents or private landlords do not know or comply with strict laws and regulations, homes can be unsafe putting lives at risk, and client deposit money is not protected - as many people are finding out to their cost.

"Research has shown that as many as one million private renters have fallen victim to scams and we fear the rate of complaints will only accelerate in 2012."

For peace of mind, Mr Linley urged property owners and tenants to put their trust only in those letting agents that had met the strict criteria needed to become a member of the new SAFEagent initiative, and displayed the kitemark which offers a cast-iron guarantee that client money will be protected.

He also called upon those agents who meet the criteria to apply for SAFEagent accreditation, to help drive up quality standards and help clients differentiate between the good, the bad and the plain ugly agencies working in the sector.

There is an increasing number of cases involving unscrupulous agents absconding with clients' money, or abusing it as a way of keeping them and their businesses afloat as an interest-free loan.

He added: "Nobody books a holiday with a travel agent who is not properly accredited and registered - but this isn't always the case in the rental market where the stakes are far higher. This has to change in 2012."

Despite the risk of incompetent or rogue agents, Mr Linley said there has never been a better time to be a landlord, or thinking about becoming one.

"Tenant demand is at an all-time high, void periods are at an all-time low, and monthly rents are rising," he said. "And we were able to mark the end of 2011, our 13th year of trading, by achieving a record monthly rent for one of our properties - £4,000 per month."

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LINLEY & SIMPSON FOCUSES ON HELPING THE HOMELESS IN SPA TOWN

THE plight of homeless people living in a spa town perceived by many to be among the UK's most upmarket is poised to come into sharp focus - thanks to Yorkshire's largest residential letting specialists.

Linley & Simpson is sponsoring a photo exhibition which gives a rare insight into the day-to-day life of the Harrogate Homeless Project and the people who use its hostel and day facilities.

Entitled "One Step Away" - reflecting that homelessness can happen to anyone, anywhere, and anytime - the exhibition features the work of local photojournalist Jude Palmer, who was given exclusive access by the charity for 12 months.

Will Linley, Director of Linley & Simpson, whose eight-branch network includes an office on Albert Street in the town, said: "As a business at the heart of the community, we welcome any initiative that helps homeless people.

"We already support several homeless charities through the Estate Agency Foundation. Staff members have even chosen to spend nights on the streets of Leeds themselves as part of a project to increase their ownunderstanding of the problem and what can be done to ease it.

"Jude's exhibition dispels many of the myths about homelessness - her striking images showing that it can happen to people from all walks of life and for many different reasons. And people living in Harrogate can be just as vulnerable as other areas."

Jude said: "I wanted to show that being homeless is not something reserved for alcoholics, drug users or any other preconceived idea of what a homeless person is. It really can happen to anyone perhaps through a relationship breakdown, job loss or any other life event.

"That is what I have tried to capture in my images - the faces of people who deal with those things every day and who face the monumental task of getting their lives back together.

Sean O'Carroll will be the supporting photographer and, as he was once homeless, he offers his own insight from both sides of the lens.

He added:"The Harrogate Homeless Project gave me the time, help and space I needed and gave me the opportunity to rediscover photography. My ambition is to make my living through this medium."

Linley & Simpson's seven other Yorkshire offices are in Wetherby, York, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds.

The exhibition is being held December 9 and 10 in the former Noa Noa shop (opposite Queen Victoria's Monument) Station Parade between 10am and 3pm before moving to Harrogate Library for two weeks fromJanuary 23 2012.

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LINLEY & SIMPSON BRINGS SIR CLIVE WOODWARD TO LEEDS!

SIR Clive Woodward, former coach of England's Rugby World Cup-winning squad in 2003, gave a rare insight into the sport when he was guest of honour at Dave Larder's Testimonial sponsored by Linley & Simpson.

More than 400 people attended the Queens' Hotel for a testimonial dinner honouring the 17-year playing career of Rugby League star David Larder. His father, Phil, was a key part of Sir Clive's coaching staff when Jonny Wilkinson put England on top of the world with his famous last-minute winning drop-goal.

In a question and answer session with guests, Sir Clive revealed:

• that it was RIGHT that Mike Tindall was back in the England fold - he was there on talent and not any Royal pressure, he said.
• that Harlequins star Chris Robshaw should be the future England CAPTAIN
• that Martin Johnson should have started his coaching career at club - NOT international - level
• that England would put their recent disappointing World Cup tournament in New Zealand behind them, and would be BACK to winning ways under a new regime shortly.

With nifty footwork that Austin Healy would have been proud of, he sidestepped questions about whether he would be interested in the head coach role after his tenure advising the British Olympics 2012 squad ended.

Thousands of pounds was raised in an auction and raffle - with Linley & Simpson's Roundhay branch manager Nick Barrow winning a signed Martin Johnson tracksuit.

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EXPANSION AT THE DOUBLE FOR YORKSHIRE RESIDENTIAL LETTING SPECIALISTS

YORKSHIRE'S largest residential letting specialists has continued its expansion drive by completing its second acquisition in the space of just six weeks.

Linley & Simpson has taken over Yard Properties for an undisclosed sum as part of a deal aimed at further strengthening its Leeds city centre presence.

Yard, an independent agency founded by Sophie Hepworth almost five years ago, specialised in the renting of apartments in some of the Leeds' most sought-after city centre developments.

Now, as part of the acquisition, its portfolio will transfer to Linley & Simpson's base in Swinegate - one of eight offices it now has across West and North Yorkshire.

The deal comes on the back of a spike in seasonal demand for rental properties which has resulted in Linley & Simpson's city centre office reporting its busiest month since opening its doors on Yorkshire Day 2005.

Director Nick Simpson said: "Even though this is traditionally a busy time of year for letting agents, we are witnessing unprecedented demand.

"Our Leeds city centre office is an increasingly important part of our business and it is vital that we keep pace with client demand by growing our property portfolio in a planned and strategic way.

"Our acquisition of Yard is a key part of this process and will help us to maintain our position at the forefront of the Leeds city centre rentals sector.

"It will bring an additional dimension to our service - giving tenants a wider choice of property and offering new landlords access to an unrivalled database across our network of Yorkshire offices.

In August, Linley & Simpson acquired the Leeds portfolio of Mint Move Properties in a similar deal.

Linley & Simpson is Yorkshire's largest letting specialists, employing 90 people at offices in York, Harrogate, Wakefield, Ilkley, Wetherby and three in Leeds. This summer it was crowned the best medium-sized agent in the North of England at the prestigious 'Lettings Agency of the Year' awards.

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SAFEagent Activity Update

At SAFEagent we are delighted to announce that we have now launched promotion of the mark to consumers. Our campaign kicked off at the beginning of September and it was great to get endorsement for SAFEagent from the Housing Minister as well as inclusion of a mention in the tips for landlords and tenants his department has issued recently: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/tipstenantsassuredshorthold

We achieved national coverage in the Independent on Sunday and the Guardian on line http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2011/sep/03/safeagent-scheme-protect-tenants-landlords#start-of-comments.

It has been great to see that number of you have used the template release promoting SAFEagent which we sent you to promote your firm as a SAFEagent. If you missed it last time we sent it to you click here http://safeagents.briefyourmarket.com/Goto/1885-16-DQOQSN. You can insert your firm's details and add it to your website. Findaproperty.com has recently covered SAFEagent and we think that their blog is great http://blog.findaproperty.com/renting-letting/protection-play-safe-renting/

We will be working with all of organisations who have given SAFEagent backing over the past few months since we launched and will keep you updated on progress.

Events

SAFEagent is getting out and about in the next couple of months and we want to meet you!

6 October 2011 NALS Annual Conference The Guoman Hotel Tower Bridge London www.nalsconference.co.uk http://safeagents.briefyourmarket.com/Goto/1885-18-M1NZDK

This is the first event SAFEagent will be exhibiting at and Chair of the SAFEagent Steering Group, Nick Cooper is one of the key speakers. If you want to learn more about how SAFEagent came about and and where it is going why not come along? The Conference will cover all aspects of the private rented sector and check out the programme on the website.

13-15 October - The Property Investor Show www.propertyinvestor.co.uk - SAFEagent has a seminar slot at 12 noon on 14 October. If your attending the show be sure to go along to the seminar.

3 November - The Innovative Property Show www.innovativepropertyshow.co.uk - SAFEagent is exhibiting so come and see us if you are at the Show.

Social Media

Come and follow us on our Twitter page at twitter.com/#Safeagent

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PETER HELPS LINLEY & SIMPSON GEAR UP FOR NEW CHARITY PARTNERSHIP

A FAMILIAR face to Linley & Simpson clients has proved "the wheel deal" by kick-starting a new charity link-up.

Peter Graham (pictured right), a lettings negotiator who has worked across the company's eight-branch Yorkshire network, pedal powered his way to Scarborough as part of an 85-mile bike ride from Leeds.

In doing so, he raised £200 for the Estate Agency Foundation (EAF) - a sum matched by Linley & Simpson as it unveiled the EAF as its adopted company charity.

Director Will Linley said: "The charity brings together companies working within the letting and sales sectors with the aim of eradicating the causes of homelessness.

"We have no shortage of staff who want to fund-raise for good causes close to their hearts and we have pledged to match Pound for Pound any money that they choose to raise for the EAF.

"This is the first time we have nominated a charity for the company to support and, in doing so, are delighted that we are making a contribution to solving a major issue that faces al the communities in the UK."

The EAF distributes fund-raising income between 12 charities that are committed to helping the homeless, including Barnardos, Shelter, The Salvation Army and Help for Heroes.

Saddle-sore Peter, aged 53, who currently works out of the Roundhay office and lives in North Leeds, was joined on his charity bike ride by friend Andy Pattison, who was raising money for the CLIC Sargent Appeal, helping children and young people with cancer.

They set off from The Three Hulats pub in Chapel Allerton at 9am and after following the most picturesque of back routes pedalled into Scarborough at 5pm.

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NEW INITIATIVE LAUNCHED TO FIND A HOME FOR WAKEFIELD'S 6,000 EMPTY PROPERTIES

HOMEOWNERS across the Wakefield District are missing out on a potential £36m windfall each year by not letting out vacant property.

New research by Wakefield Council has revealed that there are over 6,000 privately-owned homes currently standing empty in the district.

As part of the council's initiative, it is now teaming up with leading residential letting specialists, Linley & Simpson, in a bid to demystify the property market - and encourage more owners to take advantage of market conditions and rent out their homes.

The aim is to help ease the district's housing shortage as well as reduce the environmental blight on some neighbourhoods that empty properties can cause if left overgrown or in disrepair.

Linley & Simpson, based at Northgate in Wakefield, have recently been vetted and approved for membership of the council's Responsible Landlords' Scheme.

Branch manager Ross Harding has been working closely with Steve Chippindale, who is heading up the council's Strategic Housing Empty Properties Team, since joining the scheme.

Mr Chippindale said: "The Responsible Landlords' Scheme was launched with a dual aim - to give tenants peace of mind when they are looking to rent a property, and to drive up quality standards among landlords.

"It is a way of publicly recognising those well-intentioned landlords and agencies that are willing to attain and adhere to good property standards

"Having vetted their properties, we're delighted to welcome Linley &Simpson into the scheme."

Branch manager Ross Harding said: "We are now working closely with the council to give potential landlords an insight into the rental market, highlighting what help and support is available to them and indicate how much money they may be missing out on.

"Based on a conservative average of £500 rental income per month, we estimate that owners of these vacant properties are losing outon more than £36m a year.

"Demand for renting continues to outstrip supply in many areas, as buyers can't buy, and sellers can't sell.

"Being a landlord is easier than many people think -- and this initiative will help to free up much-needed rental potential. All they need do is pick up the phone and we will guide them through the rest."

Mr Chippindale said renting had an important part to play in the district.

"There are many reasons why properties become empty," he said. "For some, they may have inherited them, while for others they may think renting is a complex maze.

"This partnership is designed to guide owners through the letting process, advise on what is required if the property is in need of some work to enhance its appeal - and ultimately match their home with a tenant."

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LINLEY & SIMPSON TASTES FURTHER SUCCESS WITH MINT LEEDS DEAL

LINLEY & Simpson has clinched a new deal designed to strengthen its position at the forefront of Leeds' growing residential letting market.

Its city centre office in Swinegate has acquired the Leeds portfolio of Mint Move Property - which specialises in rentals in the heart of the sought-after Clarence Dock area - for an undisclosed sum.

Will Linley, Director of Linley & Simpson, said: "As Yorkshire-s biggest letting agent, Leeds city centre is a key part of our business. We are always looking at ways of strengthening our presence there.

"This acquisition is the latest in our planned programme of expansion as demand for rental property continues to grow and - in many Yorkshire areas where we operate - outstrip supply.

"We are delighted to augment our growing portfolio of Leeds city centre properties with those previously managed by Mint Move.

"It will add an extra dimension to our business - giving tenants a wider choice of property and offering new landlords access to an unrivalled database across our eight Yorkshire offices."

Founding directors of Mint Move, Bev Linfoot and Annie Roxborough, will now concentrate on developing their company's operations in York.

Linley & Simpson is Yorkshire's largest letting specialists, with offices at York, Harrogate, Wakefield, Ilkley, Wetherby and three in Leeds.

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LINLEY & SIMPSON SHAPES NEW INDUSTRY INITIATIVE TO STOP LANDLORDS AND TENANTS FALLING VICTIM TO FRAUD

YORKSHIRE'S largest residential letting agent, Linley & Simpson, has become an inaugural member of a ground-breaking client money protection scheme - after playing a key national role in its creation.

The SAFEagent kitemark has been launched "by the industry, for the industry" to help landlords and tenants eliminate the risk of falling victim to potential fraud.

The idea was shaped by a small group of leading players in the sector following a Government U-turn on long-awaited plans to regulate the industry, and a spate of theft cases involving unscrupulous agents.

New research by Shelter has shown that as many as one million private renters have been the victim of scams.

Director of Linley & Simpson, Will Linley, said the initiative was a big step forward: "We were delighted to be invited to share our views and be part of the small working group tasked with developing a solution to one of the most important concerns facing our industry.

"Nobody books a holiday with a travel agent who is not properly accredited and registered - but, as ever-increasing numbers are finding to their cost, this isn't always the case in the rental market where the stakes are far higher.

"The kitemark now makes it far easier for landlords and tenants to differentiate between the good, the bad and the plain ugly among letting agents.

"Only those agencies which are guaranteed to safeguard client money will be able to display it. Those who are not, and who continue to tarnish the reputation of the sector, will be exposed."

After the Government ditched plans for a mandatory licensing scheme earlier this year, anybody or any organisation can still set up as a letting agent without any experience or qualifications. And, as the sector bucks the economic trend and continues to grow, it leaves the door wide open for more unethical operators to enter.

The SAFEagent scheme - supported by the National Association of Letting Agents (NALS) - is the first step in the industry's bid to regulate itself. Companies have to meet strict criteria to be accredited as a SAFEagent and be allowed to display the kitemark of reassurance - and Linley & Simpson is encouraging as many agencies as possible to sign up.

The kitemark will start appearing from now on after the launch to agents.

Mr Linley added: "Our staff continue to hear sorry tales where landlords and tenants have put their trust into unregulated agents, and their money into their bank accounts - never to see it again. All too often it is used as an interest-free loan to keep them and their businesses afloat."

In recent months it has helped a range of new customers pick up the pieces after being hoodwinked by an unregulated agent, including:

• A York landlord who lost hundreds of pounds after the agent holding his tenants' deposit suddenly disappeared without trace from its 'office' on an industrial estate
• A Leeds property owner who was left with empty pockets when the rental agency he had used to manage his portfolio closed down
• A Harrogate private landlord who used his tenants' deposits to help his own cash-flow problems and reduce his overdraft
• An Ilkley tenant who transferred money to secure a property for rent featured on a classified website - only to find to his cost that the property didn't exist
• A Wakefield tenant who was conned out of his monthly rent in a scam where he was telephoned by a fraudster pretending to be from a letting agency asking him to pay into a different bank account

Linley & Simpson specialises wholly in properties for rent and its growing network of branches include York, Harrogate, Wetherby, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds.

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YORKSHIRE LETTING AGENCY STAFF GO IN AT THE DEEP END FOR CHARITY

TWO colleagues from Yorkshire largest residential letting agents are swapping business suits for wetsuits as they take the plunge for a charity that saves lives at sea.

Lynne Taylor and Nicola Sutton, who work for Linley & Simpson, will brave the icy waters - and flapping swans - of Pugneys Country Park near Wakefield for a 1,500m and 500m swim respectively.

The duo have been preparing this Sunday's splashdown by spending their weekends practising at the park's 100-acre watersports lake - inspired by the many triathletes who also take advantage of its facilities.

All the money they raise will go towards the Royal National Lifeboat Association (RNLI).

Lynne, who is an associate director for the agency and heads up its accounts team, said: "We're throwing ourselves in at the deep end as neither of us have done anything like this before. We both love a challenge and are determined to complete the course for a charity that does so much to save lives.."

Nicola, who is personal assistant to the directors, said: "The event has generated a lot of companionship among those taking part - as well as a lot of laughs as we try and swim around the course without being put off our stoke by the geese, swans, herons and other wildlife that land in our way.

"As long as we can paddle as well as they do, we should be all right!"

The Jane Tomlinson Swim for All Yorkshire Swimming Festival will take place at Pugneys Country Park on Sunday (July 10). The event will comprise of an open 500m and 1,500m swim and a 500m junior swim for 12 to 17-year-olds. More than 1,000 people are expected to take part.

Linley & Simpson has a growing network of eight Yorkshire offices - York, Harrogate, Wetherby, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds.

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LINLEY & SIMPSON REVEALS DRIVING AMBITION AS LEEDS COMPANIES TEAM UP IN MAJOR CAR LEASING DEAL

A NEW link-up has proved the "wheel deal" for Yorkshire's largest residential letting agent.

Linley & Simpson has teamed up with the Leeds-based office of Lombard, a leading UK asset finance provider, as the first of the agency's new fleet of 18 branded Audi A1 cars take to the county's roads.

The vehicles - all styled in an eye-catching blue and white - will replace the agency's current fleet of Minis, which have been a feature of Linley & Simpson for several years.

The company, which is dedicated wholly to residential letting, has offices in York, Harrogate, Wetherby, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds (city centre, Roundhay and Horsforth).

Director Nick Simpson said: "We are delighted to link up with Lombard for the first time after they won a competitive pitch against other car leasing operators.

"It is important for us to maintain our profile and visibility in the marketplace as the rental sector continues to thrive in the parts of Yorkshire where we operate - and our fleet of cars play an important role in this.

"Each year, our staff drive the equivalent of ten times around the world as part of their work meeting the needs of landlords and tenants alike."

Vickie Marriott, Senior Relationship Manager at Lombard, which is part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, said: "Linley & Simpson's fleet is one of the most distinctive on the county's roads and we are thrilled to steer it into a new era by supplying these new models."

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DAME KELLY HOLMES HELPS LINLEY & SIMPSON LIFT GOLD IN 'LETTINGS AGENCY OF THE YEAR' AWARDS

YORKSHIRE'S Linley & Simpson has struck gold in this year's hunt to find the UK's very best letting agencies.

The rental specialists - with a growing network of eight West and North Yorkshire offices - were crowned the best medium-sized agent in the North of England at the prestigious 'Lettings Agency of the Year' awards.

Founding directors Will Linley and Nick Simpson swopped homes for Holmes as they collected their prize from the dual Olympic gold medallist - Dame Kelly Holmes.

Judges described the company as "a thoroughly professional and knowledgeable agency" and praised its staff training programmes and the transparency of its accounting and compliance procedures which "set an example to the industry"

They added: "We are impressed with the heavy investment that has been made in all aspects of the business.

"Use of technology is embraced and run alongside exemplary customer standards to offer landlords and tenants a comprehensive range of services."

The award marks a rare double for the company which has offices at Harrogate, Wetherby, York, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds - last year it clinched the title of Best Small Letting Agent Chain in another major awards scheme, the ESTAs.

Director Will Linley said: "Thanks to the hard work of our staff, we have now been successful in the industry's top two awards schemes.

"The'Letting Agency of the Year' awards are the rental sector's own Olympics and every entrant is not only scrutinised by a panel of industry experts, but also put through its paces at an in-depth interview.

"The ESTAs are more customer-focused, and based solely on the independent feedback from our clients about out performance.

"We are delighted that our commitment to providing a quality service has now been recognised from both the industry and customer perspectives, and we look forward to building on this platform of success in the future as the letting sector nationwide continues to go from strength-to-strength."

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Linley & Simpson has clinched a major deal to let 18 properties in a flagship development

LINLEY & Simpson has clinched a major deal to let 18 properties in a flagship development which has seen a former Leeds school transformed into luxury homes.

The specialist letting agency's Horsforth office has been appointed to rent out a range of two and three-bedroomed apartments and town houses in the Park Square and Park Place development at Rawdon.

It was formerly the site of Littlemoor Primary School before pupils and staff moved into purpose-built new facilities three years ago.

Branch manager Anthony Metcalfe said: "Demand continues to outstrip supply in the area as more and more people choose to rent rather than buy their homes.

"These homes add an extra dimension to our stock of rental properties and form one of the biggest deals that the Horsforth team has handled."

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STAFF SNAP INTO ACTION AS LINLEY & SIMPSON FOCUSES ON QUALITY

STAFF across Linley & Simpson's eight-branch Yorkshire network have zoomed in on a new way of adding an extra dimension to clients.

They have been taking tips from photographer Victor de Jesus - whose images have appeared in national newspapers and magazines worldwide - on how to improve the visual impact of rental properties.

De Jesus swopped photograping Prime Ministers, the Royal Family and celebrities for bricks and mortar as he put staff through their paces at a real-life property to rent in Leeds.

"Victor's way of showing life through a lens taught us a lot," said director Will Linley. "The training and development of our staff is an important part of improving the quality of our customer service - and this course offered an innovative new dimension.

"Photography plays an increasingly-important role in the online, print and branch marketing of all our properties to rent.

"It was very helpful to tap into Victor's experience both in front of and behind the camera, as well as to use his expertise to identify the best type of photographic equipment in which to invest.

"We look forward to putting the techniques learned on the training course into practice for the benefit of our clients. This is another example of the extra mile we are prepared to go to explore ways of improving our services."

Staff from all of Linley & Simpson's eight offices - Harrogate, Wetherby, York, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds - took part in the training. The hands-on course took them on location to a typical rental property where Victor, who is based at Guiseley, taught them new skills and recommended techniques to use.

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HORSFORTH LETTING AGENT IN A 'CLASS OF ITS OWN' AFTER CLINCHING MAJOR DEAL

LINLEY & Simpson has clinched a major deal to let 18 properties in a flagship development which has seen a former Leeds school transformed into luxury homes.

The specialist letting agency's Horsforth office has been appointed to rent out a range of two and three-bedroomed apartments and town houses in the Park Square and Park Place development at Rawdon.

It was formerly the site of Littlemoor Primary School before pupils and staff moved into purpose-built new facilities three years ago.

Branch manager Anthony Metcalfe said: “Demand continues to outstrip supply in the area as more and more people chose to rent - rather than buy - their homes.

“These homes add an extra dimension to our stock of rental properties and form one of the biggest deals that the Horsforth team has handled.

“It's a first-class development with a touch of luxury that is proving popular with tenants. We're delighted to have been appointed to handle the rental of all available properties.”

He added that the development held appeal for the increasing number of tenants looking to experience suburban living, given its school and leisure links, and gateway to a range of other attractions.

Its proximity to Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and the airport was also creating extra interest.

All the properties have the added feature of designated off-road parking and are being built making extensive use of natural materials, including stone and slate.

Rents start from £600 per month and more details are available from www.linleyandsimpson.co.uk or by telephoning is Horsforth team on 0113 239 0663.

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YORKSHIRE LETTING AGENT AIMS FOR RARE DOUBLE IN INDUSTRY'S OSCARS

Linley & Simpson is seeking to land a rare double in the annual hunt to find the country's best letting agents.

Both its Leeds city centre office and its Wakefield branch have been named as finalists in the industry's very own 'Oscars'.

On the back of confidential customer feedback, each has been shortlisted as a 'Top Ten' agency in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

If either is successful, it will crown a memorable 12 months for Linley & Simpson - last year it won the national award for “Best Small Letting Agent Chain”.

Known as the 'ESTAs', the Estate Agent and Letting Agent awards are the largest and longest-running accolades in the property industry - using 26,000 questionnaires to determine the UK's finest.

Director of Linley & Simpson, Nick Simpson, said: “These awards are unique because there is no panel of industry experts involved in selecting the winners.

“Agents are judged solely on feedback from their clients, who score on the level of customer service they receive during the successful letting and management of their property.

“The most powerful marketing tool for agents is word of mouth so having customer satisfaction and confidence is important. I would like to thank all our Leeds and Wakefield landlords who have taken the time to give feedback about the quality of service our team has provided.”

Both the regional and national winners will be unveiled by Phil Spencer, star of TV's Location, Location programme, at a ceremony in London on April 15.

He said: “All agents have to drive standards higher, raising the bar in terms of the quality of advice offered and the level of customer service they deliver and the ESTAS help to do just that!”

Simon Brown, who runs the awards every year said: “Every agent who takes part in the ESTAS puts their reputation on the line. As an ESTA agent they've committed to having their customer service levels independently reviewed and that says a lot about the type of agency they are. Making the shortlist is a huge effort and every agent that has done so should get the credit they deserve”.

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Letting agent calls for more government regulation

This article was brought to you by Rentman the premium rent management software

A letting agent has called for the government to bring in more regulation, as it claims the industry at the moment is open to abuse.

Will Linley, director of Ilkley-based Linley & Simpson, stated that anyone can set themselves up as a letting agent currently, even if their aims are unethical.

Regulation had been planned to be brought in after a long review of the sector, but it was cancelled at the last minute by the government.

Mr Linley pointed out that people do not book holidays with travel agents who are not accredited and registered.

"More needs to be done to help clients differentiate between the good, the bad and the plain ugly in terms of letting agents," he told the Telegraph and Argus.

Earlier in the year, the Nottingham Post reported on local letting agent Thomas James Lettings being handed a £6,400 fine, as well as being told to pay £3,932 in costs, due to failing to apply for a housing of multiple occupancy licence.

How to stay legally compliant with letting agency software

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Ilkley company backing bid to clean up booming sector of market

Rogue property operators are an increasing problem in West Yorkshire, leaving both landlords and tenants out of pocket after the abandonment of Government plans to clean up the sector, according to a lettings specialist.

Will Linley, director of Ilkley-based Linley & Simpson, said the firm had seen an influx of new customers who had been duped by operators in a sector of the property market that is bucking the trend and busy.

Long-awaited plans for a mandatory licensing scheme were due to be introduced last year to raise standards and drive out unqualified, unethical and unprofessional agencies, but they were dropped after a Government U-turn.

Linley & Simpson has thrown its weight behind a new 'kitemark' standard to be brought in this year, which will identify agents who abide by legislation.

Mr Linley said: "Nobody books a holiday with a travel agent who is not accredited and registered - but this isn-t always the case in the rental market where the stakes are far higher.

"At the moment, anybody or any organisation can set up as a letting agent without any experience or qualifications. As the sector bucks the trend and continues to grow, it leaves the door wide open for more unethical operators to enter it.

"More needs to be done to help clients differentiate between the good, the bad and the plain ugly in terms of letting agents," said Mr Linley.

"A kitemark-style standard and publicity campaign would help achieve this, giving landlords and tenants ultimate peace of mind in knowing that their money was safeguarded."

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WARNING AS ROGUE RENTAL AGENTS LEAVE YORKSHIRE TENANTS AND LANDLORDS OUT OF POCKET

LANDLORDS and tenants across Yorkshire continue to be left out of pocket by rogue letting agencies after plans to clean up the industry were ditched by the Government.

Rental specialists Linley & Simpson are reporting a rise in the number of new customers who have switched to them having previously fallen victim to uncontrolled agents or unscrupulous private landlords.

Now the company with offices in York, Harrogate, Wetherby, Ilkley, Wakefield and three across Leeds - is warning the county's growing number of rental property owners and tenants not to leave themselves exposed.

Never has it been more important than now, it says, to go through accredited agents who follow strict guidelines and work within stringent standards laid down by professional bodies such as ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) or NALS (National Approved Letting Scheme).

Director Will Linley said: "Nobody books a holiday with a travel agent who is not properly accredited and registered - but this isn't always the case in the rental market where the stakes are far higher.

"At the moment, anybody or any organisation can set up as a letting agent without any experience or qualifications as landlords and tenants are still finding to their cost. And, as the sector bucks the economic trend and continues to grow, it leaves the door wide open for more unethical operators to enter it.

"Our staff continue to hear sorry tales where landlords and tenants have put their trust into unregulated agents, and their money into their bank accounts - regrettably never to see it again. All too often it is used as an interest-free loan to keep them and their businesses afloat."

Linley & Simpson has helped a range of new customers pick up the pieces after being hoodwinked by an unregulated agent, including:

• A York landlord who lost hundreds of pounds after the agent holding his tenants deposit suddenly disappeared without trace from its 'office' on an industrial estate.
• A Leeds property owner who was left with empty pockets when the rental agency he had used to manage his portfolio closed down.
• A Harrogate private landlord who used his tenants deposits to help his own cash-flow problems and reduce his overdraft.
• An Ilkley tenant who transferred money to secure a property for rent featured on a classified website only to find to his cost that the property didn't exist.
• A Wakefield tenant who was conned out of his monthly rent in a scam where he was telephoned by a fraudster pretending to be from a letting agency asking him to pay into a different bank account.

Long-awaited plans to clean up the sector by introducing a mandatory licensing scheme were set to come into force last year, with the twin aim of raising standards and driving out unqualified, unethical and unprofessional agencies. But they were dropped after a Government U-turn, leaving agents to explore new ways of policing the sector themselves.

Linley & Simpson is throwing its support behind the launch of a new 'kitemark' standard, which would easily define those managing agents who abide by all the current legislation, including the protection of client money and the holding of professional indemnity insurance, and are judged to operate to the highest standards.

It is drawing upon its expertise to work with other leading letting agents and ARLA to take forward the initiative further, with a launch planned later this year.

"More needs to be done to help clients differentiate between the good, the bad and the plain ugly in terms of letting agents. A kitemark-style standard and high-profile publicity campaign would help achieve this, giving landlords and tenants ultimate peace of mind in knowing that their money was safeguarded," said Mr Linley.

Other benefits of using regulated agents are that they offer a right of redress via The Property Ombudsman; they also have to offer a proper complaints procedure and ARLA agents have to comply with the ARLA code of conduct; client accounts are audited annually; and they have to have Client Money Protection (insurance against fraudulent accounting).

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THE EX-FACTOR TRIGGERS RISE IN YORKSHIRE RENTAL DEMAND

A YORKSHIRE residential letting agency has dubbed it the Ex-Factor the latest reason for a surge in demand for homes to rent.

Linley & Simpson has this month seen the number of live applicants on its database searching for properties to let rise to more than 3,200, the highest total in its 12-year history.

With available stock running at the 400-mark, this equates to an average of eight tenants chasing each property.

The company cites a rising number of relationship breakdowns as a major reason for this situation alongside the continuing difficulties in buying a property and securing a mortgage in the current economic climate.

Director Nick Simpson said: It's a noticeable trend and one which, sadly, our staff are dealing with more and more often as they do their best to find a solution for the parties concerned.

We call it the Ex-Factor and it seems to peak at this time of year. Many couples in relationship difficulties have tended to stay together for the sake of their children during the long summer holidays, and start of the new school term.

But with those pressures now behind them, they are deciding that now is the time to split up and try to move on which ultimately leads to one of them moving out.

In most cases it is about trying to help one of them find a new home to rent, but in some cases it can also involve letting out the property they shared.

However, the companys network of offices which include York, Harrogate, Wetherby, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds also pinpoint a number of more positive factors for the record rise in rental demand.

A surge in the number of overseas students sponsored by their Government notably from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar - choosing Leeds in particular as a place to study and live has also buoyed the market.

So too has the number of new graduates taking the first step on the career ladder after leaving university in the summer.

The growing popularity of rent-to-buy schemes, which give people struggling to buy a property an opportunity to save for a deposit, is attracting more applicants.

Mr Simpson added: We should also not lose sight of the fact that the number of new couples looking to move in together also forms a large element of our client base, so our staff are well versed in dealing with both ends of the relationship spectrum.

The key issue now facing the market is trying to meet this demand and we are constantly working with landlords to increase our stock levels and explore ways in which they can expand their portfolio.

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LETTING AGENT CALLS FOR BANK ACTION AS YORKSHIRE RENTAL MARKET IS POISED FOR A CHALLENGING 2011

YORKSHIRE residential letting specialists Linley & Simpson is warning that the market will face unprecedented challenges in 2011 unless more rental properties become available.

New figures reveal that on average a record nine applicants are registered for every home it has on its database and it is predicting that this gap will widen as more and more people turn to the benefits of renting.

And viewings on rental properties are already up 300pc in January compared to December as a record number of people make it a New Year's resolution to seek a home which they can let.

The agency which has offices in Harrogate, Wetherby, York, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds is calling on banks to free up more funds to enable investors to develop their buy-to-let portfolios, and Government to launch initiatives to encourage more investment into the Private Rented Sector (PRS).

The PRS has an increasingly important part to play in the future of housing in the UK. With more and more people excluded for home ownership and a reduction in availability of social housing, the PRS is predicted to increase from 14% to 17% of overall housing within the next five years. At a time when there is very little supply of new properties into the PRS, the rental market is going to come under ever increasing pressure.

The British love affair with home ownership seems to be over buyers can't buy and sellers can't sell and renting has come to the forefront of the property market, said director Will Linley.

The situation is a ticking timebomb that is unprecedented in our 13-year history. Unless there is an influx of extra properties to satisfy this demand, it's inevitable that the market will find itself stretched towards crisis point later this year.

He added: Overcoming the current shortage of properties is the biggest challenge that the market has faced but it is not something that it can solve on its own. The Government and the banks need to recognise and work with the PRS to help find solutions.

There has never been a better time to be a landlord, or thinking about becoming one tenant demand is at an all-time high, void periods are at an all-time low, and monthly rents are rising. There is no shortage of incentives for landlords to invest.

Among Linley & Simpsons predictions for the Yorkshire rental market in 2011 are:

The number of tenants will continue to rise month-by-month - on the back of tighter mortgage lending, falling house prices and rising job insecurity, especially in the public sector. This will be particularly the case among younger people. The average age of a first-time buyer is set to reach 43 years and the average deposit required for house purchase soaring past the £30,000 mark. Rising divorce rates will also see a rise in lets among single people.

Monthly rents for properties in sought-after areas will continue to increase. Increases of between 5% and 10% are likely to be more commonplace, although it is unlikely that 'sealed bids', which have controversially returned to some parts of the UK, will be witnessed in Yorkshire.

More people will follow the Continental trend and rent for longer. The agency reports a rise in the number of people seeking the security of long-terms lets. Although UK home ownership has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years, it is still around 50 per cent higher than countries such as Germany, where renting is the norm rather than the exception.

The natural 'churn' of properties becoming vacant each month will fall. More tenants are choosing to 'stay put' and not move adding to the lack of availability. Out of a portfolio of several hundred properties, one branch reported just one changeover of tenancy last month.

Properties will be snapped up more quickly. The average time that homes are marketed on some of the leading websites, such as Right Move, are now at an all time low. This will ensure that costly void periods for landlords, when their properties are un-let, are virtually non-existent.

Rental yields will remain high. The rate of return for landlords and property investors will continue to outperform savings rates offered by banks and building societies with yields offering up to 9pc available on well-informed purchases of the right rental properties in the right area.

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JON SURVIVES FUND-RAISING CHALLENGE ON ILKLEY MOOR BAHT'AT - BUT WITH CRASH HELMET!

A YORKSHIRE letting agent has scaled new heights in his bid to help a nine-year-old boy with cerebral palsy walk independently for the first time.

Jon Graham, who works for residential letting specialists Linley & Simpson, took part in a challenge on Ilkley Moor baht'at - but with a safety helmet as he abseiled down the landmark Cow and Calf rocks.

Thirty-year-old Jon, manager of Linley & Simpson's branch in Brook Street, Ilkley, joined other agents from across the town in raising money to help send Ben Smithson to America for life-changing surgery.

Jon said: "The Ilkley community is doing what it can to help Ben and his family fulfil their dream and raise the £45,000 needed to pay for this specialist surgery.

"Letting and estate agents in the town decided to rally round Ben's Wish To Walk campaign by taking part in a sponsored abseil down one of Ilkley's most famous attractions.

"It was the first time I have done an abseil and the weather made it quite a daunting experience as it got quite wild standing at the top looking down.

"I've stood at the top of the rocks many times to admire the beautiful views. The abseil was just as breathtaking - but for different reasons!"

The Cow and Calf is a large rock formation and is so named because one is large, with the smaller one sitting close to it, like a cow and calf. Legend has it that there was once also a "bull", but that was quarried for stone during the spa town boom Ilkley was part of in the 19th century. However, none of the local historians has provided any evidence of the bull's existence.

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LETTING SPECIALISTS STRENGTHEN SENIOR TEAM WITH PROMOTIONS

YORKSHIRE residential letting specialists Linley & Simpson has strengthened its senior management team by promoting three of its longest-serving managers to the newly-created posts of Associate Directors.

Nick Barrow, manager of the company-s Roundhay office; Lynne Taylor, its accounts manager; and Gemma Thornton, its systems, training and compliance manager share more than 30 years- experience working for Linley & Simpson.

Launched with just one office and two staff 13 years ago, the company has grown in tandem with the expansion of the rental property market and now employs more than 80 staff across eight offices - York, Harrogate, Wetherby, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds.

The promotions come at a time when demand for properties to let has reached its highest level in the company-s history - with an average of eight tenants for every available property.

"Staff are our greatest asset and these promotions recognise the significant contributions that Nick, Lynne and Gemma have made to the company-s success," said director Nick Simpson.

"As well as maintaining their important day-to-day roles, all three will play a greater part in shaping the future direction of the company at a strategic level."

Fellow founding director Will Linley said: -They bring to the new posts a wealth of expertise from their own specialist areas of the business -the letting of properties; the management of client accounts; and the continuing development of our staff.

"We want to draw upon this sector knowledge to ensure we stay at the forefront of residential lettings in Yorkshire, and build on recent national awards such as being crowned -Best Small Chain- in the whole of the UK - an honour in which we take great pride as it was based totally on independent client feedback."

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LETTING SPECIALISTS PLAN TO BUILD ON STAFF EXAM SUCCESS

AT Yorkshire-s biggest residential letting specialists, there is a lot more going on at the moment than the rent.

For a further 15 staff working for Linley & Simpson have just passed industry exams to demonstrate their expertise in letting and property management.

The success comes as the company marks the end of its 12th year in business with a record month for properties let - a further sign of the strength of the market as more people choose to rent rather than buy.

The successful candidates work across Linley & Simpson's network of eight branches in West and North Yorkshire, which includes York, Harrogate, Wetherby, Ilkley, Wakefield and three in Leeds - the city centre, Roundhay and Horsforth.

The training and development of staff has been an important theme to the company's success since it launched 12 years ago. But, according to director Will Linley, it is now more important than ever for letting agents to be trained to the highest possible standards.

Director Will Linley said: "Staff remain our greatest asset and we have set ourselves the challenging target of passing all 75 of them in these exams over the next few years.

"With the proposed licensing of agents and landlords coming ever closer, coupled with a more competitive marketplace, it is more important than ever for staff to be trained to the highest possible standards.

"These exams are an important way of demonstrating that our staff are equipped with the skills and detailed knowledge of the market that is required to meet the needs of our clients, "

The staff all passed the ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents) Technical Award in Residential Letting and Property Management, through an 'e-assessment. It covers health and safety; the law; property letting practice; and property management practice.

ARLA's Ruth Lilley said: "Linley & Simpson staff have excelled in passing these awards. The company is a great believer in both professionalism, and training and developing staff, so we are not surprised that 15 candidates have passed in one go.

"The awards are an important step for property professionals towards ensuring the highest standards of proficiency and service for customers."

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YORKSHIRE LETTINGS AGENCY RUN UP FUNDS TO BOOST CANCER CHARITY

STAFF from Yorkshire-s biggest residential lettings specialists are in the pink after raising £750 for charity.

Six colleagues from Linley & Simpson decided to take part in Cancer Research UK's 'Race for Life' after their lives were touched by family or friends being diagnosed with the disease.

The team successfully completed the 5k run around the Leeds Road playing fields in Huddersfield.

Accounts manager Lynne Taylor, based at Linley & Simpson's head office in Street Lane, Leeds, said: "I took part in the event in memory of three close friends whom I have lost to cancer all under the age of 45, and who have left behind children and partners.

"Some of the team were spurred on into running for similar reasons, while others knew of people who had suffered from cancer but had beaten it.

"The aim was to raise as much money and awareness as possible. It was a great day out for all of us, and our own family and friends who turned up to support and cheer us on."

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Yorkshire Lettings Agent Unveils List of Baa-rmy Tenant Requests

WHEN staff at a Yorkshire residential letting agent carried out a routine inspection of one of its rented properties, it soon became apparent why their tenant was looking rather 'sheepish'.

For wandering about inside the lounge of the home in Wakefield was a lamb - nicknamed 'Lady Baa Baa' - sporting a pair of giant underpants.

"When asked what the animal was doing, the tenant replied straight-faced that she had a big garden to maintain and it was cheaper than buying a lawnmower," said Nick Simpson, Director of Linley & Simpson.

The episode is just one of a number of strange and funny incidents that staff at the company's network of eight Yorkshire offices have been asked to deal with over the past 12 months.

Other bizarre requests have included:

• A tenant in Horsforth, Leeds, saying it was too dark on the street outside and could Linley & Simpson arrange for the council to put up extra streetlights
• A Leeds city centre client claiming he was allergic to central heating
• An Ilkley resident asking for urgent help to remove a worm from a cellar
• A pregnant Harrogate woman asking for a bath to be installed in her property - 'otherwise the hospital won't admit me when I go into labour'
• A York man who claimed that the carpets in his property triggered panic attacks and asked for their removal
• A Wetherby tenant complaining about the smell of the person living next door

"We have completed more than 25,000 lets since launching the business 12 years ago so nothing should really surprise us any more - but it does," said Mr Simpson.

"These incidents and requests show that there is never a dull moment in the life of a letting agent. Dealing with tenants' requests - however bizarre they may seem - is an important part of the job and one which all our staff are trained to do well."

The company has three offices in Leeds as well as in York, Harrogate, Ilkley, Wetherby and Wakefield. It was recently crowned 'Best Small Letting Agency Chain' in the UK at the property industry's 'Oscars'.

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Customers vote Linley & Simpson as best in UK at industry's 'oscars'

YORKSHIRE'S Linley & Simpson has been crowned "Best Small Letting Agent Chain" in the UK - following feedback from their customers.

The specialist letting agency, which has offices in York, Harrogate, Wetherby, Wakefield, Ilkley and three in Leeds, was handed the coveted title by Phil Spencer, star of TV's Location, Location.

Known as the 'ESTAs', the Estate Agent and Letting Agent awards are the largest and longest-running accolades in the property industry - using 60,000 questionnaires to determine the UK's finest.

They are unique because there is no panel of industry experts involved in selecting the winners.

Agents are judged by their clients, who score on the level of customer service they receive during the successful letting and management of their property.

Will Linley, Director of Linley & Simpson, said: "The most powerful marketing tool for agents is word of mouth so having customer satisfaction and confidence is important.

"Winning agents have the satisfaction of knowing they have been voted "the best" by the people who count the most - our customers.

"We pride ourselves on providing the very highest levels of service to our clients and this award is a great reflection on our 80 staff, and the training schemes we have in place to ensure their market knowledge and customer services is second to none."

Phil Spencer added: "The great thing about the ESTAs is that they are not about how well you write your submission, or how well you answer questions in a telephone interview, but about the important things agents do every day.

"These awards help agencies to focus on customer service level ensuring that staff follow standards of efficiency, good communication and transparency that differentiate the exceptional agent from the ordinary one."

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Linley & Simpson Unveils New-look City Centre Office
In Vote Of Confidence For Rental Market

LINLEY & Simpson has handed the thriving residential lettings market in Leeds city centre a new vote of confidence - by giving its Swinegate office a major makeover.

The facelift comes as demand for quality properties in and around the city centre continues to soar - ahead of what is traditionally the busiest time of the year for lettings.

Linley & Simpson is Yorkshire's biggest residential letting specialists and the new-look office is one of eight in a growing network of branches which also include Roundhay, Horsforth, Wetherby, Harrogate, York, Ilkley and Wakefield.

Leeds city centre branch manager Gaynor Barratt said the improvements heralded the start of an exciting new era for the office.

"We have given the branch a modern and striking new look - but the same high levels of customer service remain," she said.

"Since launching in the city centre five years ago, we have seen a year-on-year increase in the number of lets achieved.

"The market remains very strong and the investment we have made in revamping the office, harnessing the latest technology, and taking on extra staff members is a clear signal of our confidence in its future."

"The appeal of letting over buying continues to gather pace, and the attraction of living in Leeds - which tops so many polls for being the UK-s best city - shows no signs of abating. It's a winning formula for so many."

The lure of 'the Leeds experience' is shared by many tenants - including the regular influx of graduates taking their first step on the career ladder, and other young professionals and relocating businessmen and women.

Fewer empty properties are coming to market in the city centre as some tenants are staying longer. However, Linley & Simpson boasts the biggest market share of available properties in the city centre, ensuring a choice of homes for tenants.

However, as the peak summer time approaches, this is likely to change as demand threatens to outstrip supply in some key developments - especially with continuing difficulties in obtaining a mortgage.

The office adds an extra dimension for both clients and landlords by linking in to a shared database across the Linley & Simpson network. Currently, it hosts a record 2,000 potential tenants awaiting properties.

As part of its ongoing programme of improvements to customers, the relaunch of the Leeds city centre office coincides with the unveiling of Linley & Simpson's new look website which customers can access via a touch-screen.

If you are a landlord with properties to rent, or a tenant wanting a first-hand insight into homes that are available to let, then why not see the new-look office and call by for a coffee and meet the team.

Linley & Simpson-s office at 16 Swinegate, Leeds, LS1 4AG can be found opposite the Malmaison Hotel. Telephone 0113 246 9295. Email city@linleyandsimpson.co.uk

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Linley & Simpson Joins The Globrix Revolution

Linley & Simpson has become the latest company to join a new property search website that's taking the house-hunting market by storm.

All of the properties on Linley & Simpson's books will now be available via www.globrix.com, opening them up to a massive nationwide audience.

Globrix is a new type of internet property search engine. It has one of the largest indexes of properties of any site and lets users search for homes by a huge range of criteria. On a normal property search site you're restricted to looking for homes by just price, location and number of bedrooms. Globrix changes all this and lets you refine your search to look for specific features (such as wooden floors or swimming pools), particular house types (such as bungalow or Victorian house) or even things like type of outdoor space or proximity to schools.

By joining Globrix, Linley & Simpson is offering all of its sellers a new way of getting their property in front of thousands of potential buyers.

Daniel Lee, the CEO of Globrix, said: "It's great to have Linley & Simpson on board - by joining the Globrix community they're becoming part of a new service that's going to revolutionise the way people look for homes. By including their properties in the Globrix search engine, Linley & Simpson are making sure that they and their clients are making the most of the Internet when it comes to selling their homes - something that every seller needs to be sure of if they want to get the best price!"

A spokesperson for Linley & Simpson, said: "Globrix is really shaking up the online property market and we realised that it was important that our clients get the benefit of what they're offering. Our vendors are highly impressed with the way properties are displayed, and we are delighted that users can now directly access our own very successful website either by clicking on the individual property or the Linley & Simpson banner advert. "

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“Landlords and Tenants Begin to Understand Deposit Protection ”

Landlords and tenants in the Private Rented Sector have become substantially more aware of Tenancy Deposit Protection during the summer months. Nearly two thirds of all landlords and approaching half of all tenants are now believed to understand the mandatory requirements to protect deposits and provide for dispute resolution. These requirements became law last April.

This improvement is demonstrated in results from separate surveys carried out among both letting agents and landlords during August and announced by the Tenancy Deposit Scheme today, Tuesday 18 September.

Letting agents believe there is still a long way to go to educate the private rented sector and that only two thirds of all landlords and less than half of all tenants understand it. Yet this is a substantial increase and it was gained during the holiday period. The agents survey showed that they believe that understanding among landlords rose from 54.5% to 63% and among tenants from a third to nearly a half.

The results from the survey of landlords were more optimistic, suggesting that 90% are now fully aware of their mandatory obligations. The improvement in the level of understanding comes at a time when rental demand is growing fast and before the start of a possible upsurge in those deposit disputes that would need Alternative Dispute Resolution. This increase may happen from next month, six months after deposit protection became mandatory and the first Assured Shorthold Tenancies it covers come to an end.

However, the growth in the volume may turn out to be more gradual. Explained Lawrence Greenberg, Chief Executive of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme, "Although many tenancies are arranged for an initial six month period, industry figures show that the average length of tenancies is now 18 months. The outcome from this would be a more gradual build-up in demand for dispute resolutions."

To be ready to meet any peaks in demand, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme doubled the number of adjudicators from 24 to 49 and has instituted a six-monthly appraisal and recruitment programme.

Membership of the Tenancy Deposit Scheme includes regulated agents who are members of ARLA, the NAEA and RICS, members of other affiliated bodies and corporate landlords, notably in the student market.

The service offered by the Scheme includes Alternative Dispute Resolution, as required by government and is free to tenants.

The Scheme was started more than three years ago on a voluntary basis, before becoming one of the three government-authorised schemes. "This experience has enabled us to be ready to meet upsurges in the demand for dispute resolution, whenever they may arrive," added Lawrence Greenberg.

Full information for landlords, tenants and agents is available on www.tds.gb.com or 0845 226 7837.