Introducing our "Savvi" Letting Agent!

We thought you would be interested to hear about some of the people that have helped us create Rental Ratings, and the first person, who was key to the testing of the product, is Chris Bryan of Savvi Lettings & Property Management, in Sheffield.

Chris was a brilliant person for Kirsty (our CEO) to meet at the ANUK national conference (for accreditation networks) because he ticked so many boxes for us. 

• he supports improving standards, but knows that a lot of schemes don't work - he was actually a speaker at the conference, explaining why his local accreditation scheme in Sheffield had recently been shut down because it hadn't worked;
• he is a professional landlord himself;
• he is a letting agent;
• he is the local representative for National Landlords' Association and a member of the Sheffield & District Landlords' Association and attends the Housing Committee meetings of the city council

When we explained we needed some trial properties to test out our Rating system, he volunteered.  And the rest they say is history...

Here's what Chris said about the idea of Rental Ratings after we'd carried out 2 Rating surveys for him:

“As a landlord I’ve found it a useful process to highlight where I could improve the quality of our properties other than the typical focus of local authorities (HHSRS).  It gives me an indication of what standard other properties are at.

As an investor buying tenanted properties, it would give me an indication at what level the property is at & if it would make a good investment for me.

It will give good quality properties in poorer locations a marketing advantage, to highlight the benefits of the property, despite the location.

It allows me to compare my portfolio and to help me choose whether to dispose or improve the weaker properties.”

“As an agent I like it because it gives the opportunity for the landlords to be recognised for the quality of their properties and for them to understand that they have a quality property – which will increase their self-confidence when working in the rental sector.   It gives good landlords credit for their investment and their effort.  It will separate the better landlords from the poorer landlords who don’t care.

It makes letting a property easier, as tenants will know what they are getting & saves wasting time on viewings if it’s clearly the wrong level for the tenant.

It allows me as an agent to give some added value advice and help the landlord identify where he could improve his investment & his return.  And so by offering this service to my landlords, it also separates me from the poorer agents.”