Independent agency wins race to buy rival despite stiff blue-chip competition

An estate agency in Liverpool has sung the praises of independent firms after buying the lettings book of a rival against stiff competition from several corporates.

Liverpool Property Solutions (LPS) has bought the 60-property portfolio of Allerton-based Maison Lettings from its owner Tom Clarke (main pic, fourth right), who has been running the operation from a residential address with the support of his wife for over ten years.

LPS says the acquisition of the portfolio, which includes houses and HMOs predominantly in southern Liverpool, will support the growth of its lettings business and property management operation.

“Having taken the decision to retire from working life my overriding priority was to find an agency I could trust to take on the business,” says Clarke.

“I have spoken to numerous interested parties, including larger corporate firms, but when I spoke to Joe at LPS Real Estate it quickly became apparent that he shared many of our values and LP seems the perfect home for Maison’s portfolio.”

Estate agency

Clarke says he is selling up after he and his wife decided to retire, and that all the properties will now be managed up the LPS brand from its new offices in central Liverpool.

“These days, you often see the larger corporates snapping up the smaller estate agency firms so, as a growing independent, we are delighted to get this opportunity,” says Joe Gervin (main pic, second right), a director of LPS Real Estate.

“Moving the portfolio from one independent to another, which tend to have a greater degree of flexibility than the corporates, is going to make the transition easier for everyone involved.

“Our team will be delivering the same high level of service and professionalism to Maison’s client database, but as one of Liverpool’s leading letting agents we can also bring them some additional benefits that will make their lives easier without impacting their pockets.”

Gervin says this includes a 24-7 online log-in system for landlords and tenants enables them to check their property information in real-time including weekly automatic rent statements and an online system for reporting repairs.