Major UK agent signs up to rent empty properties via Airbnb
Hunters has signed a deal with short-term rentals website Lavanda and is piloting the partnership in Manchester.
Franchised agency network Hunters is piloting a scheme in Manchester that will enable its landlord and vendor clients to rent out their properties via Airbnb and other short-term rental sites.
The first properties to be offered for short-term rent are within Bracken House (pictured, right), a development of apartments within the city centre.
The new service is a partnership with Lavanda.co.uk, which has launched an agent version of its property management service to facilitate the deal.
Hunters says the Manchester pilot has been a “great success” and will be rolled across the national Hunters 200-branch network over the next 12 months.
Properties must be let out for a minimum of two nights and will be managed by Lavanda including a furnishing service for empty properties, tenant vetting, hotel-style housekeeping, face-to-face check-ins and a 24-7 concierge service.
Lavanda will also advertise the properties, it says, via all the major short-term rental websites including Airbnb, Booking.com, HomeAway and Expedia.
“Much to the frustration of vendors, the recent slow sales market has led to swathes of prime property sitting empty,” says Guy Westlake, CEO of Lavanda (pictured, left).
“This has not only resulted in landlords suffering a significant loss of income, but [for vendors] not facilitating a quick sale can also damage the agent’s reputation with their client.
“Lavanda AGENT solves this specific pain point, powering growth and profitability in our partners, whilst enabling them to delight their customers with a new, value-added service offering.”
Glynis Frew, Chief Executive of Hunters Property Plc (pictured, right), said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Lavanda and pioneering an innovative new service for customers that unlocks major value for our vendors and landlords.