A female director is marking a quarter of a century with the same Cheshire and North Wales agency by calling on the Government to “bring back Section 21”.

Having started as an office junior, aged just 17-years-old, Nicola Blake rose through the ranks at Cavendish to become a director almost four years ago.

She has spent her time in rentals and says the biggest changes in the industry have always been to do with legislation.

If I could change only one thing, it would be to not to abolish Section 21 and bring it back.”

And yet, despite working through half a dozen big pieces of legislation during her career, it is the latest piece of legislation which she says the Government has got wrong.

Speaking exclusively to The Neg’, she says: “We’ve had so many pieces of legislation during my time working in this industry, it is important to adapt.”

Renters’ Rights Act

But with less than a fortnight to go before the Renters’ Right Act is introduced, she adds: “The industry never stays still. But we need to make it easier for landlords to regain possession of their properties quickly.

“If I could change only one thing, it would be to not to abolish Section 21 and bring it back.”

She explains: “As an agent, I’ve never used section 8 as standard. We’ve always been able to get properties back to our landlords if they need possession quickly. But we just don’t know how this new legislation is going to pan out and how long it is going to take to regain possession given the situation in the courts.”

A backlog in the courts means that it can take months to evict a tenant – with fears among many in the industry that the situation is only going to get worse once so-called ‘no-fault’ Section 21 notices are abolished.

Checking tenants

Nicola, who operates across Cavendish’s offices in Chester, Mold and Ruthin, says her company has always been supportive of her career, including when she took time out to start a family.

“During my time with the company I have worked as a lettings negotiator and tenancy manager responsible for checking tenants in and out and inspections,” she says.

“After my daughter was born, I had a spell working in the Mold office before becoming operations manager in 2022 and operations director two years later.

“From a young age, I had a strong work ethic instilled in me and have gained various qualifications along the way including my Level 3 and Level 4 certificates in property agency management with our professional body Propertymark. I was one of the first ever agents in the country to gain the Level 4 qualification.”

Career milestone

Nicola adds: “I have been happy to build my career with Cavendish because I have always felt supported and have been given opportunities to continue progressing.

“Becoming a director in 2022 was a big thing as it gave me the opportunity to work with the other directors on strategic decisions to ensure that we continue to innovate, embrace new technologies, invest in our people and ensure the business can provide the best possible service to our clients.

Becoming a director was big as it gave me the opportunity to work on strategic decisions.”

David Adams, Managing Director of Cavendish, said: “This is a fantastic milestone for Nicola and I’m excited to continue working with her over the coming years to ensure our business continues to set the standard in estate and lettings agency services across Chester and North Wales.”

Cavendish was established in 1993 by Julian Adams, the firm’s Chairman, and his then business partner Robert Ikin.

Today’s Cavendish employs more than 30 people across estate agency and lettings with offices in Chester, Mold and Ruthin. The company helps at least 600 homeowners move home each year and has around 650 properties under management.