A lettings and management agency has been launched in Greater Manchester with the aim of revitalising the property management industry.

Unusually, it has been set up and run by experienced landlords and claims it offers a personalised service with one point of contact for a fraction of the fee high street agents charge.

Its owner and founder, Daniel Mullane (pictured), has been a landlord in the area for many years, where he currently has six buy-to-let properties.

Years of experience

Speaking exclusively to the Neg, Mullane says: “Having experienced poor service from high street property management agents previously, we saw the opportunity and need for a new property management offering in the Greater Manchester area; formed to focus on providing a great service for local landlords”

“With years of experience as a landlord in the area, my ambition for Novellus Property Management is to reduce the ever-increasing costs being faced by landlords; for example, with our fully managed service, we provide free initial triage!”

The triage system is typical of Novellus’ fresh approach. It means all maintenance issues are reviewed prior to calling out a professional tradesperson. This puts an end to expensive call-out fees for simple property maintenance jobs that only require a bit of advice, such as how to check a fuse box or bleed a radiator.

In addition, Mullane says the company’s efficient approach means it can keep management fees at a highly competitive 8%.

When you have had to pay these things out of your own pocket, you take an awful lot more care.”

That’s because it does not have an expensive high-street presence and makes full use of Mullane’s black book from his time as a landlord to buy in services at exceptionally low rates.

Mullane explains that: “When you have had to pay these things out of your own pocket, you take an awful lot more care and you buy cheaper.”

He says his new style agency has already garnered a positive reaction from landlords who are: “Finding it refreshing dealing with someone who is in the same boat as they are, has their best interests at heart and whose advice is based on real-life experience.”