Guy Westlake
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Agencies & People
Major UK agent signs up to rent empty properties via Airbnb
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…
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Latest property news
Short-term online rental service launches
A service that enables sales and lettings agents to make money from short term rentals using prime properties that are awaiting sale or long-term lets has been unveiled. Lavanda.co.uk, which specialises in ‘super short-term’ upmarket rentals, has launched a version of its service just for agents, claiming to be the first of its kind within the property sector. The company claims its service will enable agents to make money from vacant properties at a time when many are worrying about generating revenue after the tenant fees ban is introduced next year, and that the service is fully compliant with existing UK law. Lavanda prices up empty properties for agents and then rents them out and says it can also put furniture temporarily into unfurnished properties. It will also vet potential short-term tenants, provide “hotel-style housekeeping”, a 24-7 concierge service and someone to meet and greet tenants when they arrive. Short-term rentals Properties will be advertised on the main short-term rental websites including Airbnb, Booking.com, HomeAway and Expedia. The service will be rolling out in London at first but is expected to go nationwide next year within cities. Lavanda recently raised £1.5 million in funding from investors including Sir Terry Leahy,…
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