Lettings agency expand with Stanley branch

A growing North East lettings agency is building a solid presence in the area after opening its seventh branch.

The Castledene Group, one of the biggest lettings agencies in the region, has launched a Stanley office - which has taken on 40 properties in its first two weeks of operation.

Managing director John Paul chose a 800sqft site in Station Road, Stanley as the newest Castledene location, and coordinated a £50k renovation of the building, which had stood empty for more than two years.

Stanley branch manager John Robson and portfolio manager Kirsty Cartridge have hit the ground running since the office opened in early May and are on target to manage more than 150 properties within the first year.

John Paul hopes to employ another two staff at the Stanley branch, and has two further acquisitions planned within the next six months.

The Easington-based Castledene Group celebrated its fifth anniversary last year and manages more than 1,900 properties across the North East, Halifax and Manchester, with 35 members of staff. The Easington-based group includes property management, property investment and property maintenance services.

John Paul, who is looking for additional sites in the region, said: “We’ve been spending the last six months searching for the best area to open up a new branch, and we decided that Stanley was the ideal choice. There are a lot of rental properties in the area, and we felt confident that we could duplicate the success we have had in our other branches.

“I’m very pleased with the start we have had in Stanley and, from the feedback we have been getting, so are the landlords. John Robson is a great guy and very good at what he does. I’m delighted to have him as branch manager and to push the business forward. We expect big things from him and the Stanley branch.”

John Robson said: “I’m really excited about working for Castledene Property Management in the Stanley branch. I’m a local lad who knows the area well with several years’ management and property experience. I love the whole ethos of The Castledene Group, which is that of customer service - hence the great start we’ve had here in Stanley.”

The Stanley team plan to offer sales services in the coming months, and will run The Castledene Group’s Rent to Own scheme - enabling potential homeowners to purchase a property with a small commitment fee and at a pre-agreed price, allowing the tenant to move into their new home straight away.

The scheme is aimed at those having problems getting onto the housing ladder, whether they are self employed with less than three years of accounts, do not have enough savings for a deposit, or if they have a poor credit rating, county court judgements or arrears. It allows people to repair their credit file as they pay for their deposit alongside the rent.

The Castledene Group was voted the Sunday Times Lettings Agency of the Year Awards 2013, where the team achieved Gold in the Medium Northern Lettings Agency category. It was also the first company in its sector in the North of England to win an Investors in People (IIP) Gold status.