Three’s the magic number at letting agency

Three’s the magic number for Sugarhouse Properties a student and young professional focused letting agency.

Despite the challenges of the last 18 months the Leeds-based business has successfully managed to adapt and improve its services to create remote and digital solutions for its customers and a range of support services for tenants.

As a result this transformation the business has seen demand for grow resulting in it doubling the size of its team moving to larger premises on Headingley Lane.

The business noted the rise in demand was fuelled by growth in professional house shares and HMO’s (Houses of Multiple Occupancy), as well as a significant increase in demand for high end student lets.

In addition to the growth the firm has also launched a concierge style app to help support tenants. Named Sugar Hive, the web-based app offers is designed to help tenants to integrate with the local community and make the most out of their new home. It also offers health and wellbeing support, including tips on how to look after your mental health and offers exclusive offers for those living within their properties through a partnership with local hospitality companies.

Richard Napier, director at Sugarhouse said: “Young people are, quite rightly, much more discerning these days and expect higher standards of accommodation and extra support and services in their homes. Not only do we offer properties that have all the mod cons, and are clean and comfortable, but we also offer lifestyle and wellbeing support to tenants through the Sugar Hive App, and try and include all bills in the rental price so there are no hidden costs or headaches.”

He added that “letting agents need to be thinking bigger picture” noting that many students will stay in the area when they graduate and how at Sugarhouse they see that as an opportunity to turn “student tenants turn into professional renters [that] stay on with us.”

As a full service landlord which offers accommodation with bills included the business has also been moving to make its operations greener. Since 2016 it has been supplying electricity created by wind farms, sun and sea to their Leeds properties, in a bid to reduce carbon emissions; and at least 15% of gas supplied is green, with the remainder being carbon neutral, with the business backing a carbon offsetting scheme.

Napier added: “We’re trying hard to make a difference, as a business, to provide great quality housing whilst also ensuring we don’t damage the planet. We are consciously working towards being paper-free by introducing digital signings, virtual viewings and promoting online interactions which all help to reduce our carbon footprint. Sustainable living is becoming ever more important to our tenants, and we feel we have a duty to make sure that we factor this into our business model so we can try and do our bit.”