In Profile: Helen Gardner, Katie Homes

I became a letting agent becausea family member had a bank of clients and I had a legal background. We married the two together and suddenly I was a Letting Agent.

The biggest threat to our industry isthe bad reputation that other agents project. Calls to abolish tenant fees are mainly due to rogues abusing the system. We then get tarred with the same brush.

My proudest moment in lettings is...leaving our first branch to run itself, whilst I venture to a new city to set up a second one!

My biggest mistake in lettings isnot installing a software system early on. I still have so many hard copies of files that I need because they aren't on the system'.

The most stressful part of my job ismaintenance. Oh to be an estate agent and wash my hands of the property the moment it completes! Boiler breakdowns, blocked toilets, emergency call outs, it's all added stress.

If I could change one thing about lettings it would beenforcing mandatory licensing. All letting agents should be licenced and it would wipe out the back bedroom agents who think they know how to run a property business.

My one piece of advice for young agents islearn from those above you. There is a reason they are still in the business after 20 years - they're probably doing it right.

The best thing about being a letting agent isthe informality of the day. From coffee with a new Landlord in the morning, to furniture shopping in the afternoon and then a networking event in the evening over a glass of wine - I honestly love my job.

*Helen Gardner is Director of Katie Homes, a Lettings and Management company in Nottingham.

**In Profile is a new feature for Industry Views, if you would like to be featured please get in touch on: press@estateagenttoday.co.uk.