A council-run private rental sector lettings agency which so far claims to manage 300 properties it launching an advertising campaign to win private landlord clients.

ABC Lettings is run by Ashford council in Kent and says it lets at affordable rents, and has issued a statement saying that “the private sector landlord market is considered to be a hard to reach audience”.

It is therefore “deploying a wide-ranging campaign to capture their attention and engage with them about the benefits of using the council’s services.”

The agency manages 300 properties across Ashford, Folkestone and Hythe.

It says it offers landlords “a no hassle, no hidden cost lettings service – and all from an organisation which is not motivated by profit and which has a reputation for a careful and considered approach.”

The agency says there are tenants ready to move in, while the service offers landlords a flexible package of financial incentives which it claims “effectively subsidise the difference between affordable rents and market rents.”

Its offer to landlords includes a guaranteed monthly rent paid in advance, voids no longer than two weeks subject to “necessary checks”, boiler breakdown cover and an annual gas safety check, a 24 hour emergency repair support, routine property inspections and tenancy renewal services.

The advertising campaign to win landlord clients will be across print, radio and online platforms, social media, website and e-newsletters aimed at residents and local businesses.