Councils have become increasingly hostile towards agents in recent times, with increased regulation and licensing of the private rental sector in particular.

So it comes as a pleasant surprise when Hammersmith & Fulham’s council issues a statement praising an independent agency in its patch.

The firm in question is The Property Moms, founded in west London by American ex-pats Celine Brill and Robbin Pierce who met when volunteering at their children’s school.

Passionate about supporting their local community, the pair launched The Property Moms with a business model focused on ‘giving back’. 

With each job, a percentage of their fees are donated to a local cause, chosen by their client.

Currently, the two are working closely with a friends group for another local school, supporting trips and library and teaching assistants.

Newer clients have chosen different charities to support and the agency founders hope their charitable reach will extend even more widely across the borough.

“I’ve always loved property. I worked in architecture and sold property in the States, and my first job in London was at an independent agency” says Brill, who moved to the UK 13 years ago.

Co-founder Pierce, who has lived in west London for more than 20 years, has a background in property development and sales. 

The pair talked about starting a unique type of agency together for several years before taking the plunge.