Good Place Lettings has launched with the self-declared aim of “bringing more social purpose to the private rental market in London.”
Based on Brick Lane in the East End, the agency has been established to help tackle housing inequality head-on by helping private rented sector landlords offer good quality homes for rent alongside what it calls “responsible property management.”
Created as a joint venture between national homelessness charity Crisis and a service Homes for Good, Good Place Lettings calla itself a social enterprise letting agency that offers a socially responsible alternative to landlords who either self-manage or rely on traditional lettings agencies.
The business is replicating the property management model established over the last decade by Homes for Good in Glasgow.
As a Community Interest Company (CIC), profits generated by the agency will be reinvested into supporting people experiencing homelessness and on low incomes to find good quality, affordable homes in London. The new agency is part-funded by Lloyds Banking Group and The National Lottery Community Fund.
Ben Rayner, Director at Good Place Lettings, says:“The private rented sector in London is under huge pressure from low levels of new supply which are limiting choice and pushing up rents. It has been very encouraging to meet and work with landlords who want to offer good quality rented homes at varying rent levels to help a wider range of renters with different backgrounds, while helping to improve standards in the rental market.
“Regulation and reforms to the private rental market are making it more complex and challenging to be a self-managing landlord, which is why some are looking to exit the market. We offer an alternative and landlords interested in making a lasting difference to the experience of private renting in London should get in touch.”
And Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, adds: “Good Place Lettings is a truly exciting new initiative. It shows that the private rented sector can and should be a place where peopleon low incomes, or facing homelessness, can build a life with a safe and secure home.
“With such a severe shortage of social housing, it’s vital that we have an inclusive private rented sector that provides good quality, genuinely affordable homes. Without this, we’ll see homelessness continue to rise and more people stuck in shoddy temporary accommodation. As we work to tackle the exclusionary practices that have left too many people without a settled home, it’s terrific to see Good Place Lettings open for business.”
Landlords and prospective tenants can get in touch with Good Place Lettings here.
