Runner up in national awards

The Fife offices of Martin & Co – the UK’s largest dedicated letting agency, has just been awarded runner up in the national award for Best Established Business at the company’s annual awards ceremony held in the Midlands on Saturday, 25th April 2009. The offices has achieved the same award for the last three consecutive year.

The award, presented by Martin & Co Founder and Chairman, Richard Martin, celebrates the passion for results and customer service demonstrated by Martin & Co franchise owner Iain & Nora Sinclair and their team who achieved a consistent high average of first lets for offices trading since 2006 or earlier (signifying significant growth).

Commenting on the award, Richard Martin said that Iain & Nora had not only achieved superb results for many landlords in Fife area, but had “instantly embraced everything that Martin & Co stands for – integrity, professionalism and straight-talking, good advice. Landlords and tenants alike clearly know where they stand and I have been really impressed with the positive feedback I have received”.

Accepting the award, Iain said “this award is a real honour and a tribute to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our staff, as well as the efficiency of the Martin & Co system and training support. It also follows close on the heels of two recent major awards for the company “Franchisor of the Year” and “Best Large Letting Chain”, which can only help my business further and give much needed confidence to our clients in this largely unregulated industry in which the right choice of letting agency is of paramount importance.”

Thursday, 07 May 2009

Martin & Co Honoured as Best Letting Agency

Letting agency Martin & Co has just been awarded the UK’s “Best Letting Agent” at the Estate and Letting Agency Awards (or ESTAs) in London this week. The prestigious award was presented to Martin & Co’s Managing Director Ian Wilson by media personality and journalist Phil Spencer of Channel 4’s “Location, Location, Location”, who said “these awards are particularly special, and a true reflection of excellence in customer service as they are only awards in the industry which are voted for by the landlords and tenants themselves. They are not easily won, and require a letting agency to achieve a consistently high level of service to their clients over a 12 month period.” Over 30,000 questionnaires were sent out to customers across the UK. On receiving the award, Ian Wilson said “it is a privilege to win such an award, and it is a tribute to the hard work, dedication, and passion of our franchise owners and their staff. We aim only to recruit, and help our franchisees recruit, only the very best in the business – those who care about giving great service! In a property industry where many sales-based estate agents have recently forayed into lettings out of necessity, this award has clearly demonstrated that landlords and tenants prefer to work with a lettings specialist who will be around next year and the year after. I am especially pleased that it was our customers themselves who voted for us, and I’d like to thank all those who took the trouble by taking part in this independent survey.” This award comes only months after Martin & Co scooped a Franchisor of the Year award at the end of 2008.

Thursday, 09 April 2009

Introducing our new team.

We are delighted to welcome on board and introduce our new letting team; Caroline Lamond, Shiela Ferrier, Elaine Grey, Colin McKeown, Gill Kelso and Catherine Russell.

Caroline joined in February 2009 as the Accounts Manager for Dunfermline and Edinburgh Offices. She has has five years Admin/HR and accounts experience. She will manage the office accounting system and ensure that all rents are received on time and landlords are paid promptly and efficiently.

Shiela joined as the Property Maintenance Manager for Dunfermline office. She has managerial experience for at least 18 years and plenty practical experience on property management. She will deal with general maintenance issues promptly with relation to the existing managed portfolio. She will ensure that all gas and electric safety inspections and regular property visits are completed on time.

Elaine joined as the Property Management Assistant. She will assist Shiela to deal with all property maintenace issues. Coordinate with contractors, landlords and tenants and arrange repairs promptly and efficiently. She maintains an efficient diary system, making sure the smooth moving in and out of tenans, take control of change of utilities, council tax and gas certificate renewals.

We are very pleased to announced the promotion of Colin McKeown and Gill Kelso.

Colin was promoted as Lettings Manager. He has been with Martin & Co Dunfermline for over a year. He is very competent and has demonstrated high standard of professionalism, courtesy and efficiency in carrying out his duties and in dealing with his clients. He will conduct market appraisals and provide practical solutions to landlords with regards to achieving a prompt let to keep void periods to a minimum. He will maximise opportunities for viewings, lets, market appraisals and instructions. He will be in charged in the marketing, motivation and supervision of the letting team.

Gill is the new Office Manager. She has been with the business for over two years. She carried out her duties efficiently and has demonstrated high standard of professionalism in dealing with landlords and tenants. She will take control of the day to day running of the office. She will make sure the level of good service, professionalism and quality standards set out by Martin & Co is maintained to maximise portfolio and retain clients.

The last team member, but definitely not the least, is Catherine Russell. She is the “star” of the team. With her happy “bubbly” and friendly attitude, she gets on well with everybody. She is very competent, helpful and efficient in dealing with all her clients. She maintains an efficient diary system, take control of new applications, referencing procedures and tenant moving in. In charged of new property instructions, website upload, window display and market your property to a wide range of clients.

Saturday, 21 March 2009

Edinburgh Expansion for Martin & Co

FAST growing lettings specialists Martin & Co are building on the success of their offices in Cupar, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline, Fife by expanding operations into Edinburgh.

Franchisee and Managing Director, Iain Sinclair said: “The Martin & Co name and brand has become firmly established in Scotland because we offer the highest quality services and customer care as well as ensuring value for money.

Iain added: “We have an unrivalled combination of excellent local knowledge and superb staff, this coupled with the support and strength of a national network with a first class reputation for doing what it promises.”

Iain said he planned to make Martin & Co one of the leading agents in Edinburgh very quickly and to open a second office within the city in 12 months or so.

“We have proved in our three other areas that we can become market leaders and that’s exactly what we aim to do here. I am very positive about the future”.

With four highly successful offices, Mr. Sinclair is the company’s largest franchisee, having launched his first office in Cupar, Fife in September 2001.

The company also offers a range of additional services as well as letting and property management, including advice on buy-to-let, tenant comprehensive referencing, advising on insurance products, including rent guarantee.

Martin & Co has 120 franchised offices across the UK and Ireland.

Wednesday, 31 October 2007

TOP PERFORMER AWARD!

We are delighted to announce that Martin & Co (Fife & Dunfermline) got an award as the second “Top Performer” out of 116 offices nationwide during the company’s Annual General Meeting last 21st April 2007.

With offices in Cupar, Kirkcaldy & Dunfermline, the Martin & Co name and brand had become firmly established because the company offered the highest quality services and customer care as well as ensuring value for money.

We have an unrivalled combination of excelllent local knowledge coupled with the support and strength of a national network with a first class reputation.

We have professional and highly trained staff; Myra, Sandra, Pauline, Louise, Plami, Steph, David, Gill and Liz who will be happy to help and answer all your letting enquiries.

When in comes to letting property, Martin & Co (Fife & Dunfermline) are really “up to speed”. We let property on “day one”, in less than 1 hour, or even 1 week before the sale is completed, this must be a record!

Martin & Co is now “the UK’s fastest growing lettings and property management company”.

On behalf of Martin & Co and staff, we thank you for your continued custom and we very much look forward to be working with you in the near future.

Saturday, 05 May 2007