Recruiting Business Development Manager for Letmc.com Letting Software Sales Department

LetMC is looking for a new Business Development Manager in LetMC Sales Department to sell our letting software to estate and letting agents across the UK. The ideal candidate is someone who can quickly build rapport with a client, understand their problem and offer a solution before closing the sale. Desirable skills are experience of the letting industry, face to face sales, and hitting targets and KPIs. Based in Cardiff, OTE of £18,476 (basic salary of £14,476, performance bonus of £4,000). Full driving license required and travel across the UK will be required on occasion. LetMC is an Investor in People company. Please send CV's to Glyn.Trott@Letmc.com.

LetMC Wins Major Multi-Branch Contract

LetMC is proud to announce Peter Alan Estate Agents as the newest addition to their rapidly expanding customer base. All 23 branches from this hugely successful estate agency chain have simultaneously transferred from their existing software provider to LetMC, enabling them to grow and expand their lettings portfolio even further across South Wales. LetMC’s expertise in running letting agencies coupled with their approach to project management and data integration meant that service was completely unaffected during the transition. The move is already proving to be a popular with staff in both back office and branches alike, as it has streamlined their work and centralised admin away from them. Andrew Barry, Sales Director for Peter Alan said “After much research into the market we chose LetMC as it provides a scalable and effective solution to support the growth of our managed portfolio whist providing customers with access to their account 24 hours a day”. Glyn Trott, MD of LetMC is thrilled by the new business relationship. “By providing a truly online and multi-branch solution, LetMC could support Peter Alan all the way from the initial planning stage through to implementation and launch. LetMC is the multi-branch solution for letting agencies across the UK. We are going from strength to strength and are continually demonstrating to the lettings industry that the LetMC way, is the way forward”.

LetMC Client Munro Estates Wins Gold at ESTA’s

Letmc would like to congratulate Munro Estates for their win at the 2010 ESTA’s, winning a Gold at Letting Agent Of The Year Awards in Mayfair London presented by Phil Spencer of Location Location. Jonathan Bell, co owner of Munro Estates expressed his gratitude toward Letmc stating “Part of our success has been down to the constant levels of support you have offered us in the providing and training of some of our staff” and “LetMC has been nothing short of exceptional to work with and kept us in control of the business.” Glyn Trott, Director of LetMC has laid down the gauntlet for next year by suggesting “Munro Estate’s should open another branch and go for the ESTA’s Best Small Chain Award in 2011”. To read more, Click here...

LetMC Agents Win at 2010 ESTAs

Letmc are very pleased to announce that two of our clients won awards at this year’s ESTAs. Munro Estates won Gold for best North East Letting Agent and Star Residential won Silver for best Welsh Letting Agent. Congratulations....... LetMC also extend their congratulation to the other winners. For further information Click Here..

Read latest LetMC newsletter

To read and catch up with LetMC, read our spring Newsletter

What is Cloud Computing

Glyn Trott, director of LetMC has published an article on 'What is Cloud Computing', and what it means for the lettings industry. Click here... to read the full article.

News:LetMC Integrate with Equifax Referencing

LetMC lettings software has integrated tenant referencing checks. LetMC software has Equifax credit referencing built-in. Clients can carry out integrated credit and identification checks and get immediate results. Fast and efficient (fastest test 3.6sec), this service is a first for letting software.

News: Directors meet Chief Executive of Barclays

On Monday 8th February, LetMC directors Glyn Trott and Wyn Griffiths were invited to an intimate lunch with John Varley, the Chief Executive of Barclays. During lunch, Mr Varley and LetMC directors discussed a range of topics around rental trends LetMC are finding and following. Discussions led onto Glyn Trott’s research into factoring services for landlords to receive guaranteed payments for rents (not to be confused with insurance), which Mr Varley found an interesting concept.

ARLA 2010 Conference & Exhibition

LetMC will be attending and exhibiting at the 2010 ARLA Conference & Exhibition at the Novotel London West, Hammersmith, London on the 2nd March 2010. Please feel free to come down and meet some of the LetMC team, see the software (stand 29).

Property Professional Show

LetMC will be exhibiting at the Property Professional Show at the ICC Birmingham on the 17th and 18th of May 2010. The Property Professional Show is expecting over 4000 visitors a day and over 1000 exhibitors. To register your interest and book a place LetMC will be exhibiting at the Click Here... Please feel free to come down and meet some of the LetMC team and see the software.

Google Property Portal

LetMC.com R&D section of the IT team are testing the portal upload to the new Google Property Portal, which is expected to be displayed in Google Maps. They have recently tested upload property data into Google Shopping, Click Here for a demo. Letmc expect to release the Google Portal Upload by early March. Director Glyn Trott said "We are pleased with the development, what's interesting is this will give our clients 3 ways to get properties into Google. First, organic search with LetMC websites and caching of property pages, Google shopping, and then Google Property Portal within Google Maps"

LetMC partner with Jordans

LetMC.com has won the prestigious contract to become supplier of letting software to Jordan’s and Jordan’s McMaster. They will provide software and marketing websites for all ten of Jordan's branches based in Cheshire, Manchester, Bolton, Borehamwood and Norwich. LetMC are proud to win the contract with the longstanding chain of agencies run by two ex-Presidents of ARLA, Robert Jordan and David McMaster. LetMC's Glyn Trott says "It's a huge seal of approval. It demonstrates how well regarded the system is amongst key ARLA agents." LetMC have been working closely with company director William Jordan and his team to seamlessly move data from their existing software supplier to the new system. They also trained Jordan's staff so they can hit the ground running without interfering with their normal business day. Jordan’s MD William Jordan says “We have been very impressed with LetMC’s pro-active project management to make this transition as smooth as possible. We are now in a position to further expand across the U.K.”

LetMC partner with Xperience (Legal & General)

LetMC.com are pleased to announce that they have partnered with Xperience Group to launch a new, unique lettings franchise operation. LetMC.com lettings software will supply all new lettings franchises, and provide full back office accounting & rent chasing support. They have joined forces to offer the service to new franchisees, which will benefit from the stability of a market-leading software product that will enable them to grow their businesses rapidly without having to worry about back office administration. The pioneering relationship, a first in the industry, was launched at The British & International Franchise Exhibition at Olympia last month. Further details can be seen in the June issue of SQM, where there is a full interview with Glyn Trott, LetMC Director and Michael Stoop, Xperience Managing Director.

Spark Energy

LetMC.com are pleased to announce a partnership with Spark Energy, utilities provider for letting agents across the UK. LetMC will upload data files to Spark on behalf of our agents to eliminate utilities admin and simplify the move in and move out process. If you would like to hear more about Spark’s services and are an existing LetMC client,please contact Kris Jakobsen on 07515 808 632 or email at kris.jakobsen@sparkenergy.co.uk. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Online Software Helps Smaller Firms to Compete Against Bigger Rivals.

In the Sunday Times 19th of July they explain how using online software like LetMC helps smaller firms to compete against bigger rivals. Read the Sunday Times article...

Lord Mandelson Meets LetMC Directors

Glyn Trott and Wyn Griffiths were guests at a reception at number ten, hosted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. At the reception for some of Britain’s top entrepreneurs and innovators, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson urged them to make the most of the economic downturn by continuing to launch new business ventures. Lord Mandelson told them, "Some of Britain’s biggest businesses were born in a recession… The point is to start your business early on in order to be ready for the up-turn, like the one that’s going to come our way."

LetMC Directors to meet Prime Minister

LetMC Directors, Glyn Trott and Wyn Griffiths have been invited to attend Downing Street on Monday 22nd June to meet with Gordon Brown to discuss the 'Building Britain's future' campaign. The campaign is aimed at equipping high potential British firms to get through the current economic downturn, particularly focusing on supporting firms using new technology. LetMC.com was the first in the country to offer on-line software for letting agents, and it is a huge vote of confidence that the Prime Minister himself has recognised this achievement.

The Nationalisation of Lettings

Residential lettings is often viewed as a much localised, cottage industry with few national companies that have a significant UK presence and market share in comparison to estate agency. Lettings, by comparison to estate agency, is intense with administration, has highly demanding tenants and landlords, and until recently, lacked software to process the work between branches and a head office. At LetMC.com, we are seeing more letting agents centralising all their internal processes from accounts and rent chasing through to property management, renewals and arranging maintenance. Click here... to read more.

Pinnacle Win Best Agent in UK

LetMC would like to congratulate Pinnacle Letting Agents for not just winning a silver for best agent in Wales, but also winning Best Small Lettings Chain in the UK at the 2009 Estate Agent and Letting Agents Awards. LetMC also extend their congratulation to the other winners. For further information Click Here..

Is the Lettings Industry Worth £6bn?

Smartlandlord.co.uk has released a calculation estimating that landlords are spending £3bn with Letting and Estate Agents in the UK. This research is an interesting indicators on the size and scale of the residential letting industry, and only reflects the incomes from landlords. If the estimated income from landlords is £3bn, and then take into consideration the incomes from tenant services and cross selling opportunities, then crudely the industry could be worth £6bn. Click Here.. to read Smartlandlord article.

Xperience Group Scoops 5 Awards...

Xperience Group scooped an impressive 5 awards at the Estate Agent of the Year awards 2008. Picking up 1 Bronze, 3 Silvers and a Gold for Best Franchise. LetMC would like to congratulate Ellis & Co of Golders Green for picking up Silver in Best Small Estate Agent.

Premier wins another award...

Premier Places took Silver in Best Estate Agent in the Midlands region, adding to their impressive success (Daily Mail Property Awards 2008) this year alone. Premier and LetMC have been working together for over 4 years, and LetMC look forward to supporting Premier even further.

The Estate Agent of the Year Awards...

Letmc would like to congratulate all companies who were short-listed, and who won an award. Particularly to Karl Tatler Estate Agents for winning Estate Agent of the Year, and Gold in Small Lettings. LetMC had sponsored the 10 lettings awards, which were handed out by Jez Lee, LetMC Sales Director.

15% VAT rate

With the announcement of the VAT change (24th November 2008), LetMC updated the software. From 1st December 2008, any invoices raised will be calculated at the new rate. For further information please feel free to contact client support on 0870 870 8282.

LetMC Sponsors Letting Agent of the Year 2008

LetMC are sponsoring the Estate Agent of the Year, Letting Agent categories. With 10 awards up for grabs, LetMC would like to wish all entrants the best of luck and look forward to ceremony on Friday 28th November 2008. LetMC will also be demonstrating on stand 23 at the conference and awards ceremony.

Premier Win 5 Star Award for a Second Time

Premier Places of Worcester took for the second year running the Daily Mail Estate Agency 5 Star award. All of the support team would like to congratulate everyone at Premier. Read More.

Pinnacle Comes Second

LetMC would like to congratulate Pinnacle Letting Agents in coming second at the Letting Agents of the Year, 2008 Negotiator Awards. Parkheath won the main award and LetMC would like to extend further congratulations. Pinnacle got a special ‘highly commended’ mention. Read More.

Halifax Takes Top Honours

Halifax Estate Agents took the top honours as Residential Property Agency of the Year at the Belfast Telegraph Northern Ireland Property Awards 2008. LetMC would like to congratulate Halifax Estate Agents for winning the prestigious award. Read More...

Future Proof Your Business

More and more traditional estate agents are moving into lettings, through necessity in these difficult economic times. Often just diving straight in and learning all about lettings, accounting and property management as they go along, some agents find it difficult to grow the business. Read full article...

Letting Agency of the Year

Congratulations to Pinnacle Letting Agents. for being short-listed for Letting Agent of the Year at the 2008 The Negotiator Awards. The winner will be announced on the 11th November award ceremony at the Hilton Park Lane. Everyone at LetMC wishes Pinnacle the best of luck. Pinnacle has been using LetMC software, websites and outsourcing services for over 8 years.

Agency Expo 2008 Game

14th and 15 October 2008 Business Design Centre, Islington, London Agency Expo is the single biggest event for estate and letting agents in the UK, with exhibitors, seminars and workshops. Entry is free, and for further information and to register visit Agency Expo LetMC.com will be exhibiting, so please feel free to come and visit us on stand 508 for a one to one demonstration, or just come down for a coffee.

The Waiting Game

Richard Donnell is director of research for Hometrack , and reported in the Sunday Times on 10th August 2008, that the cost for first time buyers has increase by 21%, and this would be before saving for a deposit. Richard commented “would-be first time buyers are being pushed into the rental market, despite rents rising by an average 9% over the past year.” More interesting is Hometracks findings that it is on average £280 per month cheaper to rent than buy. “Only when these dynamics change, through lower mortgage rates or changes in availability of credit, will sales transactions levels likely to improve.” The consideration for estate agents is, can you continue without a substantial lettings department? For letting agents, keep an eye on interest rates and the availability of credit, until this changes renting is going to continue at the current levels. “The fact is, low housing turnover is here to stay for the foreseeable future” reports Richard.

Residential Lettings Trends in July 2008

LetMC have been analysing data over the last six months and we are seeing some interesting trends in lettings that an estate agent might want to be aware of. There is a new group of tenants entering the market who we have termed the ‘can’t sell, must rent’ brigade. To read more click here...

LetMC go for innovation award

Letmc have submitted an entry for Estate Agent Innovation Award with The Negotiator Awards 2008 . In the last twelve months LetMC have developed a number of 'software tools' that enable Estate Agents to diversify into residential lettings with ease. These 'software tools' include a 'bridge' with other estate agent software, importing tools, centralisation tools, and client login features that enable agents to expand without opening further branches.

Estate Agency Software Bridge

Dezrez now has the ability to export lettings properties, landlords and tenants into LetMC.com letting software, with the Dezrez LetMC Bridge. Click here for further information.

Changes to NRL Tax

As of the 6th April 2008 the rate at which a letting agent must charge Non-residential Landlords tax changes from 22% to 20% in line with the changes to the basic rate of tax. LetMC.com will automatically change the rate at which NRL tax is charged as of this date. For guidance and help with NRL returns using LetMC.com please contact out support team on 0870 870 8282.

News: IIP Leadership & Management award

In August 2007, Pinnacle Group which includes LetMC.com, was awarded the Leadership and Management Model by Investors in People UK. It is a great honour to receive this and we are extremely proud to be the first software company and group of Letting Agents in Wales to be awarded this prize.

2007 Customer Survey Results

Thank you to all of our customers who responded to our survey this year. We have already added some of your suggestions to the software and will continue to do so. The key results of the survey are as follows: • 100% of our customers rated our support service good or very good • 94% rated our software good or very good. • 98% rated LetMC good or very good overall. There is still room for improvement so hopefully we can beat this next year! • 96% of our customers said that they would recommend LetMC to other agents. However, the 4% who said they wouldn’t recommend us said this was because it would give them too much competition.

Page Author: Glyn Trott