Tay Lettings acquires Lickley Proctor Lettings

Scottish agency Tay Lettings is expanding into Dundee and its surrounding areas with the acquisition of Lickley Proctor Lettings.

The acquisition adds more than 300 properties to Tay Letting’s growing portfolio, bringing the total properties managed by the company to more than 1,400.

Tay has seen significant growth in recent years, buoyed by the company’s strong retention rate and a flourishing investment arm, which has invested more than 100m for clients at home and abroad in Scottish property.

Lickley Proctor was established more than 125 years ago and manages properties in Angus, Tayside, Fife and beyond.

Nicol & Co confirms purchase of Malvern office

Worcestershire estate agency Nicol & Co has finally been able to acquire their chosen property to house a third Worcestershire office. They first identified the premises early in 2019.

Managing director Matt Nicol said “This has been a long drawn out process with a number of obstacles encountered along the way, not least of which has been the impact of Covid-19, but we’re delighted to see the market bouncing back and finally be able to get this deal done.

The firm  has purchased the freehold of the former Court Road Bakery on Court Road, Malvern, which will be redeveloped into modern office space to accommodate their Sales, Lettings and New Homes activity in Malvern.

Managing director Matt Nicol said: “It has always been my intention to open three offices in key locations in Worcestershire. Malvern is the final piece in the jigsaw and will add to our branch network in Droitwich and Worcester.

“This expansion into Malvern creates five new jobs in total, including our new sales manager Erica Hinwood who has made a great start since joining us as we came out of lockdown in May.

Earlier this year Nicol & Co increased their presence in Worcester with the addition of their Company HQ in St Georges Square adjacent to the Barbourne Road offices.

New recruit to IMLA

Zephyr Homeloans, part of Computershare Loan Services, has become the latest lender to join the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA), bringing the total number of IMLA members to 43.

Zephyr Homeloans is a dedicated buy-to-let lender and offers a range of buy-to-let mortgage products for standard properties, houses in multiple occupancy and multi-unit blocks.

Kate Davies, Executive Director of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association, said:

“This is a particularly interesting time for the buy-to-let market. Despite tax and regulatory changes in recent years, we are now seeing something of a resurgence of borrowers turning their attention to the buy-to-let market post-lockdown. Zephyr Homeloans is playing a key role supporting borrowers in this market by working to improve the availability of specialist buy-to-let products.

“We’re delighted to welcome Zephyr onboard and their addition to our membership will further strengthen IMLA’s representation of this area of the mortgage market.”

Paul Fryers, Managing Director, Zephyr Homeloans, said:

“I’m delighted that Zephyr has become a full IMLA member, and we’re looking forward to working with the association’s leadership team and members.