Hunters, currently the sixth largest UK estate agency group and which last month announced its intention to float on the stock market, has expanded into block management.

A block management company, Dickinson Harrison (RMB), has now signed up to the Hunters franchise network and will be operating as a franchisee, branded as Hunters Residential Block Management.

The firm, which is the managing agent for over 120 residential apartment blocks, will offer the Hunters network a full range of block management solutions available to its customers for the first time in the estate and letting agency group’s history.

Based in West Yorkshire, RBM has been managing apartment blocks with up to 400 units for over 15 years.

Tim Dickinson, director of Hunters Residential Block Management, said: “With increasing demand from investors and leaseholders looking for effective block management, our business has rapidly expanded out of our heartland to areas as far as Kent and Cornwall.

“Our decision to join forces with Hunters will help us to continue to grow effectively, providing a high-quality service for new and existing leaseholders and successfully turn problem and poorly managed blocks around.”

Glynis Frew, managing director of Hunters Property Group, said: “At Hunters, we aim to offer our customers real value through our infrastructure of independently owned franchised branches run by business owners who are experts in their own local area.

“RBM brings a wealth of niche experience, knowledge and a great team that will help reinforce our strength as a full service estate and lettings agency and expand our reach to even more customers across the UK.”

Hunters is expected to have over 140 offices by the end of the year with a plan for further growth to around 500 offices in five years’ time.

Hunters Residential Block Management directors, from left, Tim Dickinson, Jean Shaw and Andrew Egerton