West Yorkshire lettings agency Easy Location has handed over the management of its lettings book to Hunters Otley & Ilkley.

Easy Location founders Chris and Gill Hendy have taken the decision to hang up the rental keys after 20 years in business, having built the company from scratch.

The duo handpicked Hunters Otley and Ilkley, run by Lester Hurst, to take on their roster of landlords.

They said: “Before we could really start looking forward to retirement, we wanted to be sure we’re leaving our clients in safe hands and we both instinctively knew Lester and his team would be the perfect company to take on the reins.

“We’ve known Lester for 15 years, we know his ethics and how he runs Hunters Otley & Ilkley, which is also a family-run business, and we feel secure in the knowledge that our clients will be well looked after.”

The handover process means there will be no changes for landlords who are currently with Easy Location; their properties will continue to be managed locally in Otley, and the staff will be joining the Hunters team to complete the smooth running of the business.

Hurst said: “I am delighted to be acquiring Easy Location. It is such an exciting time for us to grow and expand further in the marketplace.”

Hunters will also consolidate its business as part of the new acquisition and merge its Ilkley and Otley offices to bring all staff under one roof at its current flagship branch on Kirkgate, Otley.