New rental service hopes to make a difference to Wisbech

Houses of multiple occupancy often have a bed press – but a new business in Wisbech is hoping to clean up the image.

Sharon Carter has launched Regal in a bid to make a difference to the community in Wisbech along with landlords and tenants.

Miss Carter launched the business, in Bridge Street, two weeks ago and is already seeing a good response from landlords and tenants.

The service aims to provide peace of mind for tenants and landlords, along with people living next door to houses of multiple occupancy.

Miss Carter said: “Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and I fear there is a perception of HMOs.

“Some of the people who rent rooms are vulnerable or don’t have the support system that others have. I want to make a noticeable difference for the community, as well as being beneficial for the tenants and landlords.

“I would like to think that in a year’s time there will be a massive difference.”

Problems have been seen in recent years of unscrupulous tenants sub-letting properties without the knowledge of the owner. This then creates issues with unpaid bills and lost deposits.

But Regal is hoping to stop these problems by ensuring that properties meet the required safety standards and are let properly with rental agreements and protected deposits.

Cleaning services will also be used to ensure communal areas in the home are kept tidy.

Plus Miss Carter and property consultant Luke Ingle-Lovell are aiming to take a holistic approach with tenants.

They will be emailing vacancies to housing charities, along with creating information packs to signpost tenants to places for help with various problems.

Miss Carter, who also runs C Carter’s Estate Agency and A1 Property, will also provide advice to landlords.

She said: “We have had a really positive response from people.

“We have landlords ringing up and asking for advice and guidance.”