Since 2009, the team behind HOP have been working to shake things up in the Leeds lettings market.
From humble beginnings in a spare bedroom to the multi-faceted business it is today, we remain driven by a determination to grow and continually improve our service through technology and innovation. Take a look at our timeline and learn a little bit more about our journey to become HOP.
Where it all began
Established in 2009, Luke created the business – known at the time as Let Leeds – after moving away from a major housebuilder during the recession. Spotting an opportunity in the market, Luke had noticed a large increase in the Private Rental Sector. Let Leeds was born in his spare bedroom with a £3000 investment.
2010
Let Leeds took on its first employee who helped build the business to 60 managed properties in the portfolio. Let Leeds moved into its first proper office, which was a 2-person office within the University buildings working in a business incubation unit working alongside other entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.
2011
Let Leeds successfully tendered and won a deal with GVA to take on and manage 50 city centre flats, helping to accelerate the growth and reputation of the business.
Website launch
The business appointed Ina4 to develop a brand new website, which becomes one of the most recognised and visited names in the locality. We worked with the University Graduate placements scheme to appoint two new members to the team. They worked hard to bring in new Landlords as well as let properties in the Student Market. Both placements moved on to big things and are still working in the industry in top corporate jobs.
Leeds Branch on Burley Road opens
During 2013 Let Leeds fully refurbished and moved into its own premises on Burley Road. Let Leeds won a number of awards for property marketing and outstanding customer service, including the Sunday Times best independent agent in the North of England. Click here to read more about Our Awards.
2014
The company further accelerated its growth of employees and its portfolio of both professional and student properties, managing hundreds of properties across Leeds. The business appointed a new Branch Manager, a high flyer at the company having joined the business just 18 months prior as a Lettings Negotiator to become a leading figure in the organisation.
Our first acquisition
2015 was an exciting and pivotal year for the business with the company’s first acquisition. Let Leeds bid against 4 other competitors to secure the acquisition of Greenhaven Properties, adding further properties to its managed portfolio and setting up a new Branch in West Leeds.
Pudsey Branch opens
In 2016, Let Leeds appointed a further Branch Manager to manage the newly refurbished Pudsey Branch. We also appointed Arris to refresh our brand to differentiate ourselves from other agents and encapsulated our fresh approach and love of property. By the end of 2016, Let Leeds had grown its portfolio to 600 properties under management.
2017
Let Leeds continued its growth, both in student HMO properties and the professional lettings market. With the ban on Tenant Fees looming, Let Leeds removed its signing fees for all students and offers bills inclusive properties as standard. The business appoints a Marketing Manager to oversee all of its marketing.
Investment Sales Launch
Let Leeds completed the acquisition of two further Lettings business, Frog88 and Let’s Go Professional. We also launched our specialist investment sales operation, specialising in the sale and transfer of investment and tenanted properties.
Acquisitions 4 & 5
We took our total acquisitions to 5, taking over the portfolios of two further Lettings Businesses of Milnes Walker and Parklands Estate Agents. We also restructured and centralised our Property Management operation to provide an even more focused service to tenants and landlords. Work began on our Investors in People accreditation.
2020
With big plans to launch Sales and Block Management, and add a third branch to its network, Let Leeds appointed agencies OnFire and Caslon and Co to rebrand the business to HOP including all marketing materials and a brand-new website. Also in 2020, we were awarded the Investors in People Accreditation, internalised our accounts functions and completed our first major development of 6 flats. The HOP team grew further, now standing at 22 people.
What’s next?
HOP plans to launch its third Branch office in 2021, upgrade its technology and software systems, appoint more new staff, and further accelerate the growth of its Block Management and Property Sales departments. HOP will also complete a further property development in LS7 to add to its development portfolio.