Introduction
Seekers have the resources, local knowledge, in-house support and experience to successfully let and operate a range of developments. We tailor our services to the needs of the client and create a bespoke package to suit any development.
This document details the range of services provided by the team at Seekers and how we can deliver these on a range of projects. Please get in touch with any questions or for further information;
Yours faithfully,
Richard Ponton, Investment Director BSc (Hons) MNAEA MARLA
T: 0191 211 3965 | E: richard@waltonrobinson.com
Why Seekers?
Seekers is a big name in the Newcastle property market and we are proud to be one of the largest independent agents in the North-East Region.
Our team are highly motivated and make the most of every opportunity. Seekers benefits from a growing team of ARLA and NAEA qualified property professionals.
The Seekers team have access to a fleet of vehicles to conduct viewings, including on weekends and evenings. Each staff member has competitive targets to meet in terms of contacting our database, booking viewings, valuations, and negotiating offers.
Our experienced property management team confidently manage a diverse range of properties, blocks and portfolios for landlords based in the city, nationwide and internationally. The office is ideally situated for footfall and walk-ins, opposite Haymarket bus & metro stations and on the edge of Newcastle University city campus.
More than ever before, marketing is becoming vital to the success of a new development for both residential sales and lettings. Seekers benefit from an in-house marketing department who devise and manage dynamic campaigns for our clients to ensure their properties get noticed.
Management
Property is our world.
We’re everyday people who genuinely care about delivering brilliant service.
As our Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award shows, the reason we’ve remained at the forefront of the property industry for so long is down to delivering a courteous, high-quality service from the moment our clients contact us.
It’s a key part of our company ethos that we’re open and honest at all times. Top of our agenda is always good communication; strong dialogue is the foundation for ongoing long-term relationships.
Mark Walton
Kyle Dickson
Amy Moore
Richard Ponton
Sean Fullerton
Sally Thompson
Mark Smith
Emily Hawley
Toni Tedesco
CEO
Operations Director
Business Development Manager People and Culture Business Partner Lettings Manager
Digital Marketing Manager Investment Director
Finance Director Managing Director
Student Overview
As Newcastle’s largest HMO licence holder, Seekers looks after the investment interest of clients with assets worth around £400 million, with £120 million of property under direct management.
Our property management team look after a portfolio of over 1,500 beds for a range of landlords and funds based all over the globe.
Investment into the latest technology and ongoing staff training ensures the smooth running of our management portfolio.
Comprehensive marketing strategies ensure our brand is known and our properties are seen by students in Newcastle. We utilise UK and Chinese social media channels, property portals, online search engine optimisation (SEO) and Google Pay Per Click advertising (PPC).
One of our biggest strengths is our unbeatable location. Seekers is based on the edge of Newcastle University Campus including the hub for international students, INTO Newcastle University, as well as being just minutes away from Northumbria University Campus. We benefit from extremely high levels of student footfall and walk-in enquiries
We work with external bodies such as UCAS, Northumbria University, and popular student accommodation portals including Student.com, StuRents, and Accommodation for Students to maximise exposure of our student listings.
In November 2019 we published ‘The Ultimate Student Housing Guide 2019’, a high-quality student magazine showcasing our properties and positioning us as the go-to agent in the city.
In November 2024, we have revisited this approach digitally. The guide is embedded in our student communications, reaching over 4,000 students, tenants, and applicants. This venture is another angle from which we market our properties and maximise visibility in the competitive student rental market, at no extra cost to our landlords.
The city of Newcastle upon Tyne is the regional capital of the North East of England.
Located on the north bank of the River Tyne it has a district population of approximately 280,000 and serves a wider rural area which draws an estimated catchment population of approximately three million.
The total population in the catchment area defined by PROMIS is 1,496,000 ranking the city 3rd largest in the UK.
The city benefits from having two universities, Newcastle University and Northumbria University, with a student population in excess of 60,000.
Economy and Growth Sectors
Creative & Digital
Newcastle is home to a thriving digital sector with the North East as a whole having the highest number of start-up businesses outside London.
It is estimated the North East region is home to 28,000 creative businesses employing 26,000 people. Key established companies include Sage Plc, Eutechnyx, CCP Games, Onyx and Ubisoft Reflections.
Advanced Manufacturing
Newcastle and the North East region have a rich history of innovation and manufacturing, and have a highly skilled workforce. Key established companies include Nissan, De La Rue, Washington Armstrong UK, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce Plc, and AkzoNobel.
Science & Health
Newcastle has been designated as one of the six UK cities of science in recognition of world-class strengths, notably in the fields of healthy ageing, medical science and sustainability. As a result, the new Science Central development is underway, a 24 acre city centre mixed use project.
Key established companies include Procter and Gamble, Aesica, IDS and SCM Pharma.
Offshore & Marine
Newcastle and the North East region are major centres for the renewable and offshore energy industries in the UK.
Key established companies including Siemens, Duco Ltd, Wellstream International Ltd, Fabricom Offshore Services and The Maersk Co Ltd
Newcastle’s Student Market
Higher Education
The City of Newcastle upon Tyne is well known as a lively, friendly city with a vibrant night life, good transport links and excellent retail and leisure facilities.
It benefits from two Universities; Newcastle University (approximately 27,850 students 2022/23) and Northumbria University (circa 32,565 students 2022/23) collectively having 60,415 students enrolled; an increase on the previous academic year.
According to HESA, of the UK’s 164 Universities & Colleges, Northumbria University was ranked 17th and Newcastle University was ranked 30th in terms of enrolled student population for the academic year 2022/23, making Newcastle upon Tyne one of the largest student cities in the UK.
Newcastle has a significant lack of purpose built student accommodation with the majority of students having to rent in private homes of multiple occupation. Weekly rents for purpose built student accommodation in the city range from approximately £115 to £430 per person, producing an average rent of £273 per person. Single rooms (non-apartments or studios) broadly range from £100 to £224 per person per week, on an inclusive rental basis.
Newcastle’s Student Market
Our Services
Lettings
• Appraisal of the individual properties, giving supporting evidence for value based on current and recent transactions and market appetite
• Accompanied Viewings of the individual properties or show home
• Viewings Feedback to be provided regularly
• Lettings Progress Updates to be provided regularly
• Negotiation of Offers to acceptance
• Initial Lettings Documents & Processes;
• Property marketing particulars, including high quality photography
• AST
• Guarantor Agreements
• Credit referencing checks
• Right to Rent Checks & copies of Passports and Visas
• Collection and registration of security deposit with the chosen deposit scheme
• Collection of advanced rent or organisation of direct debits
Block / Utilities Management
Seekers’ ongoing management goal is to facilitate smooth running of a scheme with full support for both the tenants’ and the client’s needs. We know that good management is key to tenant satisfaction and creates strong demand for the development. As part of our management service, our dedicated team can;
• Organise and supervise 24/7 call out service for resolving urgent problems or emergency repairs
• Collect rent and chase any arrears where necessary
• Conduct quarterly property inspections followed up with a detailed findings/recommendations report
• Conduct end of tenancy property inspections along with a full damages report
• Deal with deposit disputes
• Organise the repairs/replacements at the end of each term inspection and liaison with the university/client regarding the same
• Ensure seamless move-in/move-out processes
• Manage and advise on supplier contracts (including but not limited to, grounds maintenance,cleaning, window cleaning, mechanical and electrical contracts) in line with the property owner’s responsibilities under the SLA
• Set up and manage an agreed service contract for the provision of internet broadband for the tenants and the management office
• Manage and execute all repairs to the property
• Arrange an inspection and valuation every 3 years
• Carry out and organise H&S and compliance checks daily weekly, monthly, bi-annually and annually
• Organise and review risk assessments including Fire Risk, Water Hygiene, Health &Safety
• Conduct regular meetings with the client and / or university
• Manage and maintain the common parts of the property covered by the Service Level Agreement
• Full responsibility for the Building Manual and it’s upkeep
• Receive, review and pay all invoices from SLA contractors
• Negotiation of contracts in place and renewal of these contracts
• Provide an on-site presence only when needed or provide a full-time on-site presence employed by Seeker’s in a caretaker/concierge role
Rent Arrears
Any rent arrears are flagged up on our automatic system and dealt with accordingly. Tenants, guarantors and landlords are contacted via SMS, email, phone calls and face to face meetings. Seekers has a procedure for further response, if required, which includes court action.
Maintenance & PropertyFile
With Seekers, any maintenance problems can be reported 24/7, which ensures reports are responded to and repairs are made as soon as possible. Tenants can use the PropertyFile online reporting system our call our 24/7 emergency helpline.
Marketing
We know marketing is key in gaining exposure of a new residential scheme. Our marketing team will tailor a bespoke marketing strategy and provide regular updates on progress.
• The Seekers Database will be targeted to ‘match’ the most relevant house-hunters with their ideal home or investment property. We keep this constantly growing database fully up to date, so we know we are contacting the right people
• Social Media promotion across several social networks including; Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+, and LinkedIn. We are also very active on Chinese social networks, Weibo and Wei Xin
• Seekers.co.uk Real-time property updates keep all our property listings accurate and all enquiries are fed immediately to our lettings team
• SEO (search engine optimisation) and Google Adwords ensures that individuals searching online for property services in Newcastle will inevitably come across Seekers.
• Property portals are an important branch of our competitive marketing strategy. We have the top tier of membership on both Rightmove and Zoopla.
• Additional advertising options can include a wide range of activities tailored to the needs and budgets of our clients such as a PR campaign to gain press coverage, outdoor advertising, external signage on a building and many other options
Our Services
Consultancy
Over two decades in the local market means we can advise on every element of property investing and development in the City. Our bespoke and specialised consultancy service is here to provide the right support and advice.
With our knowledge and experience, we can provide investors and developers with the right support and insight, to buy or build the right product, in the right area, with the right market in mind.
From a single unit, to an entire masterplan; whether it is Student Accommodation, Private Rented Sector or market housing we can advise on site acquisition, viability and exit strategy, as well as providing market reports and development appraisals.
Our consultancy experience includes:
• Hadrian’s Tower (City Grove Securities / High Street Group) – the city’s tallest residential apartment scheme.
• Newcastle Helix (Newcastle City Council / Newcastle University / LGIM) – an exemplar development proposal for sustainable city centre living.
• The Foundry (Trust Estates) - a pioneering PBSA development in Newcastle.
• Health Innovation Neighbourhood (Kajima Partnerships Limited / Newcastle Genr8 Kajima LLP) - an exciting post-graduate PBSA development within a health focused community.
Relevant Experience
Operations / Block Management / HMO Portfolios
Our team has a multi-disciplinary background, as detailed in some examples of our experience below;
The Foundry, Shieldfield
Westmorland Road,City Centre
George House, Jesmond
Barker House
The Bruce Building, City Centre
Brentwood Avenue, Jesmond
The Turnbull Building, City Centre
Sharperton House, Shieldfield
Charlton’s Bonds, City Centre
Case Study
The Bruce Building, City Centre
Seekers manages and acts as the sole operator of the 57 studio apartments within The Bruce Building.
The Grade II listed building was purchased by Michigan Investments Ltd in 2013 and the scheme to convert the former brewery offices into studio apartments was granted the following year.
After a £5 million restoration project, the historic building is now home to 57 studio apartments, office suites, retail and catering units.
Located on one of the major transport routes, The Bruce Building is situated in a prominent position in Newcastle City Centre, neighbouring Newcastle University, Northumberland Street and Eldon Square shopping centre.
The serviced office suites at The Bruce Building are available for businesses around the city.
Relevant Experience
Development Consultancy
Conversion
Preparation of market report for proposed residential regeneration of landmark site.
Development
The Foundry, Shieldfield
Hadrian’s Tower
Rutherford Street, City Centre
East Quayside, Newcastle Quayside
Strawberry Place, City Centre
Belville House, Ponteland
Brett Oil Site, Gateshead Quayside
The Bruce Building, City Centre
Charlton’s Bonds, City Centre
Trust Estates
High Street / All Saints
Citygrove
Marrico/MASH
Ponteland
CBRE
Thursby Homes
Seekers
Advised developers with proposed extensive refurbishment of 1800’s building into 22 apartments.
Development consultancy for proposed regeneration of vacant strategic land.
Ongoing development consultancy on proposed new build housing development in Ponteland.
Advised developers on proposed student scheme.
Development consultancy prior to sale of the site to High Street Group for redevelopment. Advice provided to the developer including specification, operations budgeting and sales prices.
Relevant Experience
Development Consultancy
18 Pitt Street, City Centre
JSK
Consultancy for the development of 65 student studio apartments, subsequently sold the development as record “crowd funded” investment to Property Partner.
North Street East, City Centre
S Harrison Developments & All Saints
Advised owners prior to sale for optimum planning consents, disposed of building and have been retained by the purchaser for advice on specification and amending existing planning consent.
Heber Street, City Centre
Heber Street Developments Limited
Consultancy for proposed development of 179 unit Build to Rent apartment block.
Portland Road, Shieldfield
Metnor Construction
Development consultancy for proposed student village development.
Hawks Road, Gateshead
Robertson Group
Development consultancy and market reporting for proposed Build to Rent scheme.
Invest & Develop
Seekers are here to help.
If you’re looking to invest in Newcastle, please reach out to us. We’d be delighted to advise and assist with any development endeavours that you might have in mind.
101 Percy Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7RY +44 (0)191 243 1000 enquiries@seekersproperty.co.uk seekersproperty.co.uk
We’re property people who see things differently.