Landlords and letting agents are being offered a range of specialised products to ease the burden of property maintenance.
First Call Home Assist have designed the innovative new policies to cover all repair and maintenance costs that arise in properties being let out to tenants, providing a substantial saving and removing the worry.
The service has been designed to challenge the policies of industry giants British Gas and Homeserve. First Call Home Assist aims to deliver a fresh new approach to the sector by offering cheaper and better products – supported by directly employed engineers, a UK network of contractors and 24/7 claim call centre, with their policies backed by the FSA.
With a First Call Home Assist policy, all emergency repair work to boilers and central heating, electrical and plumbing is covered. The contracts also include all electrical, gas and fire compliance testing.
Paul Greaves, Managing Director of First Call Home Assist, said they have spent the last six months establishing a UK-wide trade network, setting up its Halifax-based call centre and refining its product offering to allow it to successfully compete in the home assistance policy marketplace.
He said: “We know there is a demand for a company that offers a fresh, new approach to home assistance policies that are not just cheaper than other bigger rivals, but provide the kind of service customers actually want.
“We carried out extensive research on the range of services for landlords and letting agents currently available and identified and selected the best elements to complete the First Call Home Assist policy offering. That means we offer unlimited call outs, all-inclusive parts and labour, two hour response rates and features such as taking on homes with boilers that are up to 20 years old.
“We have spotted a niche in this sector, particularly with landlords who want to have their properties rented out for the minimum amount of fuss.
“Our unique service means that the tenant can contact our help desk 24hrs a day using a dedicated phone number and arrange for repairs to be carried out which means no more hassle for the landlord, and happy tenants.
“We are the only company in the UK offering this service. Some may offer maintenance elements, but none are offering a fixed fee contract which also includes services such as boiler and heating cover, gas and electrical safety testing and 24/7 emergency call-out.”
Glasgow based lettings agency Merchant Lettings are the latest firm to recognise the value of First Call’s specialist landlord cover. Senior Property Manager Donna Ewing said:
“Through our new partnership with First Call Home Assist, we are confident our new and existing clients will find excellent value and unrivalled service standards whilst making the upkeep of their property easier.
“With over 25 years experience in the lettings sector, we know what our clients need, and First Call’s policies are exactly that.”
First Call Home Assist is offering a range of policies, with a multi-policy discount available for landlords covering more than one property. An all-in policy costs from £27.99 a month (inc VAT). All the work is carried out by the firm’s expert contractor teams who operate on a round the clock basis across the UK.
