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PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & LETTINGS
We take the time to fully understand our landlords and tenants needs. Our staff are experienced, knowledgeable,
adaptable and enthusiastic about doing a great job.
www.yourabode.co.uk
STEVE HARRIS – Managing Director
Steve is a Bristol boy born and bred; educated at Filton
High School before studying at Cardiff University.
A ten year graduate career at British Steel taught him
everything that he needed to know about good service
for clients. With one simple objective, ‘to give a better
service than anyone else’ Abode was born in 2001.
Under Steve’s leadership, Abode has grown
enormously since those early days. Steve knows pretty
much everyone who sets foot on Whiteladies Road or
cycles in Leigh Woods – and has had coffee and cake
with most of them.
MIKE DIXON – Lettings Manager
Originally from the Cotswolds, Mike moved to Bristol to
study Real Estate Valuation and Management at the
University of the West of England. Following his degree,
Mike moved back to the Cotswolds to work in Lettings
& Sales in the sleepy town of Nailsworth. Preferring the
buzz of the City, Mike came to work at Abode Property
Management in 2006. Mike is now the Lettings
Manager and perfectly placed with many years
experience. He has a real interest in property and loves
to provide the best possible service to his clients. When
not working, Mike is a keen tennis player and has a
passion for food, both eating and cooking.
who we areAbode specialises in managing and letting properties to professionals
while our sister company Digs focusses on the student market
The illustrative work in this book is by local artist and printmaker Emily Ketteringham
who Abode have chosen to commision for her mutual appreciation of Bristol buildings and horizons.
We are a leading Bristol Property Management
and Letting specialist. That’s what we do and all
that we concentrate on – and we’re passionate
about it. We take the time to fully understand
our landlords and tenants needs. Our staff are
experienced, knowledgeable, adaptable and
enthusiastic about doing a great job. We are, of
course, members of ARLA, the regulatory body in
the UK for Managing and Letting Agents.
We like to get to know you – we understand that
every landlord, every tenant and every property
is different.
We are very proud of our staff. Most are
long-serving and very experienced. Our
staff are knowledgeable, professional and
always friendly.
BEN CURME our General Manager has
been with Abode since our first day.
Ben is the font of all knowledge and he
manages the three teams that make up
Abode – Lettings, Property Management
and Finance.
MIKE DIXON our Lettings Manager makes
sure that we find the right tenant, with the
highest rent in the shortest possible time,
always in consultation with the landlord.
KERRY SWEENEY our Finance Manager has
been with us for over ten years. She’s in
charge of making sure that everyone pays
their rent on time and that you get paid
quickly. She is our point of contact
for Landlords regarding anything to do
with finance.
Along side these key individuals we
have a support team of over 10 other
professionals to look after clients expertly.
Abode was set up in 2001 by Steve Harris and partners who continue to own and run the business – he is always on hand
with expert advice and guidance
great people
true flexibilityAlways approachable and adaptable to the needs
of any individual client or situation
Abode manages over 1000 properties making it one
of the largest independent agents in Bristol. This
means that our systems are modern and robust, and
we are confident in dealing with change.
great returnsWe find the best tenants & highest rental income
We make realistic valuations based on our
considerable knowledge of the marketplace.
And we don’t just depend on our own
experience; we analyse comparisons of similar
properties via online property portals.
We carefully find tenants who treat properties
with respect and pay their rent on time. We do
this through creating a high level of interest
in viewings, meeting with all tenants before
agreeing a contract and carrying out a thorough
referencing procedure. The landlord is, of course,
kept informed at all stages.
great returns
We work with a very wide range of landlords, from
those with one tiny studio to those with a large
portfolio of properties. We want to deal with people
who care that their properties are let to good tenants
and are well managed.
Landlords can choose what they use us for – some just
advertise and want all the viewings carried out at their
property, some engage us for a letting service – and
others prefer full management. Of course we can offer
any bespoke level of service in between.
We have landlords who live around the corner who are
very hands on and more than 100 landlords overseas.
tailored to youWe are always available for a coffee and a chat – for advice on a new purchase,
visiting a proposed property or talking about your investment needs
All our properties are within the city we know well and love
knowing Bristol
The bulk of our properties are in the City
Centre, Waterfront, Temple Quay, Clifton,
Cotham, Redland, Bedminster, Southville, Sneyd
Park, Stoke Bishop and the surrounding areas.
We also have close links with other
professionals who can be called upon when
needed. For example, mortgage advisors,
accountants, planning specialists and the
skilled trades necessary to maintain property
standards and values.
We advertise on all of the property portals, on our
own website and property search app, through
our shop on Whiteladies Road and through our To
Let boards around Bristol. We are active on social
media and work closely with other agencies such as
relocation agents. All photography is professional
as we know this is key for website advertising.
Every day our lettings team meet to discuss all our
properties to let. If there are properties that are
not moving as fast as we would expect, the team
discusses whether there are adjustments that we
should make such as the aesthetics or rental price.
Sometimes we suggest changes to the landlord
after this meeting, but sometimes we agree
that the property just needs a few more days
on the market.
high visibilityWe’ve perfected the complex art of marketing properties
and reaching all the best tenants
The dedicated Property Manager will look after
your property needs and keep you and your tenants
informed. This way you always have one point of
contact who knows you and your properties well.
However, we make sure that all of the property
management team are briefed on all properties,
so in the absence of your Property Manager,
everything continues to run smoothly.
Every week our Property Managers meet to have
a complete run through of any relevant items to
ensure that both landlords and tenants are happy.
real consistency We take all the hassle and stress away – every landlord and property
under our management has their own Property Manager
keeping aheadWe keep up-to-date with changes in the residential property market
and make sure that our landlords do too
We are proud of our strong record of providing
consistently high returns for our landlords and in
ensuring happy tenants. However, we don’t sit back
and relax. We are always keen to explore new ideas
and methods of working.
We keep landlords informed with regular
e-newsletters with useful, practical information
and new opportunities.
keeping ahead
