Raft of contract wins propel Scanlans to milestone

Property management and surveying firm Scanlans has reached a milestone after securing a raft of block management contracts at sites across the country.

The spate of wins means Scanlans has surpassed 20,000 units under its management for the first time.

Recent instructions have come at apartment blocks in West Yorkshire, the West Midlands and East Midlands, Liverpool and Bournemouth.

The latest agreement, which enabled Scanlans to reach the milestone, came in Birmingham.

Scanlans has been appointed by Elevate Property Group to manage 79 luxury apartments at Priory House, a former forensic science laboratory in the city’s popular Southside.

The 77,000sq ft building was previously home to the Forensic Science Service, where experts analysed evidence from crime scenes for police forces in England and Wales.

Scanlans manages over 300 residential sites nationwide, from listed apartment blocks to new-build housing developments.

Other recent instructions include ones to manage 850 units across various locations for Ground Rents UK, and a number of apartment blocks in Harrogate, North Yorkshire.

Partner Ian Magenis, who heads Scanlans’ property management division, said the firm has grown its portfolio by 10 per cent in the past 12 months, largely due to recommendations from existing clients.

He added: “Reaching the 20,000 milestone is testament to the high standards of service that our dedicated and professional team provides to clients across the country, and reflects our growth as one of the largest property management firms outside the London area.

“Leeds and Birmingham have been strong areas of expansion for us, but we have also expanded our portfolio in a number of regions beyond our office locations.

“We have recruited in key positions and have developed the skillsets of existing staff to cater for an expanding client base, while at the same time investing in our systems and processes.

“Our staff are key to our development and, as a firm, we place great emphasis on internal progression to nurture them and offer a clear career path from entry level to experienced property manager.

“Alongside them, our senior management team have been with us for many years, and this ensures continuity internally and for our clients.”

Ian added: “As a firm of chartered surveyors and as members of the Association of Residential Managing Agents, we are well-placed to understand and lead our clients through an ever-changing landscape in the property management industry, especially in view of the new Building Safety Act which will mean increasing requirements in relation to compliance and accountability.

“We believe our professionalism and the depth of knowledge of our team will prove significant differentiators as clients seek out firms which are regulated by industry bodies and possess these attributes to help them meet the demands of the new landscape.

“With over 30 years of providing property management services, Scanlans is well-versed in all issues and we have developed systems to ensure the greatest level of efficiency. We’ve invested heavily in bespoke technology so residents and clients alike can interact via our online portal to progress, repairs, make payments and view documents.

“However, we do still recognise the need to provide a more intimate service, and each development has an experienced property manager as its first line of approach.

“We are confident that our robust business model, vast experience and wealth of knowledge stand us in good stead for the future in a highly competitive market.”

Alongside property management, Scanlans provides commercial and residential property valuations and surveys, expert witness, building surveying and LPA Receivership services from its offices in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.