Meet Lauren Houlihan, Lettings Manager, Pan Peninsula E14

“Lauren Houlihan knows the Docklands rental market. The lettings manager at Chase Evans’ Pan Peninsula branch on the Isle of Dogs began her career there as a negotiator, going on to roles in Greenwich and on West India Quay with the company, before returning to the office where she first cut her teeth.

Coming full circle geographically over seven year has given her a broad insight into what works and what doesn’t. The move back 15 months ago has also provided her with an opportunity to reconnect with some familiar faces.”

“I have been there back at Pan Peninsula for a year and a half now”, said the 31 year old. “It’s nice going back to speak to landlords I d’ previously worked with. They all still recognize me – there are a lot of names that stick in the memory from when I was first here. I know the Pan Peninsula towers very well – it gets to the point where you know the floorplan and what size an apartment is by its number. It’s getting that way with a lot of the developments in the area”.

“Depth of knowledge is always useful, but it becomes essential in a market that, far from being depressed by Brexit, is buoyant with rising rents and healthy level of activity. 

The demand for the area is high, - said Lauren. Brexit has had an effect but in a positive way in lettings. While people may not be buying, they still need somewhere to live so lettings has been very busy off the back of it.”

“As far as South Quay and the top of the Isle of Dogs, it’s a popular area. It really depends on people’s budgets as to what they’re looking for. You have the higher end developments such as Pan Peninsula. Dollar Bay, Lincoln Plaza and the Arena Tower.

People like the location, the facilities and the size and finish of these apartments, so they’re willing to part with more rent to get those benefits.

You also have Canary Wharf close by and you have a lot of workers there who are trying to reduce their travel costs and times. We also find many people who work in the City like this location because it’s a very short commute and you tend to get a little bit more for your money near Canary Wharf.

The transport links are perfect – you’ve got the DLR, and the Jubilee and you’ll have the Crossrail too. It’s a very busy area during the week, very buoyant, but at weekends it does slow down a bit and people like that as well. There is everything you need – supermarkets, shops and bars. For investors and landlord keen to tap into that demand, Lauren said smaller properties were turning the heads of tenants.”

“Studios in general are like hot cakes” – she said. “ sometimes they’re not even coming onto the market before we’re renting them to someone on our books and one-beds are also in demand.

While you had a lot of sharers before, people are now focusing on trying to have their own space rather then sharing facilities.”

“To maximize that rental return and to get your property let quickly, furniture is the biggest way of making it stand out. I’m always happy to guide landlords and offer advice. First impressions count so the photos are going to have a huge impact when marketing it too. Being realistic with the market is also important. The price is important – money talks.”

“If you are a bit more flexible for the quick move-in you will get your property rented first and dodge a void period that could cancel out any benefit from renting at a higher rate.”

And why choose Chase Evans?

“It’s the best agency in the area, of course,” said Lauren. “We are good at what we do, and we offer a transparent service with open and honest feedback and advice”.

This article was originally published in Wharf Life, February ’19. Author: Jon Massey, Wharf Life  (Follow Wharf Live on Twitter @wharflifelive  )  Wharf Life online

For apartments  available for rent in Pan Peninsula, London E14, CLICK HERE.

For more details about the Pan Peninsula Development, CLICK HERE