With more than 85 branches serving more than 20,000 landlords Northwood are one of the UK’s largest and most successful lettings agencies.

Northwood branches have now joined Dlighted’s deposit-free renting revolution, including Northwood Dulwich.

Director Stuart Williams told us why:

“I like to try new things, and this looked to be a good product.  We never get back the amount of the deposit we feel we should in any dispute, so we were looking for better protection.

“We also see it as a way to attract more tenants, especially as the current market has allowed tenants to be more particular.

“It has definitely made it easier to attract tenants and landlords. I feel this is the future of lettings.

“Other deposit free renting firms are out there but Dlighted still offers the best protection for the money as it covers deposit and arrears and legal.

“Not having a deposit has removed the administrative headache and risks associated with deposits. Failing to protect a deposit correctly can result in heavy fines and the inability to evict a tenant. Dlighted removes that risk. It also saves us time on every tenant interaction.

“Dlighted are very good to work with, and getting better all the time”

Agents using Dlighted have reported experiencing reduced administration costs, increasing tenant and landlord enquiries and additional revenue, with 85% of tenants surveyed giving deposit free renting as their reason for choosing an agent.

Established in 2002, Watermill Properties are landlords to renters throughout Tyne and Wear, Northumberland, County Durham and Cleveland.

The Sunderland-based property management firm were among the first large landlords to join Dlighted’s deposit-free renting revolution.  

Assistant Manager Elizabeth Ellis explains the Dlighted difference.

“We decided to try deposit-free as we hoped it would attract more applicants to our vacant properties and make us stand out from the competition.

“Going deposit-free has absolutely made it easier to attract tenants as it has made renting with us more affordable and achievable.

“Our advertisements all state ‘Deposit Free’ and we feel that this really separates us from the competition and brings customers to us.

“Old fashioned cash deposits can’t compete with the protection we get from deposit free renting- more than half a million pounds of cover and protection from legal fees and rent arrears too.

“ I think deposit free renting is worth looking into for all Landlords and agents.

“Dlighted have been very easy to work with. The online portal is efficient and easy to navigate and all in all we are very satisfied.”

Deposit-free renting with Dlighted makes it easier for landlords to find and keep good tenants, while offering more than £600,000 of protection again property damage, legal fees and unpaid rent.