Local firm aims to cut the bureaucracy from lettings and sales
A Rotherham property professional has left major corporate firms to establish an independent estate and lettings agency she says will restore direct contact and personal service for landlords and vendors. The venture, Lilley & Co Estates, was founded earlier this year by Megan Lilley, who has worked in property across London and South Yorkshire for more than 10 years.
Initially offering property management and lettings, the business has already expanded into residential sales as Ms Lilley sought to respond to what she describes as widespread frustration among landlords with large agencies. Her approach centres on a single, named contact for each client, rather than enquiries being routed through multiple departments and generic inboxes.
- Direct communication: routine use of messaging platforms such as WhatsApp to speed responses.
- Hands-on management: the founder handles valuations, viewings and the installation of the company’s green boards personally.
- Combined services: lettings experience used to support the marketing of tenanted homes and investor stock.
“I’ve worked in the industry for over 10 years and I’ve seen how different agencies operate. I knew there was a gap for something that felt more personal,”
Ms Lilley told WE NEWS she had seen landlords become disillusioned with large agencies where queries are passed between teams and “general email addresses”. She added: landlords want to know who is looking after their property and to be able to get hold of that person when needed.
What the new agency offers
While still small in scale, Lilley & Co Estates has broadened its remit beyond lettings into residential sales. Ms Lilley argued that experience in lettings gives important insight when marketing tenanted properties or investor portfolios.
| Service | How it is delivered |
|---|---|
| Property management | Single named contact for landlords |
| Lettings | Direct messaging via WhatsApp alongside traditional channels |
| Residential sales | Valuations and viewings handled personally |
Ms Lilley said the firm’s day-to-day operation involves her personally managing valuation visits, arranging viewing appointments and erecting the distinctive green boards that mark sales on the street. She was clear that growth is not the primary objective: she wants a business where clients know and trust the individual who is looking after their property.
That emphasis on relationship-led service comes at a time when some landlords are reassessing portfolios and seeking greater clarity and accountability from agents. By presenting a named point of contact and a willingness to use instant messaging platforms for routine updates, Lilley & Co is betting that responsiveness will be a differentiator in the local market.
Local implications
Rotherham’s housing market, like many across South Yorkshire, includes a mix of owner-occupied, private rented and buy-to-let properties. For landlords, simpler lines of communication and closer oversight can reduce the friction involved in managing tenancies and maintaining investment stock.
For tenants and vendors, a smaller, founder-led agency may offer more consistent service, although it will face competition from established chains and online platforms. The firm’s model — combining lettings and sales expertise with immediate contact via messaging apps — will be tested as it seeks to win and retain clients in the months ahead.
Ms Lilley summed up the company’s philosophy: “I don’t want to be the biggest agency. I want to build a business where people know me and trust me and know that I genuinely care about what I’m doing.” The practical challenge now will be converting that promise of personalised service into a sustainable local business that landlords, tenants and sellers can rely on.
