Sam Price

In the light of the Renters’ Rights Act, the lettings world is changing for the better; there is more protection for tenants, and higher standards are being upheld for landlords. Rather than try to make an old fashioned approach fit the new world, we decided to create a brand new agency, compliant from its inception, and built around likeminded, responsible landlords striving for professionalism and high standards. We will be launching residential homes, professional house-shares and student homes from mid-May to early-June.

I have joined Lynchpin as Transitional Director at a crucial time in the company’s growth. Working with stakeholders, clients and an excellent existing staff to review, update and rework compliance, policies, procedures and tenancy management ready for the transitions under the Renters’ Rights Act. Having formed excellent relationships with the staff and executives, once this transitional period is completed, I will stay on hand as consultant and advocate.

Founding partner, residential property developer working in C4 and sui-generis HMO property in Plymouth; working to transform tired and neglected properties in and around the city to provide highest quality, energy-efficient, high-end properties to contractors, working professionals and students. We work with renewables (PV and air-source heat pumps) to limit cost for our tenants, and high quality developments to provide comfortable and sustainable homes.

Operations manager for start-up, artisanal rum distillery. In this role I have helped direct the founder's enthusiasm and vision in to a functioning manufacturing process and viable business. Having started from the ground up, Vault 53 has now passed all of the (many) legislative hurdles to manufacture from scratch a distilled spirit, and produce and sell from our premises on Mutley Plain. I have overseen the conversion of the premises from former bank, through the installation of bespoke manufacturing equipment, and maintained both quality control and our environmental procedures throughout. We have built local connections with relevant businesses in our supply chain to both use local precursor products, and supply down-stream businesses with our locally created product.

Fully manage day-to-day running of student and residential lettings, and estate agency, Fully manage team of staff in line with current employment law, including recruitment, HR, formal disciplinary procedures, and internal training. Full management of industry compliance and internal policy and direction, Make advised decisions on tenancy law, contract law and current legislation, Manage budgets, promotions, and finances of company with an annual turnover of £5M, Project manage construction and refurbishment of multi-let property; Property Management of 20+ company owned buildings, and acquisition of additional property.

In June of last year I was promoted to Senior Property Manager. This followed a reshuffle of management, whereby the level of General Manager was eliminated from the company structure. I now consult directly with the Managing Director on company strategy, direction and promotions. In addition to my previous duties as Property Manager, I now also oversee budgets for advertising, improvement of company-owned property. I now also manage any complaints raised above level of Property Manager. My additional office responsibilities include the management of maintenance and upkeep of the company vehicles. As part of this role I am required to lead the front of office team, and manage their performance and ensure targets are met. Further, I now liaise directly with prospective landlords looking at purchasing by-to-let property, both residential and HMO. To do this, I keep appraised of local planning and health and safety regulations, as well as local market conditions.

I work for FISA as a live race commentator for World Rowing events. To date I have worked at five World Under 23 Championships, the World Senior Championships, five World Junior Championships, four European Championships and a two World Coastal Championships as well as a five World Cups. These events require a lot of research before-hand, and are broadcast live around the world by internet stream, television and radio with a live audience uptake of around a half a million people a day, event and time-zone dependant. This demands great attention to detail to deliver clear and disciplined mass communication.

Whilst at Shorey’s, my main role has been to manage both student and residential lets. Individually, I am responsible for the maintenance of homes for around 400 students, and 40 residential properties. I am fully versed in all aspects of residential (domestic) lettings. This covers all aspects from health and safety, major refurbishment and day-to-day maintenance. This job requires interaction between tenants, potential tenants, landlords and contractors, and negotiation of deposits – I have also attended a training event hosted by the Deposit Protection Service on alternate dispute resolution. I have worked with both the TDS and the DPS previously. This role also involved meeting members of Plymouth City Council, for HMO inspections, and ensuring houses are to current standards. Shorey’s is an ARLA Agent, and as such I am used to adhering to their stringent code of conduct. I also take on new property, and aspect of the job I particularly enjoy, and succeed at. Aside from property management, I also look after the advertising presence of the firm; from advertising in local papers, to the management of the website. This includes SEO work, the use of Google Analytics and Adwords. I also manage the brand’s social media outlets; Facebook, Twitter, Google+. I have used a variety of content management systems, and file transfer protocols. We are currently implementing Landlord Manager for Sage, I also have a working knowledge or Soulman, Whilst in this position, I attained certification as part of the National Landlord Accreditation Scheme.