Jonathan Werth. Joint Managing Director of LIFE Residential

I recently visited Life Residential at their bright and modern West London headquarters.

I carried out a quick interview with Joint Managing Director Jonathan Werth and was left impressed by the company’s innovative and forward-thinking approach to the services they offer. They run a very slick, well-oiled operation – all very modern and 21st century.

Here’s the interview:

Who are you?

Jonathan Werth. Joint Managing Director of LIFE Residential

How did the business start and how long have Life Residential been trading?

LIFE Residential was established in the millennium year by myself and my colleague Jason Dienaar. With both of us having worked in the property industry previously, we decided it was time for us to go it alone!

What is your agency’s greatest achievement and what made it so special?

Our greatest achievement was our merger with Galliard Residential in 2013.
It was an incredibly special time for me, as I had previously worked for them and learnt a huge amount, which still helps me today.

How has having a head office in a business park helped you to grow your business?

Having our Head Office based in a business park has given us the room and the flexibility to grow and expand the size of our office as our property management and accounts team have expanded. Having the space has allowed us to move key departments to Head Office and invest in new companies.

Your website says that 87% of your staff are NFOPP Qualified, what are the benefits of this to your customers?

Having 87% of our staff NFoPP qualified means that our expert teams are fantastically qualified to provide comprehensive advice to our clients and our staff respect each other even more when they have shared qualifications.

LIFE Residential has expanded internationally, how did you get the overseas offices up and running?

By personally attending the office viewings with key members of staff, we were able to expand our teams quickly, safe in the knowledge they had a great set up.

What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the modern estate or letting agent?

Political intervention without knowledge

Does your business value the role of social media?

In a modern, technological age, LIFE Residential embraces social media platforms as a way to keep our clients and competitors up to date with what we’re achieving. It is also a fantastic tool in recruiting young, eager professionals who use social media in place of recruitment agents.

What is your property prediction for 2015?

I believe that lettings in London will still be majorly in demand throughout 2015.

What do you think will be the biggest housing challenge facing the new government?

I think the biggest challenge for the new government will be the restrictions placed upon the planning stages of construction, slowing down the building process altogether.

Zoopla, Rightmove or OnTheMarket?

Absolutely NOT on the market

House or apartment?

Apartment

City or countryside?

City

Modern and stylish or period and original?

Modern

Rent or buy?

Rent

Completion or instruction?

Instruction

Kirstie Allsopp or Phil Spencer?

Neither!