Dacre, Son & Hartley, a prominent Yorkshire property firm, has announced the acquisition of Craven Homelet Services, a long-established Settle-based letting agency. This strategic move is set to significantly expand Dacres' footprint in the North Yorkshire rental market, particularly across the North Craven and Ribblesdale areas.
Craven Homelet Services, which has been operational since 1988, brings with it a substantial portfolio of managed rental properties. As part of the acquisition, Robert Senior, the owner of Craven Homelet, will integrate into Dacre, Son & Hartley, taking on a leadership role for the firm's lettings and property management operations in the Settle region.
This latest expansion aligns with Dacres' broader growth strategy, which has seen considerable activity in its lettings division. The company relaunched this division earlier in 2024 and previously acquired North Yorkshire estate agency and rural consultancy Lister Haigh last year, which also added a significant managed portfolio. Dacres, operating from 17 offices across North and West Yorkshire, stated it has already doubled the number of rental properties under its management over the past 12 months.
Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacres, highlighted the importance of this acquisition, noting Craven Homelet's nearly four decades of experience and its extensive and varied property portfolio across the local area, including the Yorkshire Dales' Three Peaks region. He also emphasised Robert Senior's strong reputation among landlords and tenants, describing him as a crucial addition to the team.
Robert Senior commented on the timing of the acquisition, referencing the recent introduction of the Renters' Rights Act. He noted that the new legislation has increased compliance requirements for landlords, leading to a greater demand for expert support, especially amidst exceptionally high tenant demand. Senior believes that joining Dacres, with its over 200 years of operation and extensive reach, will create a highly professional and knowledgeable rentals team in the region, enhancing services for landlord clients.