One of the UK’s most enviable property contracts won by Principle Estate Management

Principle Estate Management has won one of UK’s most enviable property contracts to help look after more than 4,000 homes on the prestigious Calthorpe Estate in Birmingham.

The new contract will increase Principle’s portfolio by more than 30 per cent to over 16,000 units and will see the company take on three extra staff.

Principle has formed a self-contained unit headed by one of its existing associate directors within the business to manage the contract.

Family owned since 1717, the Calthorpe Estate covers a 640-hectare area which stretches through Edgbaston, into Harborne and Quinton.

Principle’s new contract includes the management of 1,063 long leasehold homes.

There are also 103 rented homes, from six-bedroomed, listed and detached houses to modern build-to-rent blocks of flats, plus more than 3,000 properties falling under Calthorpe Estates’ Scheme of Management contracts.

Brett Williams, joint managing director at Principle, said: “We are thrilled to have won this appointment to manage one of the UK’s most prestigious estates.

“Back in the 18th century, there were large houses on tree-lined roads with horses stabled in coach houses, and large landscaped gardens next to fields and orchards.

“The careful stewardship of the Calthorpe Estate over the last 300 years means the area has retained the remarkable charm of earlier days.

“It is now one of Birmingham’s most desirable areas to live, with an attractive mix of old and new, with modern houses and apartments often standing next to large Victorian and Georgian properties.

“This garden suburb is only minutes from the centre of Birmingham and is an enormous asset to the city, which everyone at Principle is proud to be helping to look after for future generations.”

Joe Jobson, also joint managing director at Principle, said: “One of Principle’s main jobs will be overseeing and, when necessary, enforcing the Scheme of Management, established by an Act of Parliament for the wider benefit of all residents.

“It ensures residents abide by everything from not putting washing out on Sundays to making sure their homes are properly maintained and decorated.

“There are carefully planned restrictions on issues like management of trees and building maintenance, plus any alterations must be submitted for approval, which helps maintain Calthorpe Estate as a special place to live.”

As part of the new contract, Principle will take on three experienced staff who used to work for the previous managing agent.

This includes chartered surveyor Steve Richards, who has dealt with the Scheme of Management for 25 years, along with a property inspector and property assistant.

Lauren O’Brien, a lettings manager at Principle, will join the self-contained team, which will be overseen by Andrew Winstanley, a senior associate director at the company.

Mr Winstanley has 25 years’ experience in residential property management. He is an Associate of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and a Member of the Institute of Residential Property Management.

He said: “I am relishing the opportunity to lead on property management across the Calthorpe Estate.”

Haydn Cooper, chief executive of Calthorpe Estates, said: “We had a competitive and stringent tendering process to find the right residential property manager.

“We were impressed with the approach Principle demonstrated, which aligns well with our company ethos, and we are looking forward to partnering with them to deliver excellence in this area.”

Richard Suart, property director at Calthorpe Estates, added: “Principle impressed us with their attitude, reputation, experience and attention to detail and we are now looking forward to working closely with them to maintain the magic of the Calthorpe Estate.”