Time for a cuppa? 5 Minutes with Gillian Cooper

With extensive experience in the Dunmow lettings market, Gillian Cooper works closely with landlords, tenants and investors to help them achieve the best possible outcomes. We caught up with Gillian to discuss the current rental market, investment opportunities and her advice for both new and experienced landlords.

The rental market in Great Dunmow remains extremely active, with demand from tenants continuing to outweigh the number of available properties.

We are seeing a consistently high number of tenants looking to rent across Dunmow and the surrounding villages, which means well-presented homes are often attracting strong levels of interest. For landlords, this continues to create positive opportunities within the local market.

Many investors are becoming increasingly selective about the properties they purchase.

With service charges continuing to rise, we're seeing a noticeable shift towards well-presented freehold properties, which can often offer greater long-term value and lower ongoing costs. Investors are taking a more considered approach and looking closely at overall returns rather than simply focusing on the purchase price.

Woodlands Park continues to be one of the most desirable locations for investors in the Dunmow area.

The development is particularly popular with families thanks to its excellent range of nearby schools, green spaces and convenient local amenities. Family homes in this location continue to generate strong tenant demand, making them an attractive option for landlords looking for long-term investment opportunities.

One of the biggest misconceptions is that being a landlord is time consuming and difficult to manage.

In reality, with the support of an experienced lettings agent, it doesn't have to be. At Beresfords, we build strong relationships with our landlords and take care of every stage of the letting process, from marketing the property and finding the right tenant to managing compliance and providing ongoing support. Our aim is to make letting a property as straightforward and stress free as possible.

My advice would be to choose an agent you feel comfortable working with, and don't be afraid to ask plenty of questions.

A good letting agent will take the time to understand your goals, explain the process clearly and provide honest advice to help you make informed decisions. Building that relationship from the beginning can make all the difference, particularly if you're investing for the first time.

It's important to view a wide range of properties before making a decision and speak with local agents about which types of homes are likely to perform best as rental investments.

Understanding the level of demand, expected rental income, and the services your letting agent can provide will help you make a more informed investment. Taking professional advice before purchasing can help ensure you choose a property that not only suits your budget but also delivers strong long-term rental potential.