Partner Agents

 

 

At Smart Welcomes we know that estate agents and letting agents are at the very centre of the property market. You are the first point of contact for landlords who are thinking about letting, selling or finding new income streams. Our Partner Agents programme is designed to give you an additional solution to offer those landlords – one that strengthens your relationship with them and creates new revenue opportunities for you.

 

 

Why Partner With Smart Welcomes?

 

 

We specialise in operating short-term rentals, serviced apartments, guest houses and pop-up hotels across Plymouth and the South West. Over the past five years we have built a portfolio of more than 70 properties and welcomed over 30,000 guests. Alongside this, we run our own commercial laundry, housekeeping and maintenance teams, giving us complete control of operations and quality.

 

For agents, this means:

 

• You can offer your landlords an alternative to traditional letting – without the hassle of running it yourself.

• You can retain the relationship with your landlords while we handle the day-to-day operations.

• You can benefit from referral fees, commission or partnership income.

• You can enhance your reputation as a forward-thinking agent who has more than one solution when a landlord comes to you with a challenge.

 

 

 

The Opportunity

 

 

The property market is changing. Many landlords are under pressure from new regulations, rising mortgage costs, and reduced profitability in the buy-to-let sector. At the same time, demand for short-term rentals, contractor stays, and flexible accommodation is growing.

 

Agents are often caught in the middle – wanting to keep landlords happy, but limited in the solutions they can offer. This is where Smart Welcomes comes in. We provide a professional, fully managed short-term rental model that helps landlords maximise income, while agents keep the client relationship and earn additional fees.

 

 

How It Works

 

 

1. You Identify the Landlord

   When you have a landlord who is exploring their options – whether they are struggling with traditional lettings, considering selling, or simply looking for higher returns – you can introduce them to us.

2. We Assess the Property

   Our team carries out a full assessment of the property to determine suitability for short-term rental or serviced accommodation. We look at location, layout, demand drivers, and likely nightly rates.

3. We Propose the Best Model

   We present the landlord with tailored options, which might include:

    

   • A fully managed short-term rental arrangement.

   • A guaranteed rent or profit-share deal.

   • Refurbishment support followed by management.

    

4. We Handle Operations

   Once agreed, Smart Welcomes takes care of everything – from furnishing, compliance and photography through to bookings, guest relations, housekeeping, laundry and maintenance.

5. You Benefit

   As the introducing agent, you receive your referral fee or ongoing commission, while maintaining the landlord relationship for future sales, renewals or portfolio advice.

 

 

 

Benefits for Agents

 

 

• Retain & Attract Landlords

  By offering more than just ASTs or sales, you position yourself as a true partner to landlords, helping them explore all income options. This makes landlords less likely to leave you for a competitor.

• Earn Extra Income

  Every introduction can generate revenue for your business. Whether through referral payments, shared commission or structured partnerships, there is a direct financial benefit.

• Differentiate Your Agency

  In a competitive marketplace, having Smart Welcomes as part of your offering gives you a unique selling point. While other agents are limited to sales and long-term lets, you can talk confidently about short-term accommodation as a viable option.

• No Operational Burden

  We handle everything – bookings, marketing, guest management, cleaning, laundry, maintenance and compliance. You don’t have to employ staff, chase guests, or deal with the day-to-day running of short-term rentals.

• Build Long-Term Relationships

  Many landlords who try short-term rentals with us eventually sell or expand their portfolio. As their trusted agent, you stay at the centre of those decisions.

 

 

 

Our Track Record

 

 

Smart Welcomes is not an unproven start-up. We have a five-year history of operating across multiple property types, including:

 

• Serviced Apartments – over 70 units currently managed in Plymouth.

• Hotels & Guesthouses – such as The Imperial and Ocean Stays.

• Pop-Up Hotels – seasonal operations in student blocks and other properties.

• Landlord Solutions – tailored models that help property owners maximise returns.

 

 

We process over 400,000 items per year through our commercial laundry, employ a housekeeping team of 20+, and manage thousands of bookings annually. This scale gives landlords confidence and reassures agents that they are introducing a partner with real operational depth.

 

 

How We Support Our Partner Agents

 

 

We don’t just take introductions – we work closely with our partner agents to make the relationship smooth and profitable. Support includes:

 

• Co-branded marketing materials you can use with landlords.

• Training sessions for your team so they can confidently talk about the short-term rental option.

• Fast response times for landlord referrals – we know timing is everything.

• Transparent referral fees so you know exactly what you’ll earn.

• Regular updates so you stay informed and involved.

 

 

 

Who We Work With

 

 

We partner with:

 

• Estate agents wanting to offer more than just sales.

• Letting agents whose landlords are considering exiting ASTs.

• Property managers looking to refer out properties that don’t fit their current portfolio.

• Commercial agents with buildings that could be repurposed as short-term accommodation.

 

 

 

A Win-Win Relationship

 

 

By working with Smart Welcomes, agents can say “yes” more often. When a landlord asks about alternatives, you don’t have to turn them away. Instead, you can introduce them to a proven operator who will look after them, reward you financially, and strengthen your reputation.

 

This is not about replacing what you already do – it’s about adding another string to your bow. You remain the landlord’s trusted adviser, while we deliver the operational expertise to make short-term accommodation work.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

 

The property market is changing fast, and landlords expect more from their agents. By partnering with Smart Welcomes, you can meet those expectations, earn additional income, and keep landlords loyal to your agency.

 

With our track record in hotels, guest houses, serviced apartments and pop-up hotels, plus our in-house housekeeping, laundry and maintenance teams, we are uniquely placed to deliver results for landlords and agents alike.

 

If you’re an estate or letting agent looking to stand out in a competitive market, Smart Welcomes can help you do just that. Together we can give landlords more choice, guests better stays, and your agency new revenue streams.