Henry Rose Lettings and Sales

6th July 2021

Family business with a personal touch on property

For James and Emmelyn Cornish, running their successful family business is all about building relationships with property owners and tenants.  The two directors of Henry Rose Lettings and Sales are well known in the Ipswich area for their distinctive, personal service.  

James and his wife Emmelyn started in Epsilon House at Masterlord Office Village in 2012, later opening a high street location before deciding to work predominantly from home as the market changed. After all, with a phone and laptop, you can work from anywhere. They made use of the virtual office service at Epsilon House, where calls are answered in the company name and messages forwarded immediately by e-mail to be actioned. Epsilon House remained open throughout the pandemic, providing much needed resources for many businesses. 

“Our lettings business is busier than ever, with between 30 and 50 enquiries for each letting. There’s a shortage of properties in the Ipswich area. We decided to return to Epsilon House this year, with my brother-in-law Harry Baker joining the team. A serviced office and meeting rooms are perfect for what we need now.  It’s modern, clean and there are no maintenance worries. With the reception and postal services, everything we need is right here.”

James Cornish, Henry Rose Lettings

Personal recommendation and referrals are the secret of Henry Rose Lettings’ success, with 80% of their business being rental properties. The company advises landlords on suitable properties to buy, managing properties for maintenance, repairs and cleaning, plus electrical and gas checks, and energy efficiency ratings – all to ensure they are in compliance. 

Many landlords have a small portfolio, with some having only a single property. They are handled as efficiently as larger portfolios.  The company offers expert advice for HMO (Houses of Multiple Occupancy) property management and licensing, where facilities are shared by multiple tenants and the requirements are more complex.  

“We give our tenants as much respect and attention as we give our landlords. It’s an important element of our business, which is built on personal reputation and service.”  

James Cornish