Barnet Council opens UK’s first commercial estate agency with a promise to reinvest profits to help deliver council services

New Barnet has been chosen as the location for the UK’s first local authority owned estate and lettings agency.

Bumblebee Property has an office in the parade of shops next to Sainsbury’s super store.

The agency is a subsidiary of the not-for-profit Barnet Group which is wholly owned by Barnet Council, and which also runs Barnet Homes which manages around 15,000 council homes and leasehold properties.

East Barnet Road was chosen as a site for high shop for Bumblebee Property because there are no other estate agents in the immediate vicinity.

Bumblebee, which provides commercial lettings services for Barnet Homes and other clients, has been operating online for the last eight years.

Opening a high street shop in the heart of New Barnet is described as an important step in bringing the agency’s services direct and in person to residents, landlords, buyers and renters, strengthening Bumblebee’s presence in the local community.

The agency says it offers personal advice and local knowledge to help people find, let or manage homes across North London and neighbouring areas.

A ceremony was held in East Barnet Road to mark the official opening of what the council says is a commercial business with a social purpose. Bumblebee reinvests profits into supporting the delivery of Barnet Group’s services.

“What started as a vision for a fairer estate agency has developed into a trusted property service delivering real value across our communities.”

In addition to providing commercial letting services on behalf of the council, Bumblebee works in partnership with the council’s environmental health team to bring empty properties back into use and oversees property disposals on behalf of both the council and Barnet Group.

During a recent survey, council officials visited 100 homes recorded as being empty – just some of the 5,361 long-term empty properties across the borough.

The aim was to ensure owners are paying the appropriate empty property premium – which can be up to 300 per cent of the normal council tax – and to explain the options for bringing them back into use when housing remains in high demand.

Owners of long-term empty properties may be eligible to a grant of up to £40,000 if they agree for their property to be let through Bumblebee Property to provide a home for five years.

Councillor Ross Houston, cabinet member for housing, hopes that by ensuring property owners realise the value of their assets, this could help reduce the demand for temporary accommodation.

“The council is facing a critical housing and homelessness crisis, leading to a massive increase to over 3,000 households living in temporary accommodation at a cost which has more than tripled since 2023.”