Property searches do not always follow a straight line. Sometimes they pause. Sometimes plans change. And occasionally, everything moves at once.
Last year was the first time PLG had been brought on board to assist with this particular rental search.
The family were renting a property that had been sourced through another property finding company. From the outset, there were safety concerns relating to the client’s needs. After undertaking a short period of searching for alternative accommodation, we were placed on hold while the wider team explored whether adaptations could be agreed with the existing landlord to make the home safer.
Unfortunately, those adaptations could not be agreed and several months later we were instructed to resume the search.
Then, on a Wednesday morning at 11.41am, confirmation came through that the landlord would not be proceeding with the proposed works. Could PLG restart immediately?
Twenty minutes later, the client’s mum sent a link to a property she had just found. She had already arranged a viewing for 4pm that afternoon.
Recognising the Moment
On paper, the property stood out. The layout was generous. The location worked. The overall scale suggested it could support the client’s needs and their care arrangements.
Rather than waiting, a member of the Property Finding team attended the viewing in person. Not because speed was the goal, but because opportunities in the rental market rarely wait to be assessed later.
Being there meant the team could look beyond the listing. The focus was not on presentation, but on circulation, usable space and adaptability.
One immediate consideration was a swimming pool in the rear garden. For some searches, that might have ended the conversation. Instead, the question became whether it could be made safe. With the right measures in place, including non slip decking and appropriate ramped access, it could.
That assessment changed the direction of the search.
Moving Carefully, Moving Quickly
The following morning, early conversations took place with the legal team. Initial comments were shared before formal paperwork had even caught up. Alignment came first.
By 9.25am, authorisation had been given to submit an offer.
The landlord, based in a different time zone, was initially open but understandably cautious. A previous tenancy had not ended well and concerns were raised about reinstatement and how adaptations would be managed.
This is where clarity matters.
The tenancy structure, reinstatement provisions and scope of works were set out clearly and professionally. Adaptations were discussed openly, including how the pool area would be secured. Reinstatement obligations were written into the agreement to provide certainty for the landlord.
By 4.30pm on Friday, just over 52 hours after the instruction had been reactivated, the offer was accepted subject to referencing and contract.
A Different Kind of Spotlight
From the outside, it might look like a fast deal. In reality, it was about recognising the right moment and having the confidence to act when it appeared.
There was an element of timing. The property became available just as the instruction restarted. The client’s mum spotted it quickly. The agent relationship helped communication flow smoothly.
But timing alone is not enough. Acting on it requires calm assessment, early alignment with the client team and clear communication with landlords.
Reassurance is a significant part of the Property Finding role. Many landlords have understandable concerns about adaptations and reinstatement. Addressing those concerns professionally, setting expectations clearly and ensuring protections are built into agreements allows tenancies to move forward with confidence.
What This Reinforced
This was not about strategy or scale. It was about being ready.
Ready to step back in when circumstances changed.
Ready to attend a viewing at short notice.
Ready to give a landlord the clarity they needed to say yes.
In a tight rental market, success is often about recognising potential and acting decisively without losing care or control.
For the family involved, this meant stability at a point when it was urgently needed.
And for the Property Finding team, it was a reminder that sometimes the window opens briefly. The difference lies in being prepared to move when it does.
