Property boss sorry for ‘misleading’ letter
A PROPERTY director has apologised after sending out ‘disingenuous’ letters to residents claiming to be from a family wanting to move into the area.
Residents across Greater Manchester have been receiving letters purporting to be from a ‘local family looking to buy in the area.’
“Please excuse the direct approach...,” the letter begins. But as I have driven past your home numerous times, I wanted to see if you would be interested in speaking to us regarding whether you might consider selling your property or properties in the area.”
One resident in Levenshulme, who has asked not to be named, said they were drawn to the photo of a young family included.
“I didn’t think it was too odd at first,” they said. “Reading on, it became clear that this was not actually a family wanting to buy a house in our area but a company. The letter said they will purchase with cash, in any condition, within two to four weeks.”
While the letters aren’t illegal, the resident says they are ‘disingenuous.’
The letters were sent from Jay Puddy, a property director for a number of companies in Greater Manchester. He has said the letters were meant to be a personal approach and has apologised for the misunderstanding.
Matt Wynne, councillor for Edgeley and Cheadle Heath, said: “People are out of work, struggling for money due to the economic fallout from this pandemic. It appears that these people have took it upon themselves to use it as an opportunity to add to their property portfolio, by posing as a nuclear family desperately looking for a family home that are willing to pay in cash in the hope that someone struggling with income will sell their house to them quickly and at a low price.
“Apparently Mr Puddy is a ‘Stockport Property Expert’ according to the pages he authors on social media and has a ‘multi-million pound property portfolio,’ which makes what he has done even more particularly repugnant.”
Mr Puddy said: “Whilst we can see how the letter could be misleading, it is important to point out that we are a family-run business who live locally and the service we offer is only there if people need it.” He added: “Our business exists to assist not offend, we are simply proud of our family, our Manchester roots and we’re just trying to come across as personal, we can only apologise if that message has been misunderstood. We will immediately review our marketing and will not issue this letter again. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.”