HERON'S HISTORY

Heron was started in 1989 as a special letting service to the business sector of the community. Being based between Norwich and Great Yarmouth there was a strong demand for quality accommodation for personnel from oil-related industries who were moving in to the area on temporary two-year contracts. These people were often leaving families behind to start 'new' jobs, having to try and find accommodation for their families and driving long distances home, or even returning abroad, at the weekends. They did not have time to go into the city-based agencies to register before they could even view a property.

• OUR POLICY
  Heron adopted the policy that as most of these people were working for large national/international companies (who often recommended their personnel to us) they would be already well vetted. We assessed their needs on the telephone, selected a property or two that fitted their requirements, arranged to meet them at the property where all the form filling etc. was completed, and the next time we saw them was on check-in day. We provide a service where all their needs in terms of the property were arranged by us, we advised them on local schooling, arranged the utilities, provided a welcome basket of groceries etc.
   
• WHO WE WORK WITH
  Word soon spread and we are now approached on a regular basis by companies such as Shell Uk, Schlumberger, Norwich Union, Lotus Cars, etc, for both single personnel and family-sized accommodation including the larger country mansion-style property for senior executives.
   
• WHY ARE WE DIFFERENT
  Many letting agencies have since sprung up but we continue to provide a warm friendly no-nonsense service and are renowned throughout Norfolk for our excellent personal care of the properties in our portfolio (hence our original name 'Heron Homecare' until the increase in care homes for the elderly that began to cause a certain amount of confusion!). We are very conscious of the fact that your property is often your largest investment and at some point you may wish to return to it as your home. We aim to ensure that it remains in as good a state as when you left it, with all the care and attention it has required in the meantime.
   
• MOVING WITH THE TIMES
  In recent years we have added a significant portion of the buy-to-let market to our portfolio, particularly in regard to the new riverside complexes that are being developed in Norwich. We can assist with very competitive buy-to-let mortgages, portfolio management, and other related services through established contacts in these areas. Despite this side of the business being aimed at the more commercially oriented landlord we still aim to provide a top quality management service dealing only with landlords who are prepared to maintain high standards for the properties they let.