Four independent estate and letting agents across northern England have established a collaboration network to share operational practices and serve landlords with multi-city portfolios.
The network, named Centro, comprises Zenko City Living in Leeds, Reside in Manchester, City Residential in Liverpool and Sanderson Young in Newcastle upon Tyne. The four firms collectively manage over 2,000 residential properties across the North of England, with each having operated in their respective markets since the 1990s.
Multi-city service model
Duncan G Young, chairman at Sanderson Young, said the collaboration provides clients with access to knowledge and experience across four major urban centres in the North of England. He noted the firms had previously worked together at property investor shows in Manchester and London Docklands, making connections with investment groups involved in regional residential schemes.
Jonathan Morgan, partner at Zenko City Living, said the network enables the four firms to recommend trusted operators to clients requiring services outside their core geographical market. The arrangement also facilitates sharing of market intelligence and operational practices across the four cities.
Market context
Morgan said the network’s launch coincides with changes in the city centre residential property market. He noted that many apartment developments have completed cladding remediation works, whilst proposed leasehold reforms including plans to cap ground rents at £250 per year are approaching implementation.
The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act in England on 1 May 2026 is prompting more landlords to seek fully managed lettings services to ensure compliance with regulatory changes, according to Morgan. The new legislation follows recent compliance requirements facing letting agents across the sector.
The four firms operate in markets distinct from suburban housing, focusing on city centre residential sales and lettings. Each member of the network maintains independent ownership whilst coordinating on client referrals and knowledge sharing across Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.
