Meet Sarah Bannister | Letting Agents in Solihull

Behind every agreed tenancy, there are people working to keep the process moving. Applications need to progress, referencing needs to be completed, and both landlords and tenants need to know what happens next. In the latest instalment of our Meet the Team series, we’re introducing Sarah Bannister, who joined Partridge Homes earlier this year and plays an important part in that process.

Sarah guides landlords and tenants through referencing and the move-in journey, keeping everyone informed from the initial application right through to moving day. We caught up with her to find out more about her career, family life with her partner Daniel and son Charlie, her lifelong support of Wolves, and a charity trek through the Swiss Alps that she’ll not forget in a hurry.

Starting Out in Lettings

Sarah began her career in property at Martin & Co around 2023, working as a lettings negotiator. It was a deliberate choice: “I’d always been interested in property, so it gave me the opportunity to get into an industry I was really keen to work in.”

After returning from maternity leave, her role had shifted towards business development, social media and marketing. She missed the day-to-day lettings work and wanted to get back to it. Word about Partridge Homes had reached her too: “I’d heard lots of good things about it being family-run and how lovely the team were. That really appealed to me.”

What Sarah Does at Partridge Homes

Once a let has been agreed, Sarah takes over. She manages the referencing process from the tenant’s initial application through to the point they collect their keys, and keeps landlords updated throughout so nothing comes as a surprise.

Referencing typically involves four main checks: a credit check, income and employment verification, a reference from the current or previous landlord, and a right to rent check. The process usually takes between two and five working days, though it can take longer depending on the applicant’s employer or circumstances.

Getting this stage right matters more than ever. Section 21 was abolished on 1 May 2026, which means landlords can no longer end a tenancy without giving a specific legal ground. A possession claim now typically takes four to twelve months from notice to enforcement. Thorough referencing at the outset is one of the most practical ways to reduce risk.

Sarah’s approach is straightforward: “For me, it’s about keeping people updated. Whether that’s through telephone calls or emails, I make sure they understand each step and know what happens next. Having that regular communication helps everyone feel more reassured throughout the process.”

Settling Into the Team

Sarah says the welcome she received from the team made the transition easy: “Everyone has been so welcoming from day one. There’s a lovely family feel, and the team are really caring. They’ve made me feel welcome, and they’re all lovely people to work with.”

That family feel isn’t incidental. Partridge Homes has been family-run since 2006 and has won the British Property Awards for Best Letting Agent in Solihull four years running. Between January and April 2026, the firm arranged 129 new lettings, up from 72 in the same four months of 2025. The team currently manages around 500 tenancies across Solihull, Birmingham and the surrounding areas.

Life Outside the Office

Away from work, Sarah’s life revolves around her partner Daniel and their son Charlie. “Life with Daniel and Charlie is lots of fun, but also very chaotic!” she says. The three of them enjoy family trips and holidays, and both Sarah and Daniel follow the football.

Charlie, she says, is obsessed with cars and trucks. Asked what makes her proud of him, her answer is immediate: “Seeing him become more confident every day and watching his little cheeky personality come through. It’s lovely seeing him grow into his own person.”

A Wolves Family Through and Through

Sarah’s support of Wolverhampton Wanderers goes back generations. “My whole family are Wolves supporters, so it’s very much a family thing.” She used to hold a season ticket and still goes to matches with her dad whenever she can.

The family connection to the club runs deep. Her grandfather has been a season ticket holder for years and even wrote a book that Steve Bull attended the signing for. “Wolves have always been a big part of family life,” she says.

A Trek With Purpose

One of the experiences Sarah speaks about most warmly is a three-day charity trek through the Swiss Alps, which she completed alongside her dad and godfather. The cause was mental health, something she feels strongly about and is open in discussing.

“It’s something I’m extremely passionate about, and I’m quite open about my own struggles too. We wanted to give something back, so we decided to take on the trek. We were with an amazing group of people, and sharing that experience with my dad and godfather made it really special.”

When asked what her perfect weekend looks like, her answer is simple: “Just spending time together as a family. That’s what I enjoy most.”

The Solihull Rental Market Right Now

Sarah joins the team at a busy point for the Solihull rental market. The average monthly private rent in Solihull reached £1,279 in August 2026, up 3.2% year-on-year. Rental stock across the borough has fallen by around 10% over the same period, and tenant demand continues to hold firm.

For landlords thinking about where to invest, gross yields vary considerably by postcode. B92, covering Olton, Elmdon and Lyndon, currently offers estimated gross yields of between 5.0% and 5.3%, making it the strongest-performing postcode in the borough. B90, which includes Shirley and Dickens Heath where Partridge Homes is based, sits at around 3.4% to 4.0%, with a tenant profile that tends towards families and professionals. B91 and B93, covering Solihull town centre, Knowle and Dorridge, typically yield between 2.5% and 3%, reflecting their stronger capital preservation profile.

Managing Director Charlotte Partridge sums up what’s driving demand: “In the areas we serve across Solihull, Birmingham and Warwickshire, we are seeing higher-than-ever demand from tenants looking for high-quality accommodation.”

A Personal Approach to Lettings in Solihull

For landlords choosing a letting agent, knowing who will actually be handling their property and their tenants matters. Sarah is a familiar, consistent point of contact during one of the more involved stages of any tenancy, and her approach is built on clear communication and making sure nobody is left wondering what comes next.

You can read about more of the team behind Partridge Homes on our Meet the Team page. If you’re a landlord thinking about letting a property in Solihull or the surrounding areas, our complete landlord’s guide to letting in Solihull is a good place to start, and our rental valuation guide for Shirley covers what to expect if you’re letting in that area specifically.

If you’d like to discuss your property with the team, get in touch with Partridge Homes to arrange a rental valuation or find out more about our tenant-find and fully managed lettings services.

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