We are thrilled to share some exciting news: Partridge Homes has been named a finalist for Residential Agency of the Year at the National Property Awards 2026. This recognition means a great deal to our team, and we are proud to stand alongside some of the most respected independent agencies operating across the UK today.
The awards ceremony takes place on Friday 18th September 2026 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham — a fitting venue for an event that celebrates progress and excellence in the property sector, and one that sits close to home for us here in Birmingham and Solihull.
About the National Property Awards
The National Property Awards recognise agencies, professionals, and organisations that are genuinely raising standards across the UK property market. The Residential Agency of the Year category is open to sales and lettings agencies that demonstrate strong market knowledge, a consistent commitment to customer service, and a proven track record of helping people buy, sell, rent, and invest with confidence.
Nominations are free to submit, and all finalists receive a complimentary ticket to attend the ceremony — but the real value lies in the recognition itself. Being shortlisted reflects the quality of work an agency delivers every single day.
The 2026 Residential Agency of the Year Shortlist Best Estate Agents and Best Letting Agents
This year’s shortlist brings together nine agencies from across England, each with a distinct story, geography, and approach. Here is a closer look at every finalist:
AP Morgan — West Midlands
A well-established independent agency with offices across Redditch, Bromsgrove, Stourbridge, Longbridge, and Shirley, AP Morgan was built on a straightforward premise: honest, no-nonsense estate agency. Their newest office, located within Longbridge Shopping Centre, attracts over half a million visitors a year, giving listed properties significant exposure. Customer reviews on platforms such as Trustpilot describe the team as proactive and communicative.
Curlett Jones Estates — Southport, Liverpool & Newcastle upon Tyne
Founded in 2020 by Alan Jones and Peter Curlett, this multi-branch agency was built by professionals with a background in residential conveyancing at some of the largest law firms in the North West. Curlett Jones offers sales, lettings, property management, block management, and auctions — and has already been recognised by both the Best Estate Agent Guide and the British Property Awards.
DM & Co. Homes — Solihull, Shirley, Knowle & Dorridge
A fellow local competitor and a name well known to us, DM & Co. Homes opened its first office in Shirley in January 2014 and has grown steadily since. The agency recently won Gold at the British Property Awards in both Solihull and Shirley, and has been featured in the Best Estate Agency Guide since 2022. Their Property Guarantee scheme aims to reduce fall-throughs and shorten the sales timeline by up to four weeks, with up to £50,000 of protection available to sellers if a buyer withdraws without cause.
Gascoines Estate Agents — Nottinghamshire
Few agencies on this list can match the heritage of Gascoines. Douglas Gascoine opened his first office in Southwell in 1954 at just 26 years old. The business is now led by his daughter, Emma Gascoine, and operates two branches covering the NG25 and NG15 areas. Over the past six months, they have listed 92 properties with an average time to sale of 20 weeks. Gascoines are members of NAEA, ARLA, and RICS — a mark of their professional standing.
Hannells Estate Agents — Derby
Hannells has been serving the people of Derby since 2003, growing to six local branches plus a dedicated lettings office. The agency has over 755 Trustpilot reviews and is well regarded for consistent communication and prompt responses. Hannells has also shown strong compliance awareness in 2026, actively informing landlords about their obligations under the Renters’ Rights Act — including the requirement to provide tenants with the government’s new Information Sheet.
loc8me — Loughborough (HQ), 19+ UK University Cities
loc8me is one of the fastest-growing agencies on the shortlist, now operating across more than 19 major university cities. A recent acquisition of Liverpool-based Luxury Student Homes added 199 purpose-built student accommodation properties and over 1,100 beds to their portfolio, bringing their Liverpool-alone total to nearly 1,500 managed properties. All properties within their portfolio are held to the standards of their Seal of Approval framework, which covers safety, presentation, and quality.
Orange Sales and Lettings Ltd — Teesside & County Durham
Operating across Billingham, Stockton, Middlesbrough, Darlington, and Hartlepool, Orange Sales and Lettings is a well-rooted agency serving communities across the Tees Valley and County Durham.
Partridge Homes — Birmingham & Solihull
That’s us. We are an independent estate agents and lettings agent serving Birmingham and Solihull, built on a belief that honest advice, local knowledge, and genuine care for our clients make all the difference. From first-time buyers to experienced landlords, we work hard to make property transactions straightforward and stress-free. Being shortlisted for this award is a reflection of the effort our entire team puts in, day in and day out — and we do not take that lightly. You can find out more about who we are on our About Us page.
YourKeys
YourKeys rounds out the shortlist as the ninth finalist, representing continued innovation within the residential property sector.
What This Category Recognises
The Residential Agency of the Year award is not simply about transaction volumes. The judging process looks at the full picture:
- Market knowledge — a genuine understanding of local property conditions and trends
- Customer service — how well an agency supports buyers, sellers, landlords, and tenants through what is often a significant life decision
- Professionalism — consistent standards, compliance, and ethical conduct
- Community commitment — building lasting relationships and contributing positively to the areas an agency serves
- Innovation — finding smarter, more effective ways to help clients achieve their goals
These are values that guide how we operate at Partridge Homes every day, and they are clearly shared by every agency on this shortlist.
A Note on the Venue
The ceremony will be held at The Eastside Rooms, a purpose-built conference and events venue in Birmingham’s Knowledge Quarter. For an awards event focused on progress and high standards within the property industry, it is a well-chosen setting — and one that puts Birmingham firmly at the centre of the national conversation about residential agency excellence.
Congratulations to All Finalists
Reaching this shortlist from what is a highly competitive field is a genuine achievement for every agency named. We congratulate AP Morgan, Curlett Jones Estates, DM & Co. Homes, Gascoines Estate Agents, Hannells Estate Agents, loc8me, Orange Sales and Lettings Ltd, and YourKeys on their well-deserved recognition.
We look forward to the evening on 18th September — and whatever the outcome, we are proud to represent Birmingham and Solihull on a national stage.
If you would like to know more about how Partridge Homes can help you buy, sell, let, or rent a property in Birmingham or Solihull, please get in touch with our team — we would be happy to help.
