TenTel ramps up presence in property rental market

TenTel, the 'challenger' telecoms firm based in Midlothian, is aiming to become a 'one-stop shop' for letting agents after acquiring utility management specialist Hallmark.

TenTel managing director Robert McKechnie. Picture: Stuart Cobley

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, follows an investment of more than £100,000 in Hallmark’s portal, which offers commission to letting agents and enables them to deal utilities such as gas, electricity, water and council tax when tenants move.

It has also led to TenTel expanding its workforce at Shawfair business park near Dalkeith, where employee numbers are approaching 100 following its move from Selkirk in the Borders.

Managing director Robert McKechnie said: “The combined experience and services of TenTel and Hallmark will help letting agents save time and resources while earning additional revenue from our referral programme.

“We were impressed with Hallmark’s 12 years’ service in the industry and identified this merger as the way forward to provide an all-inclusive service.”

Hallmark’s services are currently used by more than 1,200 letting agents across the UK, while TenTel – which aims to take on “big four” providers BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Virgin by offering broadband and telephone services without a contract – said it was winning more than 1,000 new customers a month.