Bright Spark offers deal in rentals market, The Negotiator- Vol 2- Jan/Feb 2008

A new energy provider, Spark, has come into the market, supplying gas and electricity to the residential lettings market.
 
It has so far secured deals worth nearly £2 million, signing up more than 40 property agencies managing over 8000 properties between them.
Those so far signed up include Pattinson Rentals in Newcastle and Courtney Green in Horsham, Sussex.
The agents earn commission when they introduce tenants to Spark, who in return get guaranteed lower energy bills when they switch.
 
Located on the Scottish borders, Spark has won a recent £500,000 backing from a London investment house and is looking to expand.
Following deregulation, Spark Energy is one of the only companies to have broken through the significant barriers to entry, securing a position as the UK’s eighth largest utility – or, as chief executive PJ Darling, picture, put I, the UK’s smallest utility, as there are only eight.
 
Darling said: “As an independent energy company, we have complete control over pricing, partner support and customer service delivery. Our competitors are not interested in the residential lettings market. We spotted this opportunity and are here to provide the support this sector needs.
 
“The administration of utilities is a painful process for letting agents, from billing during void periods, to tracking down existing suppliers and managing tenants moving in and out.