Since December 2000 an innovative new venture has been helping to keep rents down for tenants.

The Society launched a subsidiary company, Linnet Homes Ltd, to operate as a commercial landlord and property manager to address the need for private rented property in East Anglia. Profits made by the new business will be ploughed back into the Society to support its work.

Under the stewardship of General Manager Chris Oakes, the company is targeting employers, offering companies the opportunity to rent properties direct rect so that they can provide new employees and their families with homes to live in straight away. In an employment market where competition for the best people is fierce this will give employers a significant advantage over others.

Linnet Homes already has three housing schemes in Longstanton, north of Cambridge, Mildenhall and Thetford. The company will also be marketing itself to investors who have a need for a management company to look after their properties and tenants. It be providing property management services to the society itself for about 125 homes which fall outside its social housing remit.