The Bristol Residential Letting Co was established in 2004 by Ed and Emma Osborn.
From the very beginning, we chose to focus exclusively on residential lettings and property management. While many agents treat lettings as an add-on to sales, we have always believed that lettings is a specialist sector in its own right and requires dedicated knowledge, expertise and proper systems to do well.
We started The Bristol Residential Letting Co in the spare room of our flat — just as Bristol’s rental market was gaining momentum and long before Rightmove and other online portals reshaped the industry. In those early days, success wasn’t driven by AI or social media. It came down to knowing the city, understanding the detail of the market, and giving landlords clear, practical advice that suited their individual circumstances.
From the start, Ed focused on building long-term relationships with landlords and using local knowledge of the Bristol rental market to give them an edge — advising on where Bristol was developing, what types of property would rent well, and how to position and market a property quickly to attract the right tenants.
Emma focused on the operational side of the business — ensuring the systems, administration and financial processes were run properly, and that landlords received a consistent and reliable service. That combination of personal expertise and strong operational management has shaped the company ever since.
As new developments emerged across the city centre and demand from landlords increased, we took the next step. In 2006 we opened our first office in Clifton. That high street presence gave landlords and tenants a place they could walk into, meet the team and feel confident their property would be handled professionally. It became a cornerstone of the business and provided the platform for steady growth as Bristol rental market continued to evolve.
As demand increased across different parts of the city, we expanded our coverage to match it. We opened our Southville office in 2012, followed by our Bishopston office in 2023, giving landlords access to experienced local teams across three key areas of Bristol.
Today, we operate from three high street locations in Clifton, Southville and Bishopston. We cover the whole city, but remain one independent agency with one consistent approach.
Over the years, the industry has changed significantly. Regulation and compliance have increased, and the private rented sector has become more complex. Through every change, our role has remained the same: to provide landlords with clear advice, strong management and reliable oversight, while also delivering a professional and responsive service to tenants.
Over time, the business has grown from a two-person operation into a close-knit team of nearly 30, working across Bristol. We’ve done that by focusing on what matters: recruiting good people, developing real expertise, and building a joined-up team that understands the Bristol rental market and the responsibilities of professional property management. For landlords, that means experienced professionals who know how to secure reliable tenants, achieve strong rents and manage properties proactively once a tenancy is in place.
The day-to-day running of the company is led by Managing Director Don McKeever, who joined us in 2010 and has grown with the business ever since. Don understands what landlords need in a fast-moving rental market — expert rental advice, intelligent marketing that attracts the right applicants quickly, and proactive management that protects both income and the condition of the property. He has also driven the development of our systems and technology, ensuring landlords benefit from clear communication and efficient processes, supported by our dedicated Landlord App that keeps everything in one place.
Each office is led by an experienced branch manager who takes real responsibility for their area — with Amy Sheppard in Clifton, Josh Box in Southville, and Aimee Hawkesford in Bishopston. Alongside their teams, they provide clear advice, efficient lettings and professional property management, delivering the same approach and values across the city.
From spare-room beginnings in 2004 to three high street locations today, the business has grown — but the principles haven’t changed.
We are still independent.
We still specialise exclusively in residential lettings and property management.
And we are still focused on providing a quality service that Bristol landlords can rely on in a changing market.
Three local offices. One expert agency.
