LONDON, 9 OCTOBER 2018: Golin, the PRCA’s Agency of The Year and member of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG), is extending its Golin B&B programme to help all staff with the high cost, stress and uncertainty of renting in London, as well as addressing social diversity in the agency. As the availability of affordable rental accommodation shrinks in the Capital*, Golin has partnered with Get Living to offer all staff competitively-priced, high standard rental accommodation from a reputable landlord within Zone 2.
“Rogue landlords, hidden fees, large deposits and a lack of affordable accommodation makes the London rental market incredibly challenging and time consuming to navigate. Our team has told us that finding a new place to rent is very stressful and in some cases has affected their wellbeing. The same issues also make it harder for us to recruit candidates from outside of London or those from different social backgrounds, without the means to pay high deposits.
“Expanding Golin B&B means we can hire the best and brightest talent from all backgrounds and support them in making the move to London. We can also take the stress of the London rentals market off our team,” says Bibi Hilton, managing director, Golin.
Through the partnership, any member of staff can rent a Get Living home in East Village, the vibrant former Athletes’ Village, minutes from Stratford station or in new apartments at Elephant Central in Zone 1’s Elephant and Castle. Each employee will benefit from two weeks of free rent, no fees, no deposit, a three-year tenancy with six month resident-only break clause and free upgraded fibre optic broadband.
Christina Saxelby, an associate in our corporate team at Golin, is one of the first to use the extended Golin B&B, she said: “Before coming to Golin I lived and worked in Cheltenham. It had always been ‘the impossible dream’ to move to London, and when I was offered the job it was all a bit overwhelming as I didn’t have the finances or the contacts to relocate immediately. The support I received through Golin B&B made the big move less stressful and more manageable, which meant I could focus on preparing for the new role rather than frantically finding accommodation.”
Amrit Kaur, a digital project manager at Golin, who is currently considering the new scheme, said: “Having viewed my fair share of dodgy accommodation in London, it’s a relief to know that through Golin I have the option of a safe, modern and stress-free flat rental from a reliable landlord who has been pre-vetted by the agency. I’m also able to avoid having my hard earned savings tied up in a flat deposit.”
Golin originally launched Golin B&B in 2017 to encourage the best intern candidates from across the UK and from socially diverse backgrounds. The intern-specific programme varies from the new programme by combining financial support for the first month, rental advice and a 0% rental loan. The successful scheme has already helped Golin increase internship applications by 15%, with 25% more candidates from beyond the M25 and 56% from non-Russell group universities.
*In the Capital, rental costs have surged 45 per cent between 2007- 2017 to reach £1,609 a month, according to data by analysts Hometrack.