THREE agencies have teamed up to create a "fruitful" new force in house lettings.

Maidstone-based Ashton Burkinshaw brings together Frances Burkinshaw, Ashton Wingate and Douglas Rogers and Partners.

Between them, they have offices in Maidstone, Chatham, Meopham, Tunbridge Wells, Wadhurst, Tenterden, Lewes, Crowborough, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge.

The new multi-million pound company, with head offices in King Street, Maidstone, has around 2,000 properties on its books.

Using the slogan "About Letting," the firm uses images of local fruit such as apples and cherries in its logo, brochures and sign boards.

Bosses say the merger aims to "create the most influential, experienced and professional letting agent in the area”.

Graham Harrison, Ashton Burkinshaw's chief executive, who was previously with Marley at Lenham, acknowledged that the rental market attracted a few "cowboy" landlords and difficult tenants.

But Ashton Burkinshaw was "trying to be an authority within the lettings industry so that we can give people solid advice."

He added: "There are companies looking to make a quick buck and in buy-to-let, you're looking for an investment that will pay dividends in the long-term."

Ashton Burkinshaw director Lindsay Ostervig (corr), a trainer with the lettings industry association Arla, said the organisation was fighting for more regulation. At the moment, anyone could set up in the business. "There should be some form of vetting," she said.

Reputable letting agents had a good relationship with landlord and tenant. "We feel very strongly that if we look after our tenants properly, they will look after their property properly."

These are busy times in the house rental market. Buy to let has become a popular form of investment, and with the steep rise in house prices - around 20 per cent - in the past year, many people are forced to rent.

Others choose to rent. "A lot of people come to Medway for example for six months to a year and don't want to buy," said Mrs Ostervig.