Phillip James is an independent lettings and property management company based on the Sussex coast.
We focus on one thing — residential lettings — and we believe that doing fewer things, properly, produces better outcomes for landlords and tenants alike.
We are not a national chain. We do not answer to a regional manager in a glass tower somewhere. Decisions are made here, by people who know the streets, the buildings, the tenants, and the realities of letting property across Sussex.
Most of our work comes through recommendation, repeat landlords, and long-term relationships. We think that says more than any marketing campaign ever could.
Phillip James was founded with a fairly simple idea: lettings could be done better.
Too much of the industry felt transactional. Landlords were being promised unrealistic rents to win instructions. Tenants were being rushed through referencing. Communication often disappeared once contracts were signed.
We wanted to build something calmer, more thoughtful, and more accountable.
From the beginning, we focused purely on lettings and management. No sales targets. No pressure tactics. Just helping landlords find good tenants, look after their properties properly, and navigate an increasingly complex industry with a bit less stress.
Over the years, the rules around renting property have changed enormously. Deposit legislation, licensing, EPC requirements, Right to Rent checks, electrical safety regulations, the Tenant Fees Act — the industry has become significantly more regulated and operationally demanding.
What has not changed is what matters most.
Good communication. Honest advice. Careful tenant selection. Local knowledge. Competent management.
We still believe those things matter more than scale.
We tell landlords what we believe a property will actually let for — not simply what sounds good in a valuation appointment.
Pricing correctly from the start usually means fewer void periods, stronger applicants, and better long-term tenancies.
Every neighbourhood behaves differently. The rental market in central Brighton is not the same as Goring. A flat near Worthing station attracts different tenants to a family house in Lancing or Shoreham.
We believe local knowledge still matters.
We carry out proper referencing and affordability checks, including income verification, landlord references, credit checks, and Right to Rent checks.
Better tenants usually mean fewer arrears, fewer disputes, and more stable tenancies.
Our fees are published clearly and explained properly.
No hidden extras. No surprise costs buried in small print after you have committed.
We cover much of the Sussex coastline — Worthing, Brighton, Hove, Shoreham-by-Sea, Lancing, Sompting, Goring, and the areas around them.
Each area has its own character, tenant demographic, and pace of market. Understanding those differences is a large part of our job.
Whether it’s a seafront apartment in Hove, a family home in Worthing, or a rental investment in Shoreham, we aim to provide practical advice grounded in local experience rather than generic national assumptions.
See the full area guides for the streets and postcodes we cover.
We try to keep things straightforward.
Calls get returned. Problems get dealt with. Tenants are treated respectfully. Landlords are kept informed.
We believe property management works best when it feels organised, calm, and predictable — not reactive or chaotic.
A good letting agent should reduce stress, not create it.
“We have been using Phillip James Lettings since 2008 to help us with 2 flats we rent out. Prior to that we used a couple of the bigger names out there but I'm so glad we made the change — and stuck to it! …”
The lettings industry is changing quickly. Landlords face increasing regulation, tenants rightly expect higher standards, and technology is reshaping the way agencies operate. We welcome that.
We continue to invest in better systems, clearer communication, and more efficient ways of managing property, while trying to keep the human side of the business intact.
Because at its core, this is still a people business. And always will be.
When you’re ready
