In this special anniversary edition of The Viking Chats, Kristjan is joined by his "work wife" and Base Property (and The Depositary) co-founder An Deckers to celebrate a huge milestone—21 years of running one of London’s most distinctive and award-winning independent lettings agencies.
Expect laughter, honesty, a little nostalgia, and a masterclass in how to build a values-led business that puts people first—from tenants and landlords to the team that makes it all possible.
🏗️ From Back Bedrooms to Best in Class
This episode isn’t just a trip down memory lane—it’s a candid blueprint for how Base built a boutique agency from two laptops and matching Clios into a multi-award-winning business. Kristjan and An reflect on the early years of bootstrapping, long before PropTech made things slick, when Word documents and spreadsheets ran the show.
They share what it's really like to build an agency from scratch, how the lack of funding became their biggest asset, and why staying small (and smart) has always been their secret weapon.
🔧 Tech, Tenants & Trust
In 2008, everything changed. Base adopted their first CRM—long before cloud software became the norm. This was the start of their PropTech journey, partnering with Jupix and co-conceiving what became Alto’s PropertyFile landlord and tenant portals. But while tech played a big part in Base’s growth, people have always come first.
From a focus on tenant experience (long before it was fashionable) to nurturing 20+ year landlord relationships, Kristjan and An explain why tech should empower service—not replace it.
They also recount the radical moves they made during COVID—pivoting operations overnight, and sending heartfelt letters to all tenants urging openness and support. It’s one of their proudest moments—and a reflection of the care that defines Base.
🏆 Awards, Accolades & Authenticity
What started as a quirky agency in East London became a UK leader in customer service. From their first ESTA award in 2012 to winning five consecutive Grand Prix titles (and Zoopla’s coveted 10-Year Excellence Award in 2020), Base has proven that small doesn’t mean second-best.
But these awards aren’t just silverware—they’re validation of an ethos: honesty, humanity, humour, and hustle. Kristjan and An have never aimed to be the biggest, only the best—for their clients, their team, and their community.
🎉 Celebrating the Base Family
From their 10th anniversary bash at White Rabbit to their 20th at Shoreditch Arts Club, Base has always celebrated in style. But these events aren’t corporate puff—they’re about people. The guests are landlords, suppliers, residents, and friends. Many have been with Base since 2004.
They even share the full-circle stories: tenants who became landlords, landlords who became friends, and long-term clients like Philomena and Tom—each representing over a decade of trust, transparency and terrific service.
🔮 Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Base?
While this episode is rooted in the past, it’s all about the future. An and Kristjan reflect on:
- The evolving lettings landscape post-Renters Reform
- The role of AI and marketing in tomorrow’s agency
- Why true service—real conversations, coffee meetings, and trusted advice—will matter more than ever
And yes, they’re already plotting the 25-year anniversary party in 2029.
👥 For Agents & Landlords Alike
This episode is a gift to the industry. Whether you’re an agent building your brand, a landlord looking for a better way, or just love hearing how real businesses grow with integrity and impact, this episode offers inspiration, insight—and plenty of laughs.
📢 Tune in now to hear how Base Property Specialists became the agency that London landlords trust, tenants stay loyal t
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