THE youngest landlord in Darlington is celebrating after tripling the size of her business.

Sarah Cockburn, 21, has owned and rented a two-bedroom house in Newton Aycliffe since February 2000.

She has just added two Darlington properties to her portfolio and is redecorating and renovating them.

In addition to her letting business, Miss Cockburn works full time as a finance officer.

Miss Cockburn said: "My mum is a residential landlord and she has given me a lot of advice.

"I've picked up all three properties on the cheap, and I financed the first one with money left to me in a compensation claim and with help from my mum.

"I started because I wanted to look to the future, and this seems a good way of earning extra money."

Miss Cockburn only lets two-bedroom houses, but would like to progress into the three-bedroom market.

She said: "Choosing the right kind of tenant is very important. Those who take three-bedroom houses tend to be more family-orientated and stay longer. I also look for tenants over the age of 27.

"I rely a lot on my attitude when looking for tenants. I think I'm a pretty good judge of character."

Miss Cockburn and many other landlords rely on the Darlington and District Landlords' Association, which gives information about legal obligations of landlords and a blacklist of undesirable tenants.

Miss Cockburn wants to expand her property portfolio in Darlington, where she charges £83 a week in rent for her two-bedroom houses.

She said: "I need to make sure that I can handle the three properties for the next few months, but this time next year I hope to expand again."