There is a feeling that the lettings market revolves around apartments and modern apartments in particular.

Nothing could be further from the truth – in fact, the lettings sector has every bit as much variety and individuality as the sales market.

And just to prove the point, we decided this week to have a look at the kind of period, character properties that make for super family homes – and we weren’t disappointed with what we found!

Letters of Distinction, for instance, came up with an absolutely beautiful home with lots of period style and charm. It is Beaconsfield House at Tockwith. Built around 1840, this is a traditional Victorian home in the centre of the village within yards of local amenities including a doctors’ surgery, village shop and post office, two pubs and a well-respected primary school. The character of this property can be seen immediately – to the front of the house are wrought iron gates on a dwarf walled garden with forest bark and flood lights for the front. To the side is a private drive, with remote electric wrought iron gates on a York stone driveway with car washing drainage and a large double garage. To the rear of the property is an acre of landscaped gardens and useful outbuildings. The house itself boasts lots of space, with three reception rooms, a kitchen with oven, hob, dishwasher, fridge and waste disposal unit, a utility room with plumbing for a washing machine and a cloakroom/WC. There are four double bedrooms and three bathrooms (two en-suite).

The property is available to let unfurnished. “Viewing is essential to appreciate this property’s size and wealth of character,” say the agents. The rental is £1,695pcm.

Martin and Co can also offer a home rich in style and charm. It is found in Nunmill Street, a “stunning” part furnished terraced property situated in a popular location just off Scarcroft Road. This property has been sympathetically refurbished and boasts a number of original features. The accommodation on offer here includes an entrance hall with feature door and original tiled floor, a lounge with feature working coal fire, a dining room, and kitchen with fridge. Stairs lead to a large bathroom with shower over, two double bedrooms (wooden flooring throughout) and a south facing yard with store, gas central heating, permit. The rental here is £775pcm.

Another smashing property can be found on the books of Quantum, a smartly renovated Victorian terraced house in Ashville Street, off Huntington Road.

Minimally furnished, this is a house which very flexible accommodation. The property has a large lounge and a second reception room/ bedroom (depending on your needs). The first floor offers two double bedrooms and a modern bathroom and the property also benefits from a larger than average rear yard and its end of terrace position. Close to the city, St John University and Nestlé, this property is very well presented and viewing is recommended, say the marketing agents. It is offered at a rental of £695pcm.

Staying close to the city, Stephensons have a very stylish-looking property to offer in Sandringham Street, Fishergate.

It is a large three storey period terraced property within an easy riverside walk of the city. Offered unfurnished, it is attractively presented throughout. In brief, there is an entrance hall, a large lounge, dining room and a modern fitted kitchen with integrated oven and hob and utility and cloaks/WC. There are three double beds (one of them on the second floor) and a well-appointed bathroom. The package is completed with a rear paved yard and permit car parking. The rental is £950pcm.

And, not to be left out, Letters Ltd have a pretty pair of properties well worth a look.

The first is in Lindley Street, Holgate, a newly decorated unfurnished forecourted three bedroomed mid terrace house conveniently situated for the city centre, Acomb shopping centre and Poppleton Road business park. Here you will find an entrance vestibule and hallway with tiled floor, two reception rooms with gas fires and a newly fitted kitchen with gas cooker and plumbing for washing machine. There are two double bedrooms and a single bedroom with upstairs bathroom with shower over bath. The rental is £695pcm.

And the second Letters Ltd offering is in Brownlow Street in the popular Groves area.

This is another home that has been newly decorated and offered unfurnished. On offer is a reception room with electric fire, a kitchen with electric cooker and gas hob and a washing machine. Upstairs there is a double bedroom and a single bedroom and there is an bathroom with shower. A rear yard with shed and permit parking complete the offering, for which the rental is £625pcm.