STRATHCLYDE Homes has a record of successful house-building in west central Scotland going back for about 10 years. Its residential letting arm is much younger, having started only last year.

But in tricia Buchanan, there is a rental manager with a good background of experience - with the Quality Street people as it happens - in this important sector. Targeting big players among the Blue Chip companies has been a very successful ploy, as Buchanan concedes.

''Our first business deal was to let 11 apartments at a Dumbarton Road project to Chunghwa Picture Tubes for nine months,'' she says. ''We followed that up by letting all 15 apartments at a Dennistoun project to First Direct Bank.

''Business customers are especially delighted with the quality of apartment and service we are providing,'' she adds. ''We have listened to their requirements and given them what they want.''

A sophisticated service for corporate clients, by all means. And just a little bit more. For Buchanan is just as pleased to indicate that meeting customer needs does include providing a welcome pack - everything from corn flakes and shortbread, to washing up liquid. Make people feel at home, from the very start.

''The fact is that moving around, having to find a place to stay, can be a stressful business,'' she says. ''We have taken note of that and decided that the right thing to do is to provide a welcome, and take care of the basic needs involved.''

With the Strathclyde policy being to cater for an ever-increasing demand for high quality rented accommodation, on short or long-term lets ranging from a week to a year, it becomes clear why that entails providing flats with everything included. Or, as Buchanan says: ''All the residents need to bring is their pyjamas.''

Company letting experience has shown that those with First Direct, for example, may have been strangers coming to a strange city, but soon settled down and now find the city a friendly place full of friendly people.

''We pulled out all the stops to help, both those with Chunghwa and with First Direct,'' says Buchanan. ''It was very important for those employed by Chunghwa to live together, rather than separately, simply because they did not know our language. Those with First Direct may have been in a new environment, but quickly made themselves at ease with local people.''

One of the lessons Strathclyde Homes learned from the letting ventures was the importance of being able to offer two bedrooms and two bathrooms where possible. The extra space was something the corporate sector deemed a necessity. Another part of the information feedback was the importance of being able to offer new-build apartments, as opposed to refurbished. Tie that in with a continuing demand for corporate sector accommodation, and it is no surprise to find the company indicating moves for three local developments.

Apart from 11 units in the west end, and 15 in the east end, developments include seven units in the south side, one in Milngavie, and eight in Partick. At today's prices, a seven-figure investment in residential letting.

The flats in Dumbarton Road - on a former police station site - are two and three bedroom properties, all with two bathrooms and security-accessed parking, from #750 a month.

The south side flats have en suite shower rooms, double glazing, and provision for telephone, TV and satellite. These two and three-bedroom executive apartments, overlooking a bowling green, also from #750 a month.

''We make sure our flats have plenty of fresh linen and towels,'' Buchanan adds. ''You have to look after your clients properly, show them they are important.''