Industry suppliers

Lettings agents must protect the interests of landlords, tenants, and their agencies, so understanding the basics of deposit protection is key and knowing the do’s and don’ts will help minimise disputes and reduce the risk of costly penalties.

Being a letting agent or an estate agent with a letting portfolio demands juggling numerous responsibilities, from property management and tenant relations to day-to-day operations, plus the perpetual quest for new business. However, amidst these demands, being on top of client accounting is paramount.

The UK Government is currently consulting on the implementation of Awaab’s Law, which was passed in response to the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in December 2020 from exposure to serious mould in his parents’ social rented home.

A rental property is provided as a home for tenants and must be fit for human habitation (FFHH) throughout the tenancy. As the weather changes, it’s vital for agents to stay on top of property maintenance and make sure issues are put right for their tenants as soon as possible.

Insurance broker and risk management partner Gallagher has launched Student Assist to provide coverage against damage to properties and students with personal belongings insurance.

The unique partnership has seen client account health checks and accountants' reports waived for letting agent members who use PayProp’s client accounting platform.

Proptech offers many valuable benefits to property managers who are prepared to evolve their own habits too. Tech tools aren’t designed to replace the human element, but they can help agents be more efficient, compliant and effective in what they do. It’s important to remember its success is down to a team effort – even the very best proptech still relies on the expertise of inventory clerks, letting agents and landlords to make it work optimally.

As inflation continues to be high, some people's financial situations have become increasingly challenging, and the squeeze on the cost of living could leave tenants struggling to pay, however, rent guarantee insurance can help to protect rental income if tenant defaults on rent.

Letting agents and landlords will be familiar with this phrase, however grasping the meaning and recognising the limits of this term can often be a disputed topic, particularly when making a deposit deduction.

There was a time when estate agents and auctioneers worked independently even though the aim was the same: to achieve the right price for a property and have a long list of satisfied buyers and sellers, however, the industry is now seeing a growing relationship develop with favourable outcomes.

The introduction of the Renter's (Reform) Bill resulted a lot of media coverage, with agents and landlords voicing valid concerns about the potential impact of future legislation on their businesses. However, it is important to note that the Bill has not yet become law and is still undergoing scrutiny and possible amendments.

Following a year of research and development, working collaboratively with Leaders Romans Group (LRG), Inventory Hive has created a new diary-management/maps feature that will be a game changer for coordinating property inspections and visits.

Managing numerous residents, in some cases thousands, all in one building is a highly responsible job and agents need a thorough and robust system to make sure nothing slips through the net.

Every agency will know the risks they face each day as a business can be wide-ranging and often complex, and how to decide what to cover and what levels are sufficient to provide adequate protection can be complex.

With a lot of talk about chat-GPT and concerns about process automation, property managers might feel defensive about changes to their jobs and the potential impact of advancing technologies. However, Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) is a prime example of work that should be automated, as it often involves repetitive tasks that consume valuable time.

As the property market continues to experience changes and challenges, landlords are feeling the strain more than most, and with more EPC rating changes looming plus the continuing pressures around the cost of borrowing, it’s no wonder many feel worried about the future and even consider leaving the sector entirely.

Whether it's planned maintenance or an emergency repair, communicating with contractors is one of the most critical parts of property management – and the most time-consuming. Automating communications with contractors can make the process of resolving tenant issues faster and smoother.

The UK Government has committed to an ambitious net-zero carbon target by 2050, but what does climate change have to do with property, and will the housing sector be ready to achieve proposals?

Property managers are increasingly reliant on Proptech and with the introduction of new legislation should consider how automated software can play a crucial part in lowering risks, controlling the spread of fire and saving lives.

Letting agents can suffer from ‘choice overload’ when it comes to client accounting solutions, and with such a myriad of options available there has never been a better time to outsource. Choosing the right outsourcing provider is crucial to continued business success, so it is paramount that agents understand their options.