Letting & Estate Agent Podcast

Ben Moser, Director Of Operations at Petermans Estate Agents, Managing Director at Petermans Housing Initiatives dropped by the WatkinSofa in the Summer of 2024 to chat about all things Estate Agency. In this episode Ben talks about the power of networking in Estate Agency.

Mergers and Acquisitions in Estate and Letting Agencies: What to Expect in 2025. The UK property market is in the midst of change, with mergers and acquisitions set to play a major role in shaping the future of estate and letting agencies. As we head into 2025, what can you expect, and how can you prepare your business for these changes? In this episode, estate agency expert Iain White reveals key insights into the trends and challenges ahead. Iain discusses how smaller agencies are likely to lead the way in mergers and acquisitions, especially in the first few months of 2025. With tax relief changes on the horizon, now is the time to consider how you might position your business for an exit. He also shares his advice on the importance of preparing your agency with solid systems and processes to ensure a smoother transaction when the time comes. For those thinking about buying or selling an agency, Iain covers the essential steps to ensure proper due diligence, how to avoid common pitfalls, and the importance of working with specialists who understand the unique nature of estate agency businesses. This episode is a must listen for anyone looking to navigate the shifting landscape of the UK property market in 2025. Listen now for valuable insights and expert advice to stay ahead of the curve.

Ian Harris is the NAEA Propertymark Vice President and the Regional Sales and Marketing Manager for Watsons Residential Sales in Norfolk. In the winter of 2024, he dropped by the WatkinSofa to chat about Estate Agency versus Solicitors.

Kirsty Franks is the fractional marketing director for the Property Franchise Group, and also boss of Frank Marketing, a firm that helps big or small estate agents with their marketing. In the winter of 2024, she dropped by the WatkinSofa to chat about protecting Estate Agency brands.

Why Estate Agents Should Embrace the Renters Rights Bill: Unlock New Opportunities! The Renters Rights Bill might have a lot of estate agents and letting agents feeling uneasy, but if you dig a little deeper, there's a huge opportunity here. While many in the industry are focused on the challenges, savvy agents are already positioning themselves as the go to experts in a changing market. This bill offers the chance to step up and build stronger relationships with landlords. As they face the uncertainty of new regulations, they're looking for guidance. By hosting events, webinars, or even setting up a Landlord Academy, you can become the trusted voice in your area, educating landlords on what the new law means for them. This isn’t just about sharing information, it’s about establishing yourself as the expert everyone turns to. But it’s not all about the short term wins. Just like the Tenant Fees Act of 2019, this is a long game. The agents who are patient and consistent will come out on top, attracting new business and standing out from the crowd. The Renters Rights Bill isn’t going anywhere, so why not turn it into your opportunity to grow? Listen to this episode to learn how you can make the most of it. Share your thoughts with us in the comments. Let's talk about how we can all take advantage of this change!

Ben Marley, a very well known figure in the UK Estate & Letting Agency community with senior roles at FixFlo and most recently at the ESTAS, has decided to start his own business at GeoCale, a service that helps Estate Agents rank highly on Google when homeowners search for Estate Agents. He dropped by the WatkinSofa in the Autumn of 2024. In this episode, Ben talks about if you're relying too much on recommendations to get more listings.

Should Estate Agents Be Worried About the New EPC Rules? Suzanne Smith, lawyer turned landlord, and the person behind The Independent Landlord, joins us to break down the upcoming changes to EPC regulations in 2026 and what they mean for estate agents, letting agents, and landlords across the UK. In this episode, Suzanne explains why the new EPC rules could pose a real challenge for landlords who aren't prepared. With tougher standards on energy efficiency and higher compliance costs, these changes could impact landlords’ ability to let properties. The new EPC system will place more emphasis on the fabric of the building, rather than just heating costs. The minimum rating for rental properties is set to rise from an "E" to a "C" under the new rules, meaning properties that don’t meet the new standards may no longer be let. Suzanne highlights the importance of renewing your EPCs before the changes come into effect to ensure your properties are compliant and avoid potential penalties. There’s also talk of grants and funding available to help landlords with the necessary upgrades, if tenants meet the right criteria. Don't leave it until the last minute, listen now to get the full lowdown on what you need to do now to stay ahead of these changes. Share your thoughts in the comments, and let's ensure we're all ready for 2026.

Why Are 8% of UK Landlords Leaving High Street Estate Agents? Suzanne Smith, lawyer turned landlord, and the person behind The Independent Landlord, joins us today to explore why so many UK landlords are turning their backs on High Street estate agents in favour of self management platforms like OpenRent. What’s driving this shift? Suzanne shares her personal experience and valuable insights into the frustrations that are prompting this change. In this episode, Suzanne reveals how nearly 9% of landlords have switched from traditional agents to OpenRent in the last two years. From poor communication and hidden fees to the struggles of managing a property through agents who don’t meet expectations, Suzanne explains why self management can sometimes feel like the better option, even if it involves extra work. For estate and letting agents, this episode is a great opportunity to hear directly from a landlord who has experienced both sides of the property management process. It’s time to reassess how you’re delivering value to your clients and ensure you’re offering the best service possible.

Suzanne Smith, a lawyer turned landlord and the person behind The Independent Landlord, discusses the significant changes brought by the Renters’ Rights Bill and how it will impact landlords, letting agents, and tenants in the UK. She explains that while tenants have the right to quiet possession, which can make it difficult to show properties or evict them, most tenants typically vacate when served with a Section 21 notice. However, the new legislation could change that dynamic, with landlords needing to go through the courts to regain possession if the tenant doesn’t leave voluntarily. With the Renters’ Rights Bill coming into effect, landlords face new challenges. For example, it will become harder to sell properties with vacant possession, as landlords will not be able to re-let or list properties for rent or as an Airbnb during a 12 month period following a tenant’s departure. The tenant’s ability to claim up to 24 months of rent through Rent Repayment Orders is also a key change, giving tenants more time to recover overpaid rent. Additionally, there are stricter penalties for landlords who misuse possession grounds, such as claiming they intend to sell when they have no intention to do so. The new rules surrounding rent increases will also change. Landlords will be restricted to raising rents only once a year, and any rent increases will have to be done through a Section 13 notice. Tenants will have more power to challenge these increases without the fear of the rent being backdated. This will likely make the rent increase process more transparent but also slower, as any challenges could delay the rise until a decision from the First-tier Tribunal is made. A notable part of the new legislation is the creation of a landlord database, which Suzanne believes could be helpful in identifying rogue landlords but raises concerns over privacy. The potential for fraud is a worry, particularly with personal addresses being included in the database, and this could make landlords more vulnerable to solicitation or fraud attempts. Suzanne also touches on how the Renters' Rights Bill will impact landlords’ ability to manage their properties, particularly those with student tenants or HMOs. The changes are seen as a challenge for amateur landlords, and Suzanne suggests that the days of the 'amateur landlord' are numbered. Those who do not keep up with the changes may find it more difficult to manage their properties effectively. However, for those landlords who are prepared and understand the new rules, there could still be opportunities to navigate the system successfully. Furthermore, the rules around rent in advance, especially for tenants with poor credit histories, are likely to have unintended consequences, making it harder for certain tenants to rent homes. The issue of collecting the first month’s rent will also become more complicated, as asking for it before the tenancy agreement is signed could breach the Tenant Fees Act. Ultimately, Suzanne advises landlords to stay informed, consult with knowledgeable lawyers, and work closely with letting agents who understand the complexities of the new legislation. With the changes, letting agents have an opportunity to provide valuable services to landlords and help them navigate the evolving rental landscape. Suzanne’s blog, The Independent Landlord, offers ongoing advice and insights, especially from a legal perspective. It can be found at theindependentlandlord.com, where she also shares a weekly newsletter with over 8,000 subscribers, including many letting agents.

Ben Moser, Director Of Operations at Petermans Estate Agents, Managing Director at Petermans Housing Initiatives dropped by the WatkinSofa in the Summer of 2024 to chat about all things Estate Agency. In this episode Ben talks about the importance of Negotiators in Estate Agency.