Lettings agents are handling significantly more tenancy transactions than a year ago, increasing operational pressures as the sector adapts to a more demanding regulatory environment.
Latest analysis from Propoly found that the average number of new tenancies agreed per branch rose from 8.76 in April 2025 to 9.63 in April 2026, an increase of 9.9%.
The pace of activity has accelerated particularly strongly since the start of this year, with average tenancy volumes increasing by 12.4% since January.
The figures suggest that while rental market demand remains robust, many letting agents are facing growing workloads as they manage greater volumes of tenant onboarding, compliance checks and tenancy administration.
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
Every new tenancy requires a range of processes, including referencing, Right to Rent checks, deposit protection, contract documentation and ongoing communication with landlords and tenants.
At the same time, agents are continuing to adapt to the requirements of the Renters’ Rights Act and wider regulatory changes affecting the private rented sector.
The result is increased pressure on agency teams to manage higher transaction volumes while maintaining compliance standards and customer service levels.
Propoly argues that many agencies are turning to integrated technology platforms to help streamline operations and reduce duplication of work.
The company says connecting customer relationship management systems, tenancy progression software and compliance platforms can help reduce manual data entry, improve data accuracy and create clearer audit trails.
SOFTWARE SOLUTION
Sim Sekhon, Group Chief Executive Officer at Propoly, says: “Letting agents have never faced a shortage of technology solutions. The challenge today isn’t finding software, it’s making sure the software you use works together effectively.
“When tenancy volumes increase, every additional application, compliance check and document request creates more pressure on agency teams.
“If information has to be entered multiple times across different systems, that pressure quickly becomes an operational bottleneck.”
REDUCED ADMIN
Sekhon reckons that the focus should be on reducing repetitive administration and improving compliance management rather than simply adding more technology.
He adds: “The agencies that are best positioned for the future won’t necessarily be those with the largest technology stack.
“They’ll be the ones with connected systems that remove duplication, automate routine processes and create a clear audit trail from enquiry through to move-in.
“As regulation continues to evolve, integration is no longer just about efficiency. It’s becoming a fundamental part of how agencies manage compliance, reduce risk and deliver a better experience for landlords and tenants alike.”
