Agents stand up to challenges in 2025

According to the Reapit Property Outlook Report 2025, 76.3% of respondents expect to remain in the property industry over the next five years — a notable increase from the 66% who said the same in last year’s PayProp Rental Confidence Index.

Crucially, these industry optimists are also investing in the future of their businesses. More than half of respondents reported that automation increased in their workplaces over the past year, while almost 45% said they had acquired or were considering acquiring another agency.

However, confidence in the future of the lettings sector is not the reason for their resolve – in fact, optimism has fallen. Pessimists slightly outnumbered optimists, by 31.5% to 30.5%. Meanwhile, 37.9% were neutral about the industry’s prospects. Last year, more than half of survey respondents were positive.

What are agents worried about?

Agents’ concerns come down to two causally linked issues: the availability of properties to rent, and the perceived cause, growing regulation.

61.6% of lettings professionals said finding new properties to rent is a challenge. Many industry insiders believe that landlords are leaving the sector, just as property professionals have warned. In another finding, an almost identical percentage – 61.7% – said their landlords were selling properties, and only a minority of those properties were being sold to other landlords.

The second most common challenge is complying with increasing regulation, as reported by 41.9% of agents. Regulation has always been a concern for agents, but has become even more so since it took third place the year before.  

That may be due to the imminence of the Renters’ Rights Bill, as well as other upcoming legislation like the requirement for privately rented homes to achieve a minimum EPC C energy rating. As things stand, however, the Renters’ Rights Bill is a radical overhaul of the relationship between landlords, tenants and agents, with more rights to tenants to avoid eviction, challenge rent increases, and keep pets.

Industry bodies have engaged extensively with the government since the plans were first consulted on, but this hasn’t led to a bill that agents are willing to get behind. A resounding 61.6% of respondents were dissatisfied or extremely dissatisfied with the bill, while just 8.9% are happy with it.

Nevertheless, they are ready to take on the challenge, says Reapit’s Commercial Director Dr Neil Cobbold.

“There’s no question the operating environment is complex and significant rental supply issues continue," he says. “But it’s also clear that agents, across both sales and lettings, are prepared to adapt. Those who embrace change will not just survive but thrive in the years ahead.”

The Property Outlook Report 2025 delivers crucial insight into the evolving UK property market. Download it now to find out more about estate and letting agents’ experiences, plans and challenges.

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