Industry Experts Give Recommendations on How to Protect Investments

UK Rental Market Faces Decline – How Can Landlords Protect Their Investments?

Last quarter, for the first time since 2019, average private rents outside London fell by £3. With the ongoing cost of living crisis, government policy changes, and increasing social pressure on estate agents and landlords, protecting property investment value has never been more crucial.

Call for Policy Change to Support Private Rental Sector (PRS)

Ben Beadle, Chief Executive of the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA), stresses that policymakers must act to maintain the availability of high-quality rental properties during the housing crisis.

“Yes, we must invest in social housing and unfreeze housing allowance. But a leaky bucket in the PRS (Private Rental Sector) will not help anyone—especially as more social housing will take years.”

PropTech Innovations Provide a Competitive Edge for Landlords

While policy changes are important, some experts argue that landlords and agents can mitigate losses through PropTech solutions that increase efficiency.

Adopting PropTech to Retain Property Value

Rebecca Nixon, a PropTech commentator, encourages landlords to embrace technology rather than rely on government intervention.

“Victimhood is not an option—take control of your investments and ensure they retain value.”

She urges landlords and agents to partner with PropTech startups to improve operations and tenant relationships.

“The evidence is conclusive. Agents and landlords who tool-up using advanced tech are getting ahead. They’re seeing increased ROI, lowering operational costs, and shorter void periods. The challenge is getting these already time-poor business owners to invest the time and energy needed to get ahead.”

The Role of Tech Providers in Driving Change

Johnny Siu, CEO of AskVinny, highlights that PropTech adoption needs to be seamless, and the onus is on technology providers to support estate agents and landlords through digital transformation.

“There’s no point putting pressure on businesses to change if they don’t know where to start, and if the adoption process is arduous. Our philosophy is a little different to most tech startups—instead of pushing for things like self-training and self-onboarding, we take the time to really get to know our clients and support them through the whole process of digital transformation.

“Yes, we’re selling them a product that will drastically improve their property management operations—but more importantly, we’re supporting them to make positive changes in their business that help their clients retain property value, retain great tenants, and weather any external storms that are outside our control.”

PropTech Solutions Driving Cost Savings & Efficiency

Ettan Bazil, CEO of Help Me Fix, reinforces the need for landlords and agents to be smarter with their resources.

“The current rental market requires landlords and agents to be smarter with their resources—not just to protect their investments, but to improve tenant experience.

“PropTech solutions, like remote diagnostics and video triage, are already proving their ability to drive down costs, reduce void periods, and enhance service levels. We’ve seen first-hand how embracing technology can empower landlords to maintain property value while delivering a modern, responsive service. The industry needs to shift from reacting to issues towards proactive, tech-driven management—those who innovate now will be the ones thriving in the future.”

AI in Property Management: The Future of Estate Agencies

Alessio Scannicchio of ScanSan Properties believes that estate agents are ready for change and will adopt technology when they see clear financial benefits.

“Our journey led us to developing an AI assistant for agents that gives instant—and incredibly powerful—market insights. These are professionals at the coalface of the industry every day and deserve access to tools that make their lives easier.

“When that happens, they can focus on delivering excellent customer service instead of treading water. That is how you retain property values in an increasingly volatile market.”

Will UK Government Policies Impact the Private Rental Sector?

With Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s stance on backing economic growth receiving scepticism from some in the property sector, it remains to be seen how policy changes will affect the PRS in 2025 and beyond.

Key Takeaways for Landlords and Agents:

• The UK rental market is shifting, requiring proactive investment protection.

• PropTech adoption is driving lower costs, fewer voids, and improved tenant experiences.

• AI-driven insights and remote diagnostic tools are helping landlords retain property value.

• The role of government policy remains uncertain, but technology is already delivering results.

By embracing digital transformation and PropTech solutions, landlords and estate agents can safeguard their investments and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market.