Recruitment in the Lettings Industry
Working in the lettings industry today is fast-paced, detail-oriented, results driven and often high-pressure environment. From navigating a competitive market, and an ever changing legislative and regulatory landscape to meeting demanding client expectations, agents will often face significant stress.
Success in the industry isn’t just down to clever marketing campaigns; it is a people driven business based on building relationships and in today’s technology driven climate this is often forgotten. As a letting agency, we rely on our team not only to handle the day-to-day demands of property management but also to deliver consistently high levels of service to both our landlords and tenants – and that makes recruitment a critical factor for our performance.
Charlie Inness, Glenham Property Management
It’s all about balance
In an ever increasing competitive environment, having the right blend of skills and personalities within the team is critical to our success. On any given day, we’re navigating compliance and legal regulations, negotiating leases, resolving tenant disputes, and juggling maintenance issues while at the same time seeking to grow the business. To do this effectively, we need to be able to draw on a range of skills:
- Detail-oriented individuals who can manage paperwork, compliance, and database accuracy.
- Confident and empathetic people with excellent interpersonal skills who can build relationships with landlords and tenants alike.
- Problem-solvers who can think on their feet, particularly in the property management and maintenance roles.
- Team players who work well in a team environment, who can adapt and collaborate effectively with others to achieve the company’s goals.
- Tech-savvy team members who can navigate modern software systems.
It’s a bit like running a relay race – you need people who can sprint when needed, pass the baton smoothly, and cover each other’s weaknesses.
Miles Gilham, Managing Director, Glenham Property Management
Holding it together: culture, communication and clarity
Once a strong team is in place, maintaining it is another challenge altogether. The lettings world is not for the faint-hearted. High volumes, emotionally charged client interactions, and constant time pressures mean burnout can be a real issue.
That’s why internal culture and leadership matter just as much as hiring the right people. We’ve found a few key principles essential in holding a team together:
- Clear communication – everyone should understand their role, feel heard, and know where to go when issues arise.
- Ongoing support and training – giving team members the tools to grow professionally keeps them motivated and invested.
- Recognition and morale – it’s a demanding job, so we make time to celebrate wins, big or small.
- Flexibility and trust – life happens, and treating staff like humans rather than cogs pays dividends in loyalty and performance.
Final thoughts: a true partnership
In such a dynamic industry, recruitment isn’t just about filling seats, it’s about building a foundation for sustainable growth and service excellence. Hiring the wrong person can be disruptive, may well lower morale, could put a strain across all relationships and ultimately harm the business. Onboarding someone who may have the right qualifications but lacks the right attitude and aptitude can be a costly mistake.
As letting agents, we value recruitment consultants who take the time to understand our specific challenges and team dynamics. When you find a recruitment partner who asks the right questions, digs deeper than the job spec, and genuinely wants to help build a team, it changes everything.
A consultant who understands the nuances of the lettings industry, who knows the difference between just an average potential employee and one who will excel and thrive under pressure, is worth their weight in gold.
