Breaking Property News 16/06/25
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Solving property asset compliance and maintenance issues
How Symple transformed property management for the SME Group
At SME Group, managing a varied portfolio of residential and commercial properties requires precision, compliance, and operational efficiency. As the Repairs, Maintenance & Compliance Coordinator, ensuring that all properties remain safe and compliant while reducing administrative workload is critical. In 2023, we made a strategic move to adopt Symple, a property management platform that has revolutionised the way we work.
The Challenge: Fragmented and Inefficient Systems
Before Symple, we relied on traditional Facilities Management Software (FMS) to manage compliance and contractor bookings. Although it helped with basic scheduling and reminders, it lacked automation and integration.
Coordinating gas safety inspections, electrical checks, and other essential services across multiple properties and contractors was time-consuming and error prone. Missed deadlines, scattered documentation, and inefficiencies were common.
Discovering Symple: A Purpose-Built Solution
In mid-2023, we began searching for a more streamlined and effective solution. Our goal was clear: to simplify maintenance and compliance processes across our portfolio.
After thorough research, we chose Symple—a platform designed specifically for property managers and letting agents to centralise service records, automate bookings, and manage compliance certificates with ease.
Seamless Integration and Onboarding
The switch to Symple was smooth, thanks to the dedicated support of their onboarding team. They helped us import our entire portfolio and existing data into the platform, consolidating all documentation in one easy-to-access location.
With everything centralised, our team now operates more efficiently and confidently, knowing that deadlines and regulatory obligations are no longer at risk of being overlooked.
Real-World Impact: Gas Safety Inspections
A standout example of Symple’s value is how it improved our gas safety inspection process. Previously, this task required multiple communications, manual scheduling, and fragmented record-keeping. Now, with Symple:
Inspections are automatically scheduled.
Notifications are sent to both contractors and our team.
Certificates and documentation are stored in a centralised, accessible system.
This has not only improved compliance but also significantly reduced the administrative burden on our team.
The Tangible Benefits
Since implementing Symple, we’ve seen measurable improvements in several areas:
✅ Improved Efficiency
Administrative tasks that once took hours are now automated, freeing up our team to focus on more strategic property management responsibilities.
✅ Enhanced Compliance
Proactive alerts and centralised documentation ensure that no safety check or compliance requirement is missed.
✅ Cost Savings
While not all cost savings are easily quantified, the reduction in errors, delays, and non-compliance penalties has had a clear financial benefit.
✅ Excellent Support
Symple’s customer service team is responsive and knowledgeable. Whenever we’ve faced technical issues or needed feature guidance, they’ve been there to help—promptly and professionally.
A Proactive, Future-Focused Approach
Thanks to Symple, we’ve shifted from a reactive to a proactive property management model. No longer are we chasing deadlines or tracking down paperwork. Everything we need is readily available at our fingertips, giving us the confidence and control to manage our growing portfolio effectively.
Our Recommendation
We confidently recommend Symple to property managers and letting agents seeking to modernise and streamline their operations. The platform is intuitive, reliable, and backed by exceptional support. It has been a game-changer for SME Group—empowering us to maintain high standards while growing our business.
As we look to the future, we’re excited to further leverage Symple’s capabilities to continue delivering excellent service and ensure full regulatory compliance across our portfolio.
Andrew Stanton Executive Editor – moving property and proptech forward. PropTech-X
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