Can proptech ever replace people?

Proptech. It’s a whole new world reshaping the lettings industry, and the last two years have seen an explosion of supporting technologies and automated systems. It’s all sold to us as time and money saving but at what expense?

Let’s get this straight from the start. More automation can definitely streamline operations. We even harness the power of digital brilliance here at ARPM, with Fixflo, Goodlord, Qube and Adobe e-sign all complementing our processes. Proptech is a smart solution in many cases but it’s not the savior of the property management industry.

We strongly feel that proptech should always be combined with real people – especially when it comes to property management. Phasing out the human touch in a bid to reduce overheads and slash costs is a really narrow minded way of thinking.

Successful property management in today’s lettings sector is just as much about support as it is management. Phased changes (tax relief and MEES, for instance) and an increasing number of legislative measures mean landlords need someone to turn to when they’re confused or questioning their future in property investment.

Proptech can’t have a conversation with a landlord who needs to understand a deposit scheme provider’s terms and conditions. Automation can’t make a judgment call when weighing up two contractor quotes. We’re working in an industry where customer service is under intense scrutiny and online reviews are playing a bigger part in a client’s choice of service provider. Reducing the amount of expert human judgment, professional intuition and hands-on management to is detrimental to the lettings industry as a whole, and may result in chronic under servicing.

Is there a happy medium? We believe we have found the right blend at ARPM. The specialist software and proptech we invest in is designed to make processes quicker and our departments more accountable. Our staff are knowledgeable and experienced – always ready to dispense advice, have a friendly conversation and provide reassurance at the end of a telephone. Our outsource status means we offer the value-for-money that agents desire – only paying for the services they need, when they need it.

Our combination of people and proptech can help agents and managers future proof their operations. Already there’s strong evidence of the proptech sector consolidating and realigning as start-ups fail to get off the ground and over-ambitious suppliers scale back to meet the true industry demand. Using ARPM can provide immunity to the industry fluctuations, while freeing you of management and administration tasks so you can concentrate on new business.

Why not leave us to explore prop tech and disruptive technologies? We’ll research, try, test and employ only the most efficient and useful services on your behalf – a great perk if you’ve baffled by the myriad of proptech options. Those using ARPM also have the added peaceful-of-mind that there’s a real person in charge of property management seven days a week – working proactively, reactively and with that personal touch that people still crave.

Written by Simon Duce – simon.duce@arpm.co.uk

EAN Content

Content shared by this account is either news shared free by third parties or sponsored (paid for) content from third parties. Please be advised that links to third party websites are not endorsed by Estate Agent Networking - Please do your own research before committing to any third party business promoted on our website. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Homes on spooky street names like ‘bat’ and ‘hell’ sell for far above the national average

The Halloween street names that cost a fortune to live on A new study has determined which Halloween-themed streets are the most expensive to live on.  Streets with the word ‘bat’ in the name face an increase of 188.6% from the national average house price in the UK.  Streets that include the words ‘cauldron’ or…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Why Mortgages Shouldn’t Only Be Accessible for 9–5 Workers

As the modern workforce evolves, mortgage lending criteria are struggling to keep up. Across the UK, thousands of people who earn outside of traditional employment, from content creators and freelancers to contractors and entrepreneurs, are finding themselves locked out of the housing market, despite having stable and often high incomes. According to James Enos, National…
Read More
Breaking News

Property Sector is in ‘Wait and See’ Mode

Commenting on how the property sector is fully in ‘wait and see’ mode ahead of the Autumn Statement, Daniel Austin, CEO and co-founder at ASK Partners, said: “With the Autumn Statement looming, the property market remains in ‘wait and see’ mode. Buyers are pausing, and developers are holding back amid uncertainty over potential tax changes…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove streamlines tenant move-in journey with Renter Checklist

The UK’s largest property platform Rightmove has launched a new checklist for renters, streamlining the process of moving into a new rental home. The checklist guides tenants through each part of the rental process, from finding a property to picking up the keys. The new Renter Checklist is available now in My Rightmove, where people…
Read More
Breaking News

Industry Reaction to Renters’ Rights Bill Becoming Law

The Renters’ Rights Act has officially received Royal Assent, marking one of the most significant reforms to England’s private rented sector in decades. The new law will ban Section 21 no-fault evictions, replace fixed-term tenancies with open-ended agreements, cap rent increases, and introduce tougher property standards under the updated Decent Homes Standard. It also paves…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove data and commentary as Renters’ Rights gets Royal Assent

The UK’s largest property platform Rightmove shares data and commentary on the rental market as the Renters’ Rights Bill finally gets Royal Assent and becomes law. Key market data The average advertised rent of homes outside of London has reached a new record of £1,385 per calendar month (pcm). Average rents outside of London are…
Read More