The Software Landscape for Letting Agents Has Changed
Five years ago, letting agent software meant a CRM with a contacts database, a diary, and maybe some email templates. That was the entire category.
In 2026, the landscape looks completely different. AI-powered tools, automated workflow systems, and intelligent lead management platforms are reshaping what is possible. The challenge is knowing which tools actually deliver value and which are just marketing hype.
What Modern Letting Agent Software Should Do
At a minimum, software for a modern letting agency should cover these core functions:
- Lead capture and response - automatically pulling in enquiries from Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket, and your website
- Viewing management - diary scheduling, applicant communication, confirmation and reminders
- Tenant management - communication logs, maintenance requests, document storage
- Compliance tracking - Right to Rent, deposit protection, EPC expiry, gas safety certificates
- Reporting - response times, conversion rates, void periods, portfolio performance
The question is: how much of this should be manual, and how much should be automated?
Categories of Letting Agent Software
Traditional CRMs
Platforms like Reapit, Arthur Online, and Apex27. These are the workhorses of the industry. They store your data, manage your diary, and provide a central system for your team to work from.
Strength: comprehensive, established, widely used. Limitation: most are not AI-powered. They organise your work but do not do it for you.
AI-Powered Automation Tools
Newer platforms like Autoprop that use artificial intelligence to handle tasks autonomously. Rather than just storing data, they read enquiries, make decisions, and take action.
Strength: genuinely reduces manual work, operates 24/7. Limitation: newer category, fewer integrations with legacy systems (though this is improving rapidly).
Point Solutions
Specialist tools for specific tasks: referencing platforms, inventory tools, maintenance management apps. These do one thing well but require integration with your core systems.
Strength: deep functionality in their niche. Limitation: adds complexity and cost when you need multiple point solutions.
How to Choose: Five Key Questions
- Does it integrate with UK portals? - if it does not connect directly to Rightmove, Zoopla, and OnTheMarket, you are still doing manual work to bridge the gap
- Does it actually automate, or just organise? - there is a difference between a tool that shows you a list of enquiries and a tool that responds to them for you
- What is the real cost? - factor in setup time, training, per-user fees, and any per-transaction charges. A cheap monthly fee can become expensive at scale
- How fast can you go live? - implementation timelines matter. Every week spent setting up a new system is a week you are not benefiting from it
- Is it built for lettings? - tools designed for sales and adapted for lettings often miss critical lettings-specific requirements like notice periods and compliance tracking
The Case for AI-First Software
The trend in the industry is clear: agencies are moving from systems that require human input for every action to systems that handle routine tasks autonomously and escalate exceptions to humans.
This is not about replacing staff. It is about redirecting their time from admin to activities that require human skills: negotiation, relationship building, and complex problem solving.
The best letting agent software in 2026 does not just store your data. It acts on it.
Read about the proptech technologies that matter in 2026, explore what AI can do for your agency, or see Autoprop's features in detail.