"We're developing autonomous, self-learning AI agents designed to support specific tasks and processes within a business and the wider industry, not just generic estate agency activities"
- Dr Neil Cobbold - Reapit
UK estate agencies are increasingly adopting AI and automation to manage a growing skills shortage, according to analysis from PropTech provider Reapit. The findings come as the number of payrolled employees in the real estate sector grows at its slowest rate since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reapit’s inaugural Property Outlook Report 2025 shows that while agencies are still hiring, many are struggling to attract suitable candidates. More than half of hiring agencies received fewer than five qualified applicants per vacancy, despite the highest unemployment rate since May 2021.
The hiring slowdown coincides with rising employer costs. These are being driven by higher National Insurance contributions and the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill, which will limit zero-hour contracts and expand protections against dismissal and redundancy.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the number of payrolled real estate employees increased by 1% between July 2024 and July 2025, the weakest annual growth since May 2021, when the rate was 0.9%.
In response, agencies are increasing their use of PropTech tools, automation and AI to improve efficiency. Reapit’s survey found:
More than 50% of respondents reported increased use of time-saving technology.
Nearly 80% believe investing in automation is cheaper than adding to headcount.
69% consider it more productive.
Reapit notes that the benefits of technology go beyond filling immediate skills gaps. The company emphasises that the primary advantage is enabling staff to focus on higher-value work, regardless of market conditions.
“As we see today with Reapit’s existing embedded AI, agencies aren’t using it to replace employees but to assist, helping them prioritise the key parts of the job that need the human touch,” explained Dr Neil Cobbold, commercial director at Reapit UKI (pictured). “Our upcoming Reapit AI will go further than the automation and traditional AI we have within the platform today."
"We're developing autonomous, self-learning AI agents designed to support specific tasks and processes within a business and the wider industry, not just generic estate agency activities," he added, "These agents will serve as digital companions to real-life estate agents by managing tasks, offering recommendations, and continuously learning from what proves effective, while crucially leaving property professionals in control.”
