Long hours have always been part of life in estate agency, with evenings, weekends and constant availability often seen as part of the job. But behind the listings and lettings, overstretched teams are quietly burning out.
A new survey suggests that mounting workloads, ongoing staffing shortages and rising client expectations are placing unprecedented pressure on agency staff, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of current working practices across the sector.
The research, carried out by Alto, highlights growing pressure on staff within UK estate agencies, with rising levels of burnout and particular challenges around recruitment and retention among mid-sized firms. The findings come at a time when agencies are also preparing for increased regulatory demands and ongoing cost pressures across the sector.
The data is drawn from the Alto 2026 Agency Trends Report, which surveyed 250 estate and letting professionals across the UK. According to the research, six in ten respondents report burnout within their teams. Of these, 44% describe it as an ongoing issue, while 15% say it has become a significant problem affecting performance.
Mid-sized agencies appear to be under the greatest strain. One in three respondents from this group cited recruitment and retention as one of their main operational challenges, reflecting difficulties in holding on to experienced staff.
Industry figures suggest many agencies are already operating with limited capacity, raising concerns about how teams will cope with further compliance requirements, administrative workloads and economic pressures expected over the coming year.
“Agents are tired, and that’s understandable”, said Riccardo Iannucci-Dawson, CEO of Alto. “The workload is relentless, the paperwork keeps rising, and teams are being hit from every direction.”
“Mid-sized agencies are in the toughest spot of all. They have enough volume to generate real pressure, but not enough staff to absorb it. Unless they modernise quickly, many will reach breaking point.”
The study explains why staff are struggling. Agents point to rising administrative work, compliance requirements, and frequent task-switching as major drains on time and morale.
Many say their day is largely spent on repeated data entry, chasing paperwork, and managing compliance tasks.
Alto links this pressure to the growing adoption of AI tools by agencies.
Iannucci-Dawson added: “AI is the pressure valve this industry desperately needs. The real shift we’re seeing is that AI is starting to manage work, not just data. It can spot what matters, guide agents through complex tasks, and keep processes moving automatically in the background.
“The agencies using it to eliminate repetitive tasks and keep deals moving are the ones who’ll cut burnout and keep their best people. Agencies using AI won’t just work faster; they’ll deliver a better experience for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.”
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