5 Things Shaping Office Support Hiring in Property Right Now

Insights from the deverellsmith Salary Guide & Trends Report 2026

Office support hiring across the property sector has been shaped by budget constraints, limited candidate movement, and a growing demand for specialist skills. Here's what the data and conversations on the ground are telling us.

1. Salary pressure is being driven by cost control, not lack of demand

Downward pressure on salaries in office support is real, but it isn't coming from a shortage of roles. It's coming from budget constraints. Many businesses are choosing not to replace senior support positions on a like-for-like basis, instead bringing in entry or mid-level staff at lower salary points. Experienced PA roles are increasingly being replaced by team assistants or administrators earning up to £10,000 less. Salary levels vary significantly from business to business rather than across the sector as a whole, making benchmarking more nuanced than in previous years.

2. Candidates are staying put, and flexibility is the main reason

Despite steady hiring activity since the start of the year, candidate movement remains limited. Minimal salary uplift and a lack of flexibility are the primary reasons professionals are choosing to stay where they are, even when new opportunities arise. Many candidates are simply unwilling to move if hybrid working or adaptable hours cannot be matched or improved upon. As a result, an estimated 70% of candidates show strong loyalty to the sector but limited appetite to change employers, pushing recruitment increasingly towards proactive headhunting rather than inbound applications.

3. Lettings experience and compliance knowledge are in growing demand

Demand within office support is becoming more specialised. Lettings experience continues to be highly sought after, particularly in the context of incoming renters' rights legislation, while compliance-focused roles have grown as businesses respond to greater regulatory scrutiny. Compliance workloads are increasing in complexity, especially for multi-branch organisations, driving demand for support staff with strong attention to detail and a solid understanding of regulatory requirements. This is one of the clearest growth areas within the function.

4. Some traditional roles are disappearing

Not all office support roles are growing. Certain administrative positions, such as renewals coordinators, are beginning to disappear as legislative reform reshapes operational requirements. Businesses that have historically relied on these roles will need to think carefully about how they restructure their support functions and what skills they need to prioritise as the regulatory landscape continues to evolve.

5. Salaries may begin to recover, but investment in people will be the real differentiator

There is cautious optimism that pay levels could start to rise as new budgets are released. Attracting and retaining capable support staff without offering financial progression is proving increasingly difficult, and businesses are beginning to feel that pressure. Looking ahead, the companies best placed to retain talent will be those that invest in training, qualifications, and inclusive reward structures rather than relying on salary alone to do the heavy lifting.

For full salary data and hiring trends across Office Support in property, download the deverellsmith Salary Guide & Trends Report 2026.

About the Author

Amanda Carrell | Manager, Office Support

With nearly 13 years of recruitment experience, Amanda is a highly skilled consultant specialising in the property and real estate industry. Having initially built her career in the education sector, she has spent recent years honing her expertise in placing top-tier property professionals within business support roles.

Amanda is passionate about connecting talent with opportunity, ensuring the right cultural and professional fit for both candidates and clients. Her deep industry knowledge, combined with a consultative and relationship-driven approach, allows her to deliver tailored recruitment solutions that support business growth and career progression.