5 Things Shaping Real Estate Management Hiring Right Now

Insights from the deverellsmith Salary Guide & Trends Report 2026

The Real Estate Management sector has remained largely stable over the past 12 months, but underneath that stability, some meaningful shifts are taking place. Here's what businesses and professionals across Real Estate Management need to know.

1. Core salaries are holding steady, but senior hiring is changing shape

Salary levels across the majority of service delivery roles have remained broadly unchanged over the past year. At the senior end of the market, however, the model is evolving. Employers are increasingly opting to secure six-figure expertise on a flexible, project-based basis rather than through permanent headcount, managing cost risk while still accessing the capability they need. Many senior candidates are actively welcoming this shift, drawn by the variety and comparable earnings that contract structures can offer.

2. Building safety and compliance expertise is now business-critical

The Building Safety Act 2022 has created one of the most acute talent pressures in the sector. Demand for dedicated building safety managers is significant and growing, yet the talent pool remains extremely limited. The role is relatively new, formal qualifications tailored specifically to the legislation are still emerging, and IOSH and NEBOSH certifications are being used as the closest available benchmarks. Consultancy firms specialising in building safety are stepping in to fill critical gaps. Property managers who are process-driven and compliance-oriented are commanding greater value as regulatory demands become central to the role, not peripheral to it.

3. Bonuses remain discretionary and business-dependent

Bonus structures across property management are varied and awarded on a discretionary basis, tied primarily to individual performance and business profitability in any given year. There is no sector-wide standard, which means candidates evaluating total reward packages need to look carefully at how bonus decisions are made and what track record a business has in paying them out.

4. Flexibility is no longer a perk, it is a prerequisite

Flexible working has become a non-negotiable expectation across much of the sector, particularly for parents and those commuting from outside central hubs. Businesses that cannot offer it are not just struggling to hire. They are actively losing experienced managers to competitors that can. Progression, growing responsibility, and regular communication are equally important retention drivers. Our strong advice to employers is to stay close to your best people, understand what they want, and find ways to recognise and reward performance before another business does it for you.

5. Demand for building safety professionals and contract talent will keep rising

Looking ahead, salaries for core roles are expected to remain stable, with modest increases driven by individual movement rather than broader market shifts. Demand for building safety professionals is forecast to grow further as regulatory pressure intensifies, and contract and consultancy work at senior levels will continue to expand. Turnover may rise as that pressure builds, making investment in employee wellbeing and support not just a nice-to-have but a genuine business priority.

For full salary data and hiring trends across Real Estate Management, download the deverellsmith Salary Guide & Trends Report 2026.

About the Author

Tommy Lambourne | Director, Estate Agency, Property Management & Mortgages

Tommy has over 12 years of experience working in estate agency recruitment and now runs the Estate Agency division at deverellsmith. Managing all mid to senior level hires across Prime Central London and across the UK, he has a vast knowledge of what good looks like in the market.