Salary shorts: Property management salary insights and hiring trends from the experts
Tommy Lambourne
As someone who has spent over a decade specialising in estate agency recruitment...
and now manages all mid-senior level hires across Prime Central London and the UK at deverellsmith, I've seen firsthand how the property management salary landscape has evolved dramatically over the past year. The sector is experiencing unprecedented changes that every hiring manager and job seeker needs to understand.
The current property management salary landscape
Property management salaries within the estate agency sector have experienced a moderate but meaningful increase over the past year.
The driving forces behind these salary increases are threefold: inflation pressures, a genuine shortage of skilled professionals, and intensifying competition for experienced talent. What I'm seeing in my day-to-day recruitment work aligns perfectly with broader market trends - employers are finding it challenging to attract and retain quality candidates at previous salary levels.
Market pressures reshaping compensation strategies
The property recruitment market is particularly challenging right now. One of the biggest challenges currently facing the industry is a growing talent shortage, driving candidates toward roles offering financial stability over commission-based incentives, with many now prioritising guaranteed salaries even at the expense of commission potential.
This shift represents a fundamental change in candidate priorities that I've witnessed firsthand through countless recruitment conversations. Where commission potential once dominated discussions, today's property management professionals are asking different questions about work-life balance and career security.
What top candidates actually want in 2025
Through my experience managing estate agency recruitment at the senior level, I've observed that salary negotiations have evolved far beyond basic compensation discussions. Today's property management professionals are placing greater emphasis on:
Flexible working arrangements
In 2025, we'll continue to see the effects of the post-pandemic shift towards home-working, with more people working remotely and buyer priorities having changed. Property managers are no longer willing to commute daily to central London offices when technology enables them to serve clients effectively from hybrid arrangements.
Career progression opportunities
The most successful property management recruitment conversations I have involve clear advancement pathways. Candidates want to understand not just their immediate role, but how they can progress within 12-24 months.
Job stability and security
Economic uncertainty has led some agencies to be more cautious with hiring and salary increases, but the essential nature of property management roles has sustained recruitment activity. Smart candidates recognise that property management is recession-resistant, but they want employers who demonstrate long-term thinking.
Industry challenges creating opportunities
The current market presents unique challenges that savvy professionals can turn into career advantages:
Build to Rent expansion
Although the concept has existed since 2012, there has been a recent surge in built-to-rent developments, particularly appealing to a younger demographic who seek hassle-free homes with professional property management. This growth is creating new build to rent recruitment opportunities for property managers with the right experience.
Technology integration
By 2025 and beyond, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems will have advanced significantly, offering enhanced lead management capabilities specifically tailored to the needs of estate agents. Property managers who can adapt to new technology platforms are commanding premium salaries.
Salary benchmarks and expectations
Based on our latest deverellsmith salary guide data, here are a few examples of the current salary expectations for property management jobs in 2025:
Assistant Property Manager: £25,000 - £30,000
Senior Property Manager: £35,000 - £45,000
Assistant Head of Property Management: £40,000 - £55,000
Head of Property Management: £55,000 - £90,000 + bonus
These figures reflect current base salaries from our comprehensive market analysis, with senior management roles including performance bonuses that can significantly enhance total compensation packages.
Strategic advice for employers
As someone who works with the UK's leading estate agency recruitment challenges daily, my advice to employers is clear: develop comprehensive packages that address the whole candidate experience.
Beyond base salary:
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Professional development budgets (£2,000-£5,000 annually)
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Flexible working policies with clear guidelines
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Performance-related incentives tied to client satisfaction
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Clear promotion pathways with defined timescales
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Enhanced pension contributions
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Private healthcare benefits
The report reveals the impending impact of the Renters' Rights Bill on commission structures, with agencies transitioning from collecting upfront fees to monthly payments, meaning negotiators are likely to see their remuneration spread across 12 months. Forward-thinking employers are using this regulatory change as an opportunity to create more predictable income streams for their teams.
The future of property management careers
Real estate recruitment trends indicate that the most successful property management professionals will be those who combine traditional relationship-building skills with digital proficiency. The threat landscape has changed significantly, with generative AI-enabled fraud attempts rising by 230% from 2023 to 2024. This creates opportunities for property managers who understand compliance and technology integration.
Conclusion: A candidate-driven market
The property management recruitment market in 2025 favours candidates who understand their value and can articulate their worth beyond just technical skills. Employers who recognise that total compensation extends far beyond salary will secure the best talent.
After 12 years in estate agency recruitment, I've never seen a market where soft skills, cultural fit, and long-term vision matter more. Property management professionals who can demonstrate client relationship skills, technological adaptability, and compliance awareness will command premium compensation packages.
The agencies thriving in this environment are those treating recruitment as a strategic investment, not a cost centre. They understand that in a candidate-driven market, the best property management professionals have choices, and they're making decisions based on career value, not just immediate salary figures.
Tommy Lambourne is Director at deverellsmith, specialising in estate agency recruitment with over 12 years of experience. He manages all mid-senior level hires across Prime Central London and the UK, with extensive knowledge of property management, sales, and lettings recruitment markets.
Download our full Salary Guide & Trends Report 2025 now.
If you are looking to hire top property management talent or are looking for your next property management job, get in touch below.
deverellsmith listed in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the UK
Unique questions you should be asking in your interview
FAQ
Property management in the UK involves overseeing rental properties on behalf of landlords, including tenant screening, rent collection, property maintenance, and handling tenancy agreements. Professional letting agents and property managers handle day-to-day operations like repairs, inspections, deposit protection, and ensuring compliance with UK landlord regulations and safety certificates. This service allows property investors to maintain their rental portfolio while reducing the time and stress of being a hands-on landlord.
Property manager salaries in the UK typically range from £20,000-£35,000 annually for entry-level positions, with experienced letting agents and senior property managers earning £35,000-£50,000+ depending on location and portfolio size. London property managers often command higher salaries due to increased living costs and property values, while regional letting agents may earn less but benefit from lower overheads. Many property management professionals also receive commission bonuses based on new tenancies secured and portfolio performance, significantly boosting total earnings.
The biggest responsibility for property management in the UK is ensuring tenant safety and legal compliance with all landlord obligations, including gas safety certificates, electrical inspections, fire safety regulations, and deposit protection schemes. Property managers must stay current with constantly changing UK rental legislation, tenancy laws, and health and safety requirements to protect both tenants and landlords from legal issues. Failure to meet these statutory responsibilities can result in hefty fines, prosecution, and potential rental property closures by local authorities.
Property managers in London typically earn £28,000-£45,000 annually for standard roles, with senior property managers and portfolio managers earning £45,000-£65,000+ depending on experience and company size. Central London letting agents and luxury property managers can command salaries of £50,000-£80,000+ due to high property values and demanding clientele in areas like Kensington, Chelsea, and Canary Wharf. Many London property management roles include performance bonuses, commission structures, and benefits packages that can add £5,000-£15,000 to base salaries annually.
To become a property manager in London, start with relevant qualifications like a property management course, estate agent training, or ARLA Propertymark certification which are highly valued by UK letting agencies. Gain experience through entry-level roles as a lettings negotiator, property assistant, or trainee letting agent with established London estate agents or property management companies. Many successful property managers also pursue NAEA Propertymark membership, complete CPD training, and develop expertise in London rental markets, tenancy law, and property legislation to advance their property management career.
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