Clearer Standards, Stronger Agents: Why Compliance Is an Opportunity, Not a Burden
The world of residential lettings is changing fast. Reforms, licensing, and shifting consumer expectations have created a compliance minefield for letting agents and property managers. But rather than fearing these changes, the most progressive agents are asking a better question:
How can we turn compliance into a competitive advantage?
In our latest podcast, we spoke with Nicola Thivessen, Chair of the Zoopla Lettings Advisory Board and active member of The Lettings Industry Council (TLIC). With decades of operational agency experience and a clear understanding of what front-line staff face daily, Nicola offered invaluable insights into the future of regulation - and what smart agencies can do right now.
1. Consistency Builds Confidence
One of Nicola’s biggest frustrations? The wildly inconsistent and often overlapping local licensing schemes that agents are expected to interpret and manage - usually with minimal guidance.
This lack of consistency makes life harder not just for agencies, but for landlords and tenants, too.
At The Depositary, we’re supporting agents by simplifying one part of that puzzle: tenancy conclusion. By automating and structuring the final phase of the lettings journey, we help ensure that one key part of the compliance chain is executed consistently, accurately, and with full transparency.
2. Agents Are the Translators of the PRS
Nicola reminded us that agents are more than service providers - they’re translators. Whether explaining complex deposit deductions to a tenant or guiding a landlord through selective licensing, agents are on the frontlines of trust.
That’s why systems like ours are designed to reduce ambiguity. By giving agents control, audit trails, and templated communication, we empower them to explain clearly, manage fairly, and support compliance with confidence.
3. Better Systems Mean Better Culture
One of the most practical insights Nicola offered was the link between systems and culture. A team overwhelmed by manual tasks, unclear rules and inconsistent leadership will always struggle to deliver at their best.
By contrast, agents with access to robust processes and user-friendly tools can:
Reduce stress
Improve service delivery
Stay ahead of regulation
The Depositary supports that culture shift by making compliance part of the workflow, not an afterthought.
4. TLIC’s Vision: A Sector That Works for Everyone
Nicola’s work with TLIC is pushing for practical reforms - like universal property MOTs - that simplify compliance and raise standards across the sector.
We’re aligned with that vision. Our platform isn’t just about speed - it’s about structure, accountability and clarity. All of which contribute to a better experience for agents, landlords and tenants alike.
Final Thought: It’s Time to Professionalise - Proactively
The agents who thrive in the next 5 years won’t be the ones who do the bare minimum. They’ll be the ones who:
Invest in systems
Support their teams
Lead their clients with clarity
At The Depositary, we’re proud to be part of that professionalisation journey - not just as a supplier, but as a strategic partner in raising standards.
Because when compliance becomes embedded, not bolted on, everyone wins: agents, landlords, tenants - and the sector as a whole.
