Letting Go of the Old Guard: What Simon Gates Teaches Us About Agency in 2025 and Beyond
At The Depositary, we’re in the business of making the final stage of a tenancy faster, easier and better. But we’re also here to support letting agents in evolving their businesses - and that means embracing new tools, new ideas, and new ways of thinking.
That’s why our latest chat with Simon Gates, founder of Opening the Gates, hit home. Because Simon isn’t just challenging outdated norms - he’s inviting agents to reimagine what success, leadership and service look like in the modern property market.
And frankly? We’re here for it.
Authenticity Is the New Advantage
In a sector still obsessed with scripts, suits and sales targets, Simon’s perspective is refreshing: the best agents don’t just know their stuff - they show up as themselves.
He’s built a following and a business around this ethos. By consistently sharing valuable insights, honest reflections, and a few spicy truths, he’s proven that authenticity and vulnerability are assets, not risks.
For letting agents, that’s a lesson worth taking seriously. Because the clients of tomorrow - especially Gen Z and millennial landlords - aren’t just looking for service. They’re looking for someone they can trust.
From Compliance to Connection
We all know the industry’s had to evolve rapidly. Compliance, legislation, tech, regulation - it’s been relentless. But amid all that, the human piece often gets lost.
Simon reminded us that content isn’t marketing - it’s relationship-building at scale. And that’s exactly how letting agents can expand their influence. By:
Posting useful insights on LinkedIn or Instagram
Documenting their day-to-day experiences
Engaging with peers and prospective clients online
Letting agents who do this aren’t just ‘agents’ anymore - they’re seen as community experts, industry contributors, and go-to people. And that’s where long-term business comes from.
Learning as a Lifestyle
CPD gets a bad rap. Too often it’s seen as a checkbox or a chore. But Simon reframes it beautifully: curiosity is the edge.
From podcasts and webinars to articles and in-the-moment learning, the best agents are those who stay interested. Who ask better questions. Who try new things.
At The Depositary, we see this mindset reflected in the agents who get the most from our platform. They’re proactive. They iterate. They care.
And we believe that’s the key to modern agency success - not just knowing more, but being willing to learn more every day.
The Future Agent: Strategic, Human, Visible
If you’re a letting agent reading this, ask yourself:
Am I visible where my clients are?
Do I demonstrate value before I’m asked?
Have I built a personal brand that earns attention and trust?
Simon Gates would argue that these questions are no longer optional. They’re essential.
Because the agents who win in 2025 and beyond won’t just be compliant. They’ll be connected, confident, and culturally relevant.
They’ll know how to use tools like The Depositary to drive efficiency, yes - but they’ll also know how to drive engagement. With clients. With their team. With the industry at large.
Final Thought: Progress Needs People Like You
Simon’s whole ethos - and ours too - is that the best ideas don’t belong to the loudest voices. They belong to the most committed.
Letting agents who care. Who learn. Who lead. Who listen.
At The Depositary, we’re proud to support agents like that. Because you’re not just managing tenancies - you’re building businesses, shaping standards, and redefining what agency can be.
So let’s keep opening gates.
