Portals, PropTech & Progress: What Agents Can Learn from Jitty’s Rethink of Property Search
At The Depositary, we believe the lettings industry doesn’t just need faster systems - it needs smarter ones. That’s why our conversation with Graham Paterson, co-founder of the AI-powered portal Jitty, felt so relevant to the future of agency.
Graham’s background scaling Deliveroo gave him a unique lens on consumer behaviour, operational systems and what happens when digital experiences actually meet user needs. With Jitty, he’s now bringing that perspective to property search - and challenging agents to think differently about how homes are found, marketed and matched.
From Filters to Feelings: Why the Search Experience Is Changing
As Graham pointed out, traditional portals are built around filters - bedrooms, bathrooms, price - but buyers and renters make decisions based on context and emotion. Is it the right light? The right vibe? The right flow for a family or a couple working from home?
Jitty uses AI and machine learning to surface properties based on lifestyle relevance - not just tick-box criteria.
For letting agents, this raises big questions:
Are your listings showing what people care about?
Is your photography and metadata optimised for discovery?
Are you ready for a world where search isn’t just literal - it’s emotional?
Why This Matters to Frontline Agents and Admin Teams
This isn’t just a marketing challenge. It’s operational. Agents and support teams need to:
Capture property information more thoughtfully
Write descriptions that go beyond the basics
Think about presentation as an extension of brand, not just inventory
At The Depositary, we take the same approach to the end of a tenancy that Jitty takes to the start: make it clear, make it relevant, make it feel good.
Better Data Means Better Tenancies
Jitty’s smarter search doesn’t just help users - it helps agents. More context-rich enquiries lead to:
Better tenant matches
Lower dropout rates
Less time spent on unsuitable viewings
And when paired with a clear, transparent conclusion process like ours, that means higher satisfaction across the full tenancy lifecycle.
Tech Should Support, Not Replace, Agent Expertise
Graham made a key point: Jitty isn’t about removing agents - it’s about removing friction.
That’s our view at The Depositary, too. We’re not here to replace people. We’re here to remove the repetitive, manual tasks that distract agents from doing what they do best - build relationships, solve problems, and deliver standout service.
Final Thought: Get Ready for Smarter Search
The portals of the past were about listings. The portals of the future will be about experience.
Letting agents who want to thrive in that future should:
Rethink how they present properties
Embrace platforms that support smarter engagement
Use tools like The Depositary to ensure every part of the tenant journey - from first click to deposit return - is joined up, efficient and professional
Because great search is the start. Great process is the finish. And agencies that invest in both will win in the long run.
