The Compliance Advantage: What Letting Agents Can Learn from Carrie Alliston’s Career in Leadership
At The Depositary, we work every day to make the tenancy conclusion process faster, easier and more transparent. But efficiency alone isn’t enough. The agents who get the most from our platform - and who deliver the best outcomes for clients - are those who pair performance with professionalism.
That’s why our conversation with Carrie Alliston, now Head of Partnerships at HomeLet (Barbon Insurance Group), stood out. With decades of experience from local lettings teams to national leadership roles, Carrie brings a clear, no-nonsense perspective on where our industry is falling short - and where the opportunity really lies.
Her message is one every agent should take to heart: compliance is not a cost centre - it’s your strategic edge.
Risk Isn’t Just Legal - It’s Reputational
Carrie was quick to call out a common trap: agents treating compliance like admin. But in today’s market, that mindset is dangerous.
A missed regulation, a lazy clause, a poorly handled dispute - these aren’t just technical issues. They’re events that erode client confidence, damage reviews, and open the door for competitors.
Letting agents who want to stay essential need to stop treating compliance as “someone else’s job” and start making it a core pillar of their client service.
The Best Agents Know Their Stuff - And Show It
Carrie’s own journey - from negotiator to national director to partnerships lead - is rooted in curiosity and credibility. She emphasises that real expertise isn’t about reciting legislation. It’s about:
Understanding why the rules matter
Anticipating client questions before they arise
Translating complexity into clear advice
At The Depositary, we see this every day. The agents who embrace our automation tools and process insights most effectively are the ones who already operate with clarity, structure, and intent.
Culture Eats Checklists for Breakfast
One of Carrie’s most powerful insights? That ticking boxes isn’t enough. The culture of your agency - how your team speaks, learns, owns their role - is what determines whether you consistently deliver for clients.
That’s why The Depositary is more than just a system. It’s part of a broader ecosystem of professional agency. We work best when integrated with a business that:
Cares about training
Encourages proactive thinking
Welcomes change and innovation
Carrie’s leadership journey shows what’s possible when that mindset is in place.
Letting Agents as Compliance Communicators
Carrie also made a crucial point: letting agents are the translators between complex legislation and everyday property decisions.
In an era of Renters Reform, increased licensing, and shifting case law, that role has never been more important. Your landlords are relying on you to:
Interpret risk
Guide decisions
De-escalate issues before they spiral
And that’s where the best agents are thriving - not just by being compliant, but by being confident and consultative.
Final Thoughts: From Admin to Authority
The future of agency isn’t about doing more tasks. It’s about doing the right tasks - with insight, consistency and care.
Carrie Alliston’s career is proof that compliance, culture and communication aren’t boring back-office functions. They’re what set great agencies apart.
At The Depositary, we’re proud to support the agents who get that - who are building businesses that last, because they’re built on trust.
And if that’s you? Let’s keep raising the bar. Together.
