The start of the new year is when many letting agents reset their goals but in 2026, winning more landlord instructions and valuation wins isn’t just about doing more, it’s about doing things better.
Landlords are more informed, more selective and less patient than ever; expecting fast responses, clear communication , professional marketing and complete transparency. The agents who win landlord business consistently are the ones who can do this: demonstrate trust, competence and efficiency from the very first interaction.
Here are ten practical, proven ways letting agents can stand out and win more instructions in 2026:
1. Respond Faster and More Professionally Than Competitors
Speed still matters… but professionalism matters just as much. Landlords often contact multiple agents at once. The agent who responds first with a clear, helpful and well-structured reply immediately sets the standard. Slow responses, missed calls or vague follow-ups quietly lose property management instructions before a valuation even happens.
Centralising enquiries and using structured follow-ups ensures no lead is missed, even during the busiest of periods. For multi-branch estate agencies in particular, consistent response times across offices are essential to maintaining a strong brand experience.
2. A Strong Online Presence and Local SEO Helps Win Landlord Valuations
Your online presence is often the first place a potential landlord looks. A strong website, up-to-date Google Business Profile and clear service pages help establish credibility before the first conversation. Local SEO also plays a huge role here: landlords are searching for “letting agent near me” or “property management in [area]”, not just generic national terms.
Optimising for local keywords, maintaining accurate listings and publishing useful local content helps your letting agency show up where it matters most, especially for multi-branch estate agencies targeting multiple locations.
3. Using Reviews and Case Studies to Win Landlord Trust and Instructions
Reviews, testimonials and case studies remove uncertainty when landlords are deciding who to trust with their business. Landlords want reassurance that other people like them have had a good experience. Google reviews, short testimonials and real examples of success help reduce hesitation and shorten decision-making.
The most effective agents don’t hide social proof on a single page, they reference it naturally in follow-ups, valuations and conversations. A strong CRM makes it easy to send out review requests and get higher ratings across your review platforms.
4. Transparent Letting Agent Fees Build Confidence and Increase Instructions
Winning instructions isn’t about being the cheapest: it’s about being the clearest.
Landlords are far more likely to award instructions to letting agents who explain their fees transparently, outline exactly what’s included, and avoid unexpected add-ons later. Clear fee structures signal professionalism and confidence.
Transparency is especially important for multi-branch agencies, where inconsistent pricing or messaging between offices can quickly undermine trust.
5. Consistent CRM-Powered Follow-Ups Improve Letting Instruction Rates
Most letting instructions are lost through poor follow-up, not poor service. Inconsistent chasing, forgotten callbacks or overly generic messages all erode confidence and the strongest agents follow up when they say they will, tailor communication to each stage of the decision process and never let interest go cold.
CRM-powered reminders and automation help ensure follow-ups happen consistently across individuals, teams and branches, without relying on memory or spreadsheets ensuring nothing slips through the net.
6. Use Video and Drone Tours to Stand Out at Valuation Stage
High-quality marketing isn’t just about tenants, it’s a powerful tool for winning landlord instructions at valuation stage. Video walkthroughs and drone footage demonstrate effort, professionalism and commitment to achieving the best outcome. They help landlords visualise how their property will be presented and marketed before they’ve even signed.
For agencies operating in competitive or premium markets, this can be a decisive differentiator at valuation stage.
7. Offer Free but Valuable Landlord and Tenant Resources That Help Secure Property Management Instructions
Providing genuinely useful resources that are free builds authority and trust.
Examples could be:
These resources position your letting agency as knowledgeable and helpful, not just transactional. They also support SEO by attracting long-tail searches and increasing time spent on your site.
8. Effortless Processes That Reassure Landlords Before They Instruct
Landlords make up their mind pretty quickly about how easy you’ll be to work with before committing to a long-term property management instruction. Clear onboarding, smooth document handling, organised communication and visible structure all contribute to a sense of control and professionalism. When processes feel effortless, confidence rises.
For both single and multi-branch estate agents, having standardised processes supported by shared systems ensures every landlord receives the same high-quality experience, regardless of which office they deal with.
9. Build Visibility through Local Partnerships and Networking
Strong local connections build trust. Relationships with mortgage brokers, accountants and contractors increase referrals and strengthen your reputation as a well connected local expert. These partnerships also help position your letting agency as embedded within the community - something landlords value highly.
10. Back Up Your Claims with Real Examples That Prove Your Letting Agency Wins More Instructions
Lastly, show… don’t tell. Short case studies, examples of problems solved or stories of landlords helped through complex situations brings your value and expertise to life. Even more so when combined with data, timelines and tangible outcomes to show.
For growing and multi-branch agencies, these real examples also showcase scalability, proving your systems and processes work not just once but repeatedly across multiple landlord instructions and portfolios.
How Veco Plus Helps Letting Agents Win More Instructions
Many of the ways letting agents win more instructions in 2026 come down to consistency, visibility and control, especially as teams grow or operate across multiple branches.
Veco Plus is designed to support exactly that.
With Veco Plus, letting agents can:
centralise enquiries and manage leads across single or multi-branch estate agencies
respond faster with shared inboxes, structured follow-ups and automated reminders
maintain consistent processes and messaging across teams and locations
keep all communication, notes and documents in one place
gain better visibility over performance, follow-ups and outcomes
Rather than relying on individual habits or disconnected tools, Veco Plus helps agencies deliver the same high standard of professionalism every time, from first enquiry to instruction and beyond. In a market where landlords expect clarity, speed and confidence, having the right systems in place isn’t just an operational advantage. It’s a competitive one.
Want to see how Veco Plus can help you win more letting and property management instructions?
Book a demo today.
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