Marvin OnumonuSix in 10 estate agents reported burnout, with staffing issues getting worse as new regulation and cost pressures hit the sector, Alto’s 2026 Agency Trends Report found.
The report found 44% of estate agents said burnout was an ongoing problem and 15% said it was now a major issue impacting performance.
Mid-sized agencies were hit hardest, with one in three identifying recruitment and retention as their biggest challenge.
Riccardo Iannucci-Dawson (pictured), CEO at Alto, said: “Agents are tired, and that’s understandable. The workload is relentless, the paperwork keeps rising, and teams are being hit from every direction.”
“Mid-sized agencies are in the toughest spot of all. They have enough volume to generate real pressure, but not enough staff to absorb it.
“Unless they modernise quickly, many will reach breaking point.”
Agents highlighted rising admin, heavy compliance demands and constant task-switching as key factors.
Many said their day was dominated by repeated data entry, chasing paperwork, and managing compliance tasks.
Additionally, Alto found agencies are now adopting AI-driven tools at speed to ease the pressure.
Iannucci-Dawson added: “AI is the pressure valve this industry desperately needs. The real shift we’re seeing is that AI is starting to manage work, not just data.
“It can spot what matters, guide agents through complex tasks, and keep processes moving automatically in the background.
“The agencies using it to eliminate repetitive tasks and keep deals moving are the ones who’ll cut burnout and keep their best people.”
He said: “Agencies using AI won’t just work faster; they’ll deliver a better experience for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.
“That’s exactly why we’re investing in embedded AI throughout Alto – to strip out the grind, take the stress out of compliance, save hours every week, and give agents more time to do the work they’re brilliant at and enjoy the most, like focusing on clients and relationships, not admin.
“When the people load is this heavy, technology stops being optional. The firms that take the pressure off their teams will be the ones that are thriving this time next year.”
