Property Management Franchise Opportunities

Property Management Franchise Opportunities

What is a property management franchise?

A property management franchise is a business model where you manage residential or commercial properties on behalf of landlords or property owners. You work under the brand and support of a larger, established company (the franchisor). 

While Belvoir and Hunters may spring to mind, property management franchises can cover a range of services, including:

• tenant placement and vetting
• rent collection
• property maintenance and repairs
• marketing and advertising
• property inspections
• holiday rentals
• furniture restoration
• renewable energy installation
• flooring installation

This diversity of choice not only makes it an eclectic and accessible industry, but also increases the chances of finding a business opportunity that suits your lifestyle and location.

What's the state of the property management industry?

According to research by Ibis World (published in March 2025), the revenue of the property management services sector in the United Kingdom was estimated to be worth a whopping £3.3 billion.

Meanwhile, the number of employees in the sector was estimated to amount to over 346,000. This figure is only set to rise as more houses are built across the country and the tourism sector continues to boom. 

Further, as the demand for short-let accommodation rises, so too does the need for reliable property management. According to Amy Boyton, director of franchise sales at Pass The Keys, this shift in expectations is redefining the industry.

“Landlords and homeowners are now seeking trusted partners who can offer professional, hands-off solutions," she explains. "Customers of Airbnb and similar platforms are now expecting hotel-like standards.”  

Why buy a property management franchise?

Thanks in part to the economic strength of the property management sector, there are plenty of reasons why property management franchises are an attractive route for entrepreneurial-minded individuals. 

We spoke with Nikki Higgins, head of franchise sales at No Letting Go to find out more. The company is a leading provider of property management services including landlord, tenant, and corporate inventories,

Nikki explains that one of the biggest advantages of buying a franchise in the property sector is the opportunity to build a long-term asset rather than simply taking on a job. “It’s a business that you can build as an asset to sell… your dream, your Ferrari on the drive, or a nice little nest egg for your pension.” 

There's also the flexibility and scalability of the model. “One of our franchisees was living out in France. He’d come over every six weeks to see his clients and clerks, and with just three or four clients, you’ve got a six-figure turnover”, Nikki says. 

In addition to scalability, property management service-based businesses also offer a steady recurring income. For example, many landlords prefer to hand over the day-to-day responsibilities to a professional. This is especially the case if they have multiple properties or live away from their listed property.  

Even better, instead of starting from scratch, franchisees can work under a trusted brand with proven systems and experience.

CEO of Pass The Keys, Alex Lyakhotskiy, explains, “Starting independently might seem appealing, but in reality, it often means spending months, or even years, trying to figure out operations, marketing, pricing, guest support and compliance all on your own.

"With a franchise, you gain access to that hard-earned knowledge from day one, backed by national brand recognition, industry-leading technology and expert support.” 

Navigating the challenges of property management franchising 

As property laws change and the rental landscape transforms, driven by trends like Airbnb and short-term lets, the property management franchise sector is a rapidly changing one. While buying a franchise offers exciting opportunities, it also comes with challenges.  

As Nikki candidly puts it, the biggest hurdle often isn’t the training, but rather the mindset of individuals taking on a franchise.

“We can train franchisees to do credit control, recruit a team and wear all the million hats of a business owner. The only thing we can’t train is for you to have the passion to get up in the morning and get out there to do business.” 

Amy highlights the importance of having robust systems to support a property management franchise. “There’s also the operational side. Some franchises may struggle to balance quality and growth at scale, so it’s crucial to have strong systems in place, along with trusted local contractors.” 

Opportunities 

One of the biggest opportunities in the property sector lies within its challenges, particularly around changing legislation. As Nikki explains, “Every time there’s new legislation, it actually enhances our business.” 

With the upcoming Renters Reform Bill, compliance is becoming even more critical. Since No Letting Go’s franchise model is built around property compliance reporting, these legal changes create fresh demand for its network.

The team is already preparing new reports that franchisees can use, not just to stay compliant, but to open up new revenue streams. 

Underserved markets

Another opportunity lies in tapping into underserved markets where property owners are seeking better, more reliable management solutions.

When Matthew Clayton and Kerry Clayton, owners of Pass The Keys’ Peak District branch, first approached a remote property owner, they saw a huge opportunity. This was despite the fact that the owner had been tied to a competitor for years. 

"We were invited for a meeting at a remote property after prospecting the area," they recalled. The owner was frustrated with poor guest reviews, averaging around 4.3 out of 5. There was also a low average daily rate (ADR) of £35.

However, the owner was hesitant to switch due to fears of a long, complicated contract. Matthew and Kerry encouraged them to review their terms, discovering they only needed three months' notice. 

Starting with just one property, they set a simple challenge: if they could lift guest scores above 4.7 and ADR over £100, the owner agreed they could manage the others. "Long story short, we now manage all three cottages with an average score above 4.8 out of 5 and an ADR of £140." 

Thanks to the franchise model, strong brand backing and the right support systems, Matthew and Kerry turned a single property into a thriving multi-cottage portfolio. This showcases exactly how franchising can be a smart path to growth. 

Making the right investment when buying a property management franchise 

As shown by the advantageous economic statistics behind the UK’s property management sector, investing in a property management franchise can be a highly lucrative venture. 

However, success doesn’t come overnight. Doing your research is crucial to long-term success in starting or buying a property management franchise.  

For Matthew and Kerry, these principles have been the cornerstone of their success story. Building a strong and well-trained team, with the backing of Pass the Keys’ powerful support and technical systems, gave them the confidence and infrastructure to grow. 

They understood early on the importance of "knowing their numbers," keeping a close eye on key figures like net booking value (NBV) and break-even points to guide strategic decisions.

A consistent and imaginative social media presence, coupled with search-optimised blog content, helped them stay highly visible and attract the right audience in such a competitive market. 

Equally important was the commitment to staying in touch with every lead and maintaining a thriving contact pipeline through relevant and timely communication.

By becoming active members of their local business community and positioning themselves as trusted, knowledgeable property professionals, Matthew and Kerry have become a go-to name for short lets in the Peak District. 

Their journey shows that with the right focus, tools and community spirit, long-term success in franchising isn't just possible, but probable. 

Do you need experience?

You don’t need a background in property to succeed with a property management franchise, Nikki explains. “We’ve got a variety of people from all walks of life… as long as you’ve got that passion to get up and get the business, we can train you for everything else.” 

CEO Alex amplifies this message, explaining, “You don’t need a background in property or hospitality to succeed as a franchisee. What matters more is your attitude, drive, and willingness to learn.”

Many of their top partners, he said, come from industries like finance, education or tech, united by “strong communication skills, a desire to build a local business, and a passion for delivering great service.” 

What really matters, according to Nikki, is attention to detail, strong written English for report writing, and the drive to build a business. That accessibility has opened the door for people of all ages and experiences, some even discovering a career path they hadn’t considered before. 

One standout success story is that of a 21-year-old clerk who took over a No Letting Go franchise in Gravesend. Within just two years, he was running the highest-turnover office in the network. “He was turning over a quarter of a million and won Young Franchisee of the Year, all before he was 25”, Nikki recollects. 

As Amy reaffirms, “success comes from being persistent, planning carefully and having a real willingness to learn. Like with any new business, especially in that first year, you’ve really got to give it your all.”  

From young starters to franchisees in their 80s, this is a model that works when you follow it and proves that industry experience isn’t everything. 

Browse our wide range of property management franchises for sale, or check out more franchise opportunities, including property franchises, pest control franchises and commercial cleaning franchises.