One platform. 70% less admin.

About LOFT Estate Agents

Founded by experienced estate agents Tom Scola and Molly Sheridan after more than a decade working within large corporate agencies, LOFT Estate Agents was created with a simple goal: to offer a more personal, transparent and customer-focused approach to agency. 

Having worked together in Purley, South London, for several years, they saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between large corporate brands and smaller independent agencies, combining professional expertise with a more human approach. As Tom explains, the ambition was simply to “be normal human beings, normal people” and build an agency centred around relationships, trust and customer service. 

Today, the business has built a strong local reputation, earning more than 240 five-star reviews and developing a growing presence across both sales and lettings.

Key takeaways

• 70% less admin
  Estimated reduction in tenancy administration time.
• Portfolio growthBuilt a substantial lettings portfolio in less than 18 months.
• One workflowConsolidated referencing, compliance and tenancy progression into a single process.

The challenge

Although LOFT launched with extensive experience in residential sales, lettings presented a very different set of challenges. 

The founders recognised that a successful estate agency needed a lettings offering, but neither had significant experience managing the day-to-day operational and compliance requirements involved, “we were both sales for our whole careers.” 

As lettings started to grow, LOFT found itself managing multiple systems across different suppliers. Referencing, rent protection and tenancy progression all sat in different places, requiring the team to move between platforms and repeatedly enter the same information. 

The process was more than just time-consuming. Multiple systems created inefficiencies, limited visibility and added complexity throughout the tenancy journey. The challenge wasn’t simply efficiency, it was confidence. Without an established lettings background, navigating a highly regulated process brought understandable concerns around compliance and making sure important steps weren’t missed. 

For LOFT, the goal was clear: find a way to simplify the process, create greater visibility and build confidence in a growing area of the business. 

The change

The turning point came when LOFT was introduced to Rightmove’s Referencing and Tenancy Manager. What immediately stood out was the ability to bring previously disconnected processes together within a single platform. 

Instead of managing referencing, rent protection and tenancy progression through multiple suppliers, the team could oversee the entire tenancy journey through one workflow. Because applicant and property information was already held within the platform, much of the duplicate administration disappeared. 

The onboarding experience was straightforward, helping the team quickly gain confidence in using the platform. LOFT also appreciated the modern, intuitive design, which made it easy to track progress and understand where every tenancy sat within the process. “It was very, very smooth.” 

Just as importantly, expert support was always available when needed and LOFT knew that the support team was only a phone call away. 

The platform also helped address one of the team’s biggest concerns: compliance. Built-in reminders, progression milestones and mandatory process steps provided reassurance that key actions couldn’t be overlooked. The team particularly liked how the system guides users through the process, helping ensure nothing is missed and giving them confidence that every tenancy is progressing compliantly. 

The result

Today, lettings has become an increasingly important part of the LOFT Estate Agents business. What began as a service area the team approached cautiously has grown into a healthy portfolio of fully managed and let only properties in less than 18 months.

Perhaps the biggest impact has been efficiency. The team estimates they’re now “saving probably 70% of the time”, freeing them to focus less on administration and more on supporting landlords, tenants and growing the business.  

That time saving has enabled the team to focus less on administration and more on supporting landlords, tenants and business growth. 

The increased visibility and structure has also transformed confidence levels within the business. Rather than worrying about missing steps or compliance requirements, the team can see exactly where every tenancy sits and provide accurate updates whenever landlords or tenants get in touch. “We know exactly what’s going on.” 

For customers, this translates into better communication, faster updates and a more professional experience. 

For LOFT, it has created confidence not only in the process itself, but in their ability to continue growing the lettings side of the business.

Looking back, the team believes that confidence, combined with the support available through Rightmove, has played an important role in helping attract additional lettings business and strengthen their offering.