Survival Strategy: Letting Agents in a Failing Currency & Economic Crisis

It’s in the news every day and all over social media that a financial crash is coming due to negligent, perhaps even criminal, actions of the banks, government and other financial institutions. Consider how your agency will cope and how you can help your landlord clients ….

1.  Systemise and De-Risk Your Agency

• Make your business saleable or self-sufficient: Use an organised approach — build systems, reduce owner dependency.

• Prioritise recurring revenue models (Full Management, Rent Collection over Let Only).

• Create contracts with inflation-indexed fees (e.g. RPI-linked service charges) to preserve real income as currency devalues.

  
  

2.  Index Everything to Inflation (Real or Anticipated)

• Encourage landlords to review rents annually and include inflation-linked clauses in tenancy agreements.

• Charge fees in line with property value or rent, not fixed amounts (e.g. 10% of gross rent, not £80/month) and with a minimum fee level.(e.g. 10% of gross rent with a minimum of £80/month)

• Don’t lock in long-term contracts in nominal terms — currency is losing value.

  
  

3.  Prepare for Falling Property Prices

• Alert landlords that capital appreciation will be over, and focus on cashflow yield.

• Guide clients away from over-leveraged expansion.

• Support portfolio consolidation (selling weak units, reducing debt exposure).

• Offer valuation and exit planning services — become a “rational exit partner.”

  
  

4.  Diversify Revenue Streams

• Add services like:

  • Eviction & legal support (demand rising in arrears/crisis),

  • HMO compliance consultancy,

  • Damp & mould risk assessments (value-add and regulation-proof),

  • Energy efficiency upgrade coordination (with coming EPC changes).

• Sell premium landlord plans that bundle legal, compliance, and inflation-resilient planning.

  
  

5.  Build a “Collapse-Resilient” Network

• Collaborate with:

  • Gold/sound money advocates, for workshops with landlords.

  • Alternative finance lenders (non-bank), in case landlords lose access to mortgages.

  • Accountants who can structure properties defensively (LLPs, Trusts, etc.).

  • Other agents for off-market joint ventures or portfolio sales/swaps.

6.  Own What You Can – Avoid Debt

• If your agency rents its premises, negotiate lease terms indexed to inflation, or look to buy your office if possible.

• Avoid high-interest business borrowing unless it produces secure, inflation-resistant income.

  
  

7.  Educate Clients Proactively

• Publish briefing papers on fiat currency risk, debt cycles, and landlord exit planning (already started this here!).

• Host landlord webinars on “Protecting Property Wealth in a Currency Crisis.”

• Position your agency as an economic translator and guide, not just a rent collector.

  
  

Big Picture Philosophy

You are not just letting homes. You are defending middle-class capital from systemic erosion.

Letting agents who act early will become indispensable allies to landlords facing the coming reset. Most competitors will still be asleep at the wheel, chasing cheap lets and ignoring macro risk.

You have access through our Collective to some of the best financial minds in the business, from tax adviser to mortgage brokers and tax barristers. Don’t hesitate to message us if there is something that you may need help with to aid your landlords even if there is no crash.