PropTech innovators reach national final of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

PropTech innovators reach national final of EY Entrepreneur Of The Year

Street Group co-founders Heather and Tom Staff have been named finalists in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026, representing the North of England with their property software innovations for estate and letting agents.

Heather and Tom Staff, founders of Street Group, have been shortlisted as finalists in the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 awards. Their company, based in Manchester, is the only business from the North of England to reach the national final, selected from 90 regional contenders. This recognition highlights their contribution to the property technology sector, particularly for estate and letting agents across the UK.

Street Group develops integrated software platforms that streamline sales, lettings, property management, and client accounting. Their flagship platform, Street.co.uk, consolidates these functions into a single system, addressing a key need for efficiency in agency operations. Another of their products, Spectre, is a comprehensive marketing tool designed to enhance prospecting and lead generation for agents.

Innovations driving change in lettings and property management

Street Group’s recent launch of Cortex, an AI-driven tool, exemplifies their commitment to innovation. Cortex enables users to create and manage their own AI agents, automating tasks and improving operational workflows. Since its introduction, Cortex has undergone over 670 updates and includes 22 ready-to-use AI recipes tailored to agency needs.

The EY Entrepreneur Of The Year programme recognises entrepreneurs who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and ambition while positively impacting their industries and communities. Finalists are assessed on entrepreneurial spirit, purpose, impact, and business growth. The 12 finalists represent companies employing over 20,000 people and generating combined revenues exceeding £3.22 billion.

Heather Staff commented on the achievement, emphasising their focus on challenging conventional methods and creating technology that makes a tangible difference. She indicated that Street Group will continue enhancing its existing products and introducing transformative solutions to the property sector.

Context: PropTech’s growing role in the rental sector

Technology adoption in the UK rental sector has accelerated as landlords and letting agents seek more efficient ways to manage properties, comply with evolving regulations, and improve tenant services. Integrated platforms like Street.co.uk address the complexity of managing multiple aspects of lettings, from tenancy agreements to rent collection and compliance documentation.

The introduction of AI tools such as Cortex reflects a broader trend towards automation and data-driven decision-making in property management. These innovations can help agents reduce administrative burdens, improve marketing effectiveness, and enhance tenant engagement, all while maintaining compliance with tenancy laws and safety obligations.

For landlords, the benefits of such technology include better oversight of property portfolios, streamlined communication with agents, and improved record-keeping, which is essential under current and forthcoming regulatory frameworks. Letting agents can leverage these tools to differentiate their services and adapt to the increasing demands of compliance and tenant expectations.

Practical implications for landlords and letting agents

Landlords with small portfolios should consider how integrated software platforms can assist in managing tenancy documentation, safety certificates, and rent arrears more efficiently. For letting agents, adopting AI-enhanced tools can improve lead generation and client management, potentially increasing lettings success and client satisfaction.

The ability to orchestrate AI agents through platforms like Cortex offers customisable automation, which can be tailored to specific agency workflows, such as scheduling inspections, sending reminders for safety checks, or automating responses to common tenant queries. This can free up staff time for more complex tasks, improving overall operational efficiency.

However, users must remain vigilant about data protection and ensure that any AI implementations comply with relevant legislation, including tenant privacy and data security requirements. Agencies should also keep abreast of regulatory changes that might affect how technology can be used in property management.

Uncertainties and considerations for future developments

While AI and integrated platforms hold promise, the pace of regulatory change in the rental sector means that landlords and agents must monitor official guidance closely. It remains unclear how future legislation might impact the use of AI in tenancy management or marketing. Compliance with deposit protection rules, possession procedures, and safety obligations must not be compromised by automation.

Additionally, the cost and complexity of adopting new technology can be a barrier for smaller landlords and independent agents. The long-term benefits need to be weighed against initial investment and training requirements. The evolving nature of AI tools also raises questions about accountability and transparency in automated decision-making within property management.

Steps landlords and agents should take now

• Review current property management and marketing processes to identify areas where integrated software or AI could improve efficiency and compliance.
• Assess the suitability of platforms like Street.co.uk and AI tools such as Cortex for your portfolio size and operational needs.
• Stay informed about regulatory updates affecting tenancy management, safety obligations, and data protection to ensure technology use remains compliant.
• Consider training or support for staff to effectively implement and manage new technology solutions.
• Maintain clear records of all compliance activities, inspections, communications, and tenancy documentation within any new system adopted.

Supporting landlords with compliance and management tools

The Landlord Association (TLA) membership offers access to practical compliance resources and document support that can complement the use of PropTech solutions like those developed by Street Group. Members can explore TLA’s compliance materials to ensure their property management practices meet current legal standards.

TLA is also developing ORBIT, a new property management and compliance platform currently available in BETA testing. ORBIT aims to help landlords and letting agents organise properties and portfolios, manage rental documents and records, and keep evidence of compliance activity together in one place. Features under development include tools to record repairs, inspections, communications, and tenancy procedures, which are crucial for meeting regulatory requirements.

Exploring TLA membership and ORBIT BETA access can provide landlords and agents with additional support in adapting to the increasing complexity of rental sector regulation and technology integration.

Looking ahead, the integration of AI and comprehensive software platforms will likely become standard in the rental sector, making early adoption and compliance preparedness important for landlords and agents aiming to maintain efficiency and legal conformity.

Sources: Letting Agent Today