The UK's property management sector has expanded for the fifth year in a row as landlords increasingly turn to professional support to navigate a more complex regulatory landscape, according to new research from Rushbrook & Rathbone.

Analysis of VAT and PAYE enterprise data found there were an estimated 20,105 property management businesses operating across the UK in 2025, up 2.8% from 19,550 a year earlier and the highest number recorded in the dataset.

Roma Sharma, Managing Director of Rushbrook & Rathbone, said: “Historically, many landlords viewed property management primarily as a service focused on rent collection and maintenance coordination. Whilst those responsibilities remain important, the role has expanded significantly as regulation has increased and operational requirements have become more complex.

“The continued growth of the sector reflects this shift. More landlords are recognising that professional management is not simply about convenience, but about protecting both their income and their investment.”

England accounts for 91.1% of all property management firms, with London remaining the dominant hub, home to around 6,200 businesses, or 30.8% of the UK total. However, the East Midlands recorded the strongest annual growth in 2025, with the number of firms increasing by 7.9%.

Rushbrook & Rathbone said the sector's continued expansion reflects the growing demands placed on landlords, particularly around compliance, maintenance and tenant communication, with the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act expected to accelerate the trend.

The research suggests that as the private rented sector becomes increasingly regulated, demand for specialist property management expertise is likely to continue growing.