Let without limits: How Barbers Estate Agents removed compliance anxiety and admin pressure

With over 175 years of heritage and a portfolio of 1,000 managed properties, Barbers Estate Agents is firmly rooted in Shropshire and the surrounding areas. For Richard Heath, Lettings Director at Barbers, the real pressure wasn’t understanding the Renters’ Rights Act. It was making sure nothing slipped through the cracks.

The limit: Fear of costly mistakes

Richard doesn’t hide what drove the decision to adopt Goodlord. His concern wasn’t a lack of knowledge. It was the consequence of small administrative errors in a fast-changing legal landscape. For a long-established agency with a strong local reputation, that kind of exposure simply wasn’t acceptable.

“Having Goodlord is a safety blanket for the Renters’ Rights Act. Knowing that our terms of business will be right post May and in the run-up to May, and our tenancy agreements will be right, and that we’re protected. It’s somebody in the background who we know is looking out for us to ensure that we’re compliant.”

Richard Heath

Lettings Director at Barbers

Removing admin pressure

“With Goodlord, people get the link, and they can sort it out themselves. It has allowed the negotiators more time to concentrate on communicating with clients and potential tenants to do viewings and not be chasing references.”

The impact was immediate.

“No one likes change. You get set in your ways. But one of the team here, within a couple of days, said, ‘This is going to be fantastic.’ I have absolutely no complaints at all.”

Another limit Barbers wanted to remove was fragmented systems. Richard wanted fewer moving parts. Previously, services like utilities and insurance were handled separately.

By reducing manual chasing and centralising processes, the team could focus on higher-value work rather than paperwork.

Bringing everything under one roof

Another priority was reducing complexity. Previously, services like utilities and insurance were handled separately. That meant more moving parts and more room for error.

“To try and have things all under one roof more, with things like rent guarantee, utility switchovers, and deposit-free protection. Having it all linked in eliminates mistakes if it’s all under one banner.”

The benefit wasn’t just internal.

“It’s definitely made life better for tenants because it’s all under one roof and you’re talking to one person rather than dealing with third party people separately.”

With less systems and fewer mistakes, it’s a smoother experience for everyone involved.

Calm in a changing market

While many agents feel unsettled by reform, Richard’s outlook is pragmatic.

“I do feel prepared… I’m not concerned about the legality side of things. I don’t see Renters’ Rights particularly as a problem. I am quite relaxed about it.”

That calm isn’t accidental. It’s built on having systems in place that reduce risk and remove unnecessary pressure.

Let without limits

For Barbers, the biggest limit was the fear of administrative error in a changing regulatory landscape.

Barbers now have time to focus on clients, knowing someone is in the background protecting their business.

“If you’re doing any volume of properties, going into this new world, having something like Goodlord on board is crucial to make sure you’re compliant.”