Transforming tenant relations: A new era in real estate

How streamlined client journeys are revolutionising the industry

What if tenant satisfaction was the key to unlocking long-term returns and standing out in a crowded real estate market? Across the sector, a quiet revolution is reshaping the way we think about property management - one that places the tenant experience at the heart of strategy.

The new gold standard: Experience over efficiency

For decades, real estate success was defined by location, yield, and operational efficiency. But today’s forward-thinking firms are shifting focus. The real value lies in the relationship with the tenant - and that relationship starts long before a lease is signed.

Tenant journeys now span the full lifecycle: from initial interest and onboarding to off-boarding, service interactions, and even re-engagement. By mapping out each of these stages, companies are creating smoother, smarter, and more satisfying experiences - ones that align not only with tenant needs but also with core business goals.

As one of my colleagues suggested, “Real estate has always been about location. Now it’s just as much about connection - with tenants, with data, with communities.”

From transaction to relationship: The rise of the customer-centric model

Understanding tenant behaviour and expectations isn’t just a bonus - it’s becoming essential. Companies that adopt a truly customer-centric approach can tailor their services, strengthen brand loyalty, and respond quickly to shifting demands. In a market where differentiation is everything, experience is the new battleground.

Tech that talks to people - not just systems

Gone are the days when IT systems served solely back-office functions. Today, real estate firms are investing in point solutions that bridge the gap between operations and engagement. Platforms like Chainels¹, Area of People², and Pilar Technologies³. enable better communication, empower tenants, and streamline key touchpoints — especially during onboarding, off-boarding, and maintenance interactions.

Case in point: mapping the journey at portfolio scale

In a recent project, we partnered with a Dutch family office managing a diverse real estate portfolio valued at approximately €840 million, covering both residential and commercial properties across the Netherlands. Their ambition? To elevate tenant experience across the board.

They proactively defined a set of clear client journeys:

• One for newly built residential developments

• Another for tenants in existing assets

• A final pathway dedicated to repair requests and complaints handling

To support this strategy, Remit conducted a full assessment of how to align these journey requirements with the company’s current IT infrastructure.

The results highlighted a common challenge: their existing ERP system, designed for operational management, lacked the flexibility to support client-centric processes. A shift in mindset was needed - from an operations-first model to one that puts tenants in the driver’s seat, enabling greater transparency and autonomy throughout the process.

Challenges ahead - but huge upside

Integrating modern point solutions with legacy ERP and property management systems isn’t without its challenges. But the pay-off is significant: streamlined workflows, reduced friction, and higher tenant satisfaction.

Firms that overcome these integration hurdles will not only improve retention rates but also position themselves for stronger long-term performance.

The power of insight and communication

Another key driver of this transformation? Data. Institutional investors are increasingly seeking real-time insights into tenant behaviour — and the tools to respond dynamically. Enhanced communication channels are enabling a more personalised, responsive service model that builds trust and loyalty.

Connection is the new location

As the industry continues to evolve, tenant relationships are becoming more than a management concern — they’re a core strategic asset. By embracing a client-centric approach and investing in technology that fosters meaningful engagement, property firms can turn satisfied tenants into long-term partners.

This is more than a trend. It’s a new era - one where the client is no longer an afterthought but the starting point for every decision, every innovation, and every success.

¹ https://getchainels.com/nl

² https://www.areaofpeople.com/en

³ https://www.pilartechnologies.com

MIPIM 2025 – Navigating change and innovation

MIPIM 2025, held last month in Cannes, brought together real estate professionals from around the globe, and while the atmosphere was notably more serious than in previous years, reflecting the current economic climate, the event was a crucial platform for discussing the industry's future and how it can innovate in order to navigate the changes that real estate markets are experiencing.

Remit Consulting was at the forefront of the discussions around innovation and technology, launching the findings of our highly anticipated AI in Property Survey 2025, undertaken in association with Antony Slumbers and the UK PropTech Association (UKPA).

The survey revealed critical insights into AI adoption within the sector. While 72% of firms now provide access to AI tools, only 9% have fully integrated them into workflows. Data quality emerged as a significant barrier, and while AI is largely seen as a career enabler, concerns about job displacement, particularly in property management, persist. A key message heard throughout the AI sessions was "AI is not magic; it's maths," highlighting the importance of robust data and effective change management.

You can download the full report here: AI in Property Survey Results

Beyond AI, MIPIM 2025 highlighted several key trends shaping the real estate landscape:

• Net-Zero Standards: The UK is pioneering a unified net-zero building carbon standard, focusing on eliminating fossil fuel use and driving transparency in carbon reporting.

• Investment Shifts: The industry is witnessing a shift towards data centers, green energy, and logistics hubs, reflecting a convergence of real estate and infrastructure.

• Economic Realities: Political instability and the need to decouple energy prices from fossil fuels are significant concerns, demanding strategic policy alignment.

• Workplace Evolution: Culture and team dynamics are paramount in talent retention, with workplaces needing to reflect employee values.

• Tenant Strength: The value of real estate is increasingly tied to tenant stability and demand, as highlighted by Philippe Cervesi's memorable quote: "The value of real estate investment reflects the tenant, not always the quality of the property. In France, we had the best building in the world in Versailles, but we beheaded the tenant - after that, it was not so popular! The moral of the story is, don’t cut the heads off your tenants.”

• Purpose-Driven Business: There’s a growing emphasis on purpose, from integrating art into urban spaces to supporting LandAid initiatives.

• Middle Eastern Investment: Investors from Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East are driving market activity with rapid decision-making.

• Proptech innovation: The UK government is funding local authorities to invest in proptech solutions – particularly in the area of town planning.

The overall mood at MIPIM reflected an industry in transition, facing economic uncertainties and a scarcity of large-scale deals. However, amidst these challenges, innovation and a focus on sustainable, people-centric real estate are driving the sector forward.

Lorna's Logic: Risk assessed, wallet depressed - the insurance gamble we all lose

I am amazed I have lasted this long without committing this particular rant to print.  However, the arrival of a renewal insurance premium with a 35% increase has opened that particular old wound again (and no, it was not a health insurance policy).

Over the years, I have battled with insurers of property, teeth, and travelling.  In each and every instance, they won financially, though I did gain some ground morally on occasion.

Apparently, the UK insurance industry is the largest in the whole of Europe and manages to reach fourth position across the globe, behind the US (no surprises there), Japan, and China.  However, per capita, we are spending around 21% more on insurance premiums than even the US! (1)

I appreciate that some categories are incredibly wise to insure (e.g. house burning down) or legally required (e.g. car etc) but why are we so obsessed with protecting against other things that may never happen and which, let’s face it, rarely do to the tune of what you have paid in premiums over the years?

In my latest contretemps, I have realised that by putting the premium into the bank instead of the insurer’s coffers, I will be better off financially and have sufficient to meet everything but the most catastrophic event.  The insurance companies won’t notice my paltry premium disappear out of their estimated £208 billion value - yes, billion.  How did insurance become such a golden goose, and why do we keep blindly feeding it?  Partly because of the complexity of policy documents and fine print, I imagine. 

I have known several actuaries over the years; I consider some of them friends.  But let’s face it, they are an unusual bunch: super-intelligent yet often not really of this planet.  They live and breathe actuarial tables, and suggesting using a practical, real-life approach tends to send them skittish. 

A previous example for you: a water main sprang a slow leak under my floor – slow enough to not be noticed, determined enough to rot through the joist and floorboards (all neatly concealed by a very large sofa).  As part of the mayhem that followed, I had a full, new water pipe installed through my house.  The insurance company was appalling and unhelpful, and so I was still in dispute with them come renewal.  “Let’s double her premium and exclude any water-related claims going forward”, they said.  Logic dictates that the odds of me having a new water leak had been minimised if not eradicated, yet the Table said “no”.

I appreciate there will be big claims elsewhere for insurers to meet, and I am sure people whose lives have been devastated by flood, fire, etc, are eternally grateful that they have cover.  However, insurance companies have become akin to casinos, playing the odds yet always, always coming out on top.

Apparently, the government receives about £12+ billion (very old statistic) via the IPT (Insurance Premium Tax), but then the government also provides a form of reinsurance to protect the insurers from crippling claims, such as during Covid or our ever-frequent flooding.  There is probably a very good reason why this money is available to the insurance companies and not as a publicly accessible option, but I fear it may be purely an administrative decision.

In these straitened economic times, could one small area of the government perhaps think about how individuals could be better protected without others profiting quite so much.

Footnote (1)

2024 figures

Remit Consulting’s Lorna Landells provides expert insight on Home-based Working at House of Lords Select Committee

Remit Consulting partner Lorna Landells, was recently invited to provide evidence to the Home-based Working Select Committee in the House of Lords. Based upon the research conducted by Remit Consulting into the evolving, post-pandemic landscape of hybrid and remote working since the end of the national lockdown in 2021.

The select committee was focused on the latest data, workplace trends, and the impact of flexible working on productivity and the economy.

Expert insights on the future of work

As part of the session, Lorna presented findings from Remit Consulting’s research, including its ReTurn study, which tracks daily office occupancy, workplace trends, and the shifting dynamics of remote and hybrid working and comprises a complete time series since May 2021. She shared valuable insights on how businesses are adapting their workplace strategies, as well as the challenges in measuring productivity and workforce engagement in a post-pandemic world.

The Select Committee explored several key issues, including:

• Current data gaps in tracking hybrid working trends across industries.

• The role of employers in shaping remote work policies and measuring productivity.

• The wider economic impact, including changes in office space demand, house prices, and business districts.

• International comparisons, highlighting how the UK leads in hybrid working due to its service-driven economy.

Shaping the future of workplace strategy

Remit Consulting continues to support businesses in navigating the challenges of hybrid working, in addition to our ReTurn research, through our regular Office Worker Attitude survey we also provide detailed analysis on office utilisation, workforce preferences, and the evolving role of the workplace.

Contact us

To learn more about how Remit Consulting can help your organisation optimise its workplace strategy, contact Lorna Landells today.

Yammer with Yiannis: My first MIPIM – should I be worried?

“Lucky you!” my fiancée said (somewhat sarcastically) when I told her I was going to the South of France next week - heading to my first-ever MIPIM. I'm joining the Remit Consulting Team at the flagship global property event, where we are publishing our research on AI in property.

I have to admit – I’m feeling a mix of excitement and, if I’m honest, a bit of apprehension. With over 20,000 attendees descending on Cannes for the world’s premier real estate event, I guess it’s easy to feel a little daunted. After all, this is where the biggest players in property, investment, and urban development come together to shape the future of our towns and cities.

Maybe it’s a touch of imposter syndrome, but I keep wondering if I’ll fit in and whether I'll be able to keep up with the whirlwind of meetings, networking events, and panel discussions. Most importantly, will I survive the late nights and early starts that seem to be an unspoken part of MIPIM?

My more experienced colleagues keep warning me that it’s a marathon, not a sprint and I need to pace myself.

It’s not something I’m very good at!

The MIPIM hype

MIPIM is the global property event. It’s where nations and cities showcase their biggest development opportunities, investors hunt for the next big thing, and businesses forge the kind of deals that can reshape entire skylines.

My colleagues tell me that the scale is staggering. Just look at the programme: four days of back-to-back events, with high-profile speakers, government delegations, and industry leaders all in one place.

But beyond the grand scale, MIPIM is really about people – the conversations, the connections, and the opportunities that arise from simply being in the right place at the right time. I guess it’s why so many in the industry see it as an unmissable fixture in the calendar.

What I’m expecting – and what I’m hoping to gain

A first-timer’s MIPIM experience can be overwhelming, but I’m approaching it with an open mind and a clear strategy. My plan is simple:

• Be prepared but flexible. I have key meetings lined up, but I also know that some of the best conversations happen unexpectedly.

• Try to pace myself. With events running from morning till late at night, and beyond, it’s tempting to do everything – but I’ll need to try and balance my energy levels. Easier said than done with my short legs!

• Listen and learn. With high-calibre speakers and real estate leaders present, I’m looking forward to absorbing as many industry insights as possible - particularly in the world of PropTech and AI.

• Meet new people. Real Estate is, ultimately, all about people and how we live, work and invest in the built environment - and MIPIM is the place to go to meet those who will shape the future

• Share our intelligence - (access the AI in Property Report even if you’re not at MIPIM)

While there’s an element of nervousness, I know that stepping into something new is often where the best opportunities come from. I’m ready to make the most of it, embrace the experience, and see where MIPIM takes me.

And if all else fails, at least I’ll be in Cannes. And if you're there, why not join me for a coffee, in the sunshine? Just from me an email at yiannis.michael@remitconsulting.com

Charlie’s Corner: Insights from SpaceUK 2025

Remit Consulting’s Charlie Bolam reflects on the key takeaways from Space UK, the one-day conference for property professionals, held recently at the London Stadium.

Last month, Remit Consulting’s team attended SpaceUK 2025 at the London Stadium, a day filled with a spectrum of hot topics in real estate and an impressive roster of hosts and speakers. Here are the key insights from four standout focus areas of the day.

Placemaking

After initial greetings and an obligatory photo of the magnificent stadium interior, we dived into a keynote on placemaking by Simon Carter, CEO of British Land.

Key Insights:

• Successful placemaking is broader than people often believe, encompassing both the space between buildings and what occurs within them.

• Big players like M&S are moving away from high street stores in favour of the increased sales seen in accessible and spacious retail hubs.

Human-Centric Regeneration

A panel featuring James Saunders (Quintain Living), Morwenna Hall (Related Argent), and Tom Bloxham (Urban Splash) explored human-centric regeneration.

Key Insights:

• A building's efficiency does not necessarily equate to a pleasant place to work or live.

• Building and maintaining community through small events is effective.

• Progress is not always linear and relies on early adopters, creatives, and storytellers to share a vision.

Return to Office (RTO) and Flex Strategy

We were given the opportunity to split into ‘tribes’ for more intimate roundtable discussions. Esteemed hosts from the likes of Avison Young, Network Rail and Ericsson brought valuable insight on RTO and Flex Strategy.

Key Insights:

• 'Team WFH' advocated for flexibility, improved father-child relationships, and liberated working mothers.

• ‘Team RTO’ raised concerns about the productivity paradox, limitations on innovation when working from home, and declining soft skills.

• The new generation of WFH recruits are suffering from “Disability in collaboration”, potentially impacting company profits.

• MindSpace noted a shift in take-up from small offices for five to six people to companies leasing entire floors to maintain a sense of place while enjoying best-in-class amenities.

Integrating AI

The roundtable discussion on integrating AI was standing-room-only, with representatives from L&G, The Crown Estate, Savills IM, Greystar and Digital Trees igniting the discussion.

Key Insights:

• Rushing to complex solutions before mastering simple ones often leads to failure.

• AI outputs should be treated like a junior team member's work.

• We will see more AI innovation in the next four months than in the past four years.

Conclusion

In summary, SpaceUK 2025 offered invaluable insights into key areas shaping the future of real estate, from placemaking to AI integration. As the industry continues to evolve, staying informed and adaptive is crucial for success.

Contact Charlie Bolam for more information

Lorna's Logic: Are we on?

When did we stop asking if it was acceptable to record someone? Moreover, when did you last feel comfortable saying “please don’t” when everyone else had nodded mindlessly?

With the exponential growth of AI in our workplace, I am hearing regularly, “Oh, I am trying out this new bit of transcribing AI, so will be recording this meeting”, or suchlike. Our consent or otherwise is not even an afterthought.

It shouldn’t matter that AI captures every word. It shouldn’t matter that it will capture the unspoken sentiment in our tone; yet it might. Even the fastest human note-writer will be unable to transcribe every, single syllable, but we are suddenly presented with the possibility of every sotto voce remark being shared more widely than intended. We should still have a voice about being recorded, especially given AI’s more malevolent ability to clone from a single phrase of just three seconds…

There is, in fact, still a legal requirement in the UK to secure a person’s consent to record them at work, not only by telling them your specific purpose but also preferably in writing. That consent, if obtained, is only valid for that one event, not in perpetuity. This is a grey and stormy area, though, as more and more are tending to record meetings. We are being bagged and tagged whichever way we turn.

If you are recording a Zoom, Teams, Google Meet etc, you are not only netting our voices, but you have our facial expressions and gestures on tape and on tap. Any fans of #aviewfromthebridge may have seen Elijah’s exposition on being filmed all the time by complete strangers. We have become so attuned to being on camera that, maybe the various indigenous people are right, by being filmed and recorded we are perhaps giving away our souls: “losing our energy”.

Enough mad rant, though, this is meant to be a way of saying, as we are, apparently, the fourth most filmed/recorded country in the world, wouldn’t it be nice to have a bit of a reprieve and just listen for a while?

Over and out.

Future Trends in Commercial Property Asset Management

The property asset management software landscape has evolved significantly in recent years, offering a plethora of options for professionals seeking alternatives to the long-standing industry standard, ARGUS Enterprise. As asset managers, many of you have relied on ARGUS for years, but as new technology is launched all around us, there is a growing interest in exploring new solutions.

We’ve been tracking about 20 new solutions which have come to the market in the last three years, and we’ve had the chance to review many of them with clients. Most have been brought to the market by people who have been frustrated by various aspects of asset management systems historically, and to be fair, there has been very little innovation in this part of the systems market.

System styles

The starting point for many of the systems varies according to the background of the company founders.

Finance

A key focus for a number of systems is aggregating all the data from multiple portfolios and regions into one reporting system. Of paramount importance are the finance numbers and how they are displayed to investors. The complexity and flexibility of each system varies and many of these solutions, when being trialled, are being developed one global fund manager at a time. This slows the overall roll-out but is intended to more fully develop the software before dealing with multiple customers.

Business planning

In the same way, some systems are hoping to integrate the reporting and analysis from many different types of system in place in organisations. Pulling together the data from the property management, valuation, finance and building systems gives a complete view of the properties and portfolios – dashboards then show different views for different users.

AI

Most systems nowadays claim to use AI to make the user’s job simpler. This is starting to be applied to limit the amount of work required to set up the systems. We’ve heard that several systems are experimenting with live searches of lease documents – i.e. reading every pdf lease anew for each query. This will overcome the need for individual lease documents to be extracted into a separate database and kept up to date with each new adjustment.

Information hub

Recent developments from existing market solutions have leant toward gathering a far wider selection of data to give a fuller picture of the investments. Data feeds from news sources and indices like MSCI or even Remit’s own ReMark can be included in the data reported through these hubs.

Valuation

In many cases, valuations are still left to existing software, particularly as few solutions have troubled the incumbents in this market. There are new solutions, and existing which are seeing a resurgence; however, with the move towards increased integration of disparate systems, this area is often left alone in specification discussions.

Conclusion

Let’s not forget that many large property organisations are building their own solutions from an increasingly accessible toolbox – Microsoft for example provides all the software applications and tools you need to create a bespoke solution if you have the right IT department. Additionally, AI provides a quick and easy way to build code if that is your background.

The abundance of software options in the property asset management space reflects a market responding to the evolving needs of professionals. Whilst ARGUS Enterprise continues to be a significant and important player, new technology has opened the door for other innovative asset management solutions. As an asset manager, it's crucial to evaluate these options based on your specific requirements, considering factors such as functionality, scalability, integration capabilities, and cost-effectiveness. Remit’s advice is to gain consensus amongst the whole team before you look at systems. Yes, we know that’s difficult, but it will significantly reduce the pain later on during implementation.

The future of property asset management software lies in platforms that can provide comprehensive, data-driven insights while maintaining flexibility and ease of use. As competition in this space intensifies, we can expect to see continued innovation and improvement across all available solutions.

---

Citations:

[1] https://www.landlordvision.co.uk/blog/gotenant-alternatives

[2] https://slashdot.org/software/p/ARGUS-Developer/alternatives

[3] https://www.getapp.co.uk/alternatives/2072938/lendlord-property-management-software

[4] https://www.altusgroup.com/solutions/argus-enterprise

[5] https://www.fixflo.com/blog/the-16-best-property-management-software-systems-uk

[6] https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/rise-fall-argus-software-omar-khan

Dear 2025 – we’ve been waiting for you!

Talking to friends across the industry, one thing is clear, few of us are sad to see the back of 2024, the year that brought seismic shifts globally and here in the UK, where a new government has set ambitious goals for transformation.

To prepare for what lies ahead, we asked some of our esteemed colleagues in the business of real estate, what they thought would be the one big change to come this year, in one sentence; some stretched that concept a tad and one response was initially, “oh blimey”! Here, though are some thoughts for you, 2025, about what you can expect.

A return to stability and opportunity

Stability for the UK perhaps, but what about the impact of US politics? “A Trump presidency will have far-reaching impacts in 2025, affecting the property sector in multiple ways: from the impact on the Government’s economic policies to trade flows and the impact on access to materials, to customer confidence.” (Melanie Leech CBE, Chief Executive, British Property Federation).

Optimism about inward investment is shared across the industry

It is clear the Labour government has a big task ahead of it, meeting the challenges of political change around the globe. However, the overriding sentiment amongst those we approached is upbeat.

“A stable political environment, reducing interest rates and a reminder of the strong fundamentals of the UK will result in increased activity from overseas investors in the UK real estate market.” (George Roberts, Head of UK & Ireland, Cushman & Wakefield).

The positivity about inward investment was echoed in, “…the biggest change will come about as a result of change elsewhere, making the UK stand out in Europe as comparative political steadiness and the safest haven for capital and with some sectors - retail in particular - firmly discarding the past and rising phoenix-like as a solid investment bet.” (Vivienne King, Founder, Impactful Places).

Stability will be a key watchword for the UK in 2025 and in comparison, with other traditional investment locations. Remit’s benchmark service – rent payments (ReMark), Return to office (ReTurn) and research to follow up on a range of 2024 projects such as our Office Productivity research will be essential in supporting investment decisions.

Pension funds

“UK Pensions” was the pithy response to our question from John Forbes. We’ve been working with John throughout 2024 and know that he is passionate about the changes brought by the change of UK Pensions from Defined Benefit, to Defined Contribution. We’ve watched the news in 2024 as the Asset Management teams of the major pension funds have started to restructure themselves, focus on different sectors, and prepare for greater flexibility to reduce costs.

We see more of the same happening in 2025 and the advent of useful Artificial Intelligence gives us yet more options. Our Boardroom AI workshops have proved popular with senior leadership teams and have already identified significant savings.

Planning for progress

Another key area in which to prepare yourself is the drive to change archaic planning regulations; “Labour’s planning bulldozer will clear the ground for those seeking opportunities in the land market.” (Peter Bill, Journalist) and “Government follow through to resource the planning system to facilitate processing of applications and decision making.” (John Duxbury, Head of UK Asset Management, M&G Real Estate), were just two of the predictions we received on this topic.

In 2024 Remit was involved in the first phase of a 27Ha mixed use development – our client wanted to design-in the efficient management of the new community and optimise its operational structure in light of ESG and consumer requirements. We see a far greater emphasis on this preparation work in prime new development and are well placed to help.

Sustainability in the spotlight

Talking of Environmental issues… these should, and will, continue to feature front and centre and our prophets felt so too, “… an increasing and tightening focus on environmental performance without the clarity needed to manage that issue.  Measurement should also factor in the entire life cycle of the building.” (Simon Elmer, Steward of the Bedford Estates).

2025

In 2024 we developed our new tagline – “Improving the Business of Property for Now, and for Future Generations.

Well, 2025, this open letter is to welcome you and the flurry of activity you are predicted to bring – but keep an eye on the long term for future generations. We are ready and waiting to be even busier!

Hello, 2025. We’re ready for you.

Improving Employment Conditions in Facilities Management: Challenges and Opportunities

The UK workforce consists of over 30 million people [ONS], with facilities management (FM) jobs accounting for around 3 million of this workforce [CIBSE Journal], so as well as being vital for the ongoing performance of the buildings we use and occupy, FM also plays a pivotal role in the UK’s economy. However, out of all the high-level roles in property, FM probably faces the most significant challenges in improving employment conditions and addressing social inequalities.

The Challenges

FM is a diverse profession: roles range from highly skilled operatives to blue collar workers, often with lower education and income levels. For example, while the average wage for FM professionals is £50,000 per year, and 44% with healthcare benefits [Macdonald & Company], cleaners, for example, earn an average of £20,670 annually (£10.06 per hour – considerably lower than the UK minimum and living wages) with only 3% receiving healthcare benefits [PayScale]. How can this be the case and what can we do to stop it?

Many lower-paid FM workers are employed in and around built-up areas where rising costs, such as public transport and living expenses, only serve to intensify inequality. Other challenges include lack of training [CIPD] and an increase in temporary contracts [REC and KPMG]

Let’s not forget there are also pressures on the FM companies and throughout the supply chains to meet modern slavery, sustainability and diversity goals.

Innovative Efforts to Address Employment Conditions

Forward-thinking organisations are addressing these issues by focusing on social value, well-being and engagement, themselves and with suppliers. Major property management teams are advocating ‘safe sick pay’; many of us are unaware that statutory sick pay is not available to all [Safe Sick Pay Campaign].

In addition, organisations like Social Enterprise UK connect property firms with bodies supporting marginalised groups, such as Hines’ partnership with Glasshouse, rehabilitating women in prison through horticulture. [Hines]

Other efforts include local recruitment to reduce travel costs, offering flexible upskilling opportunities (e.g., English lessons, management training), and exploring more sociable working hours for night-shift workers (such as cleaners working during the day instead).

Strategic Engagement

The investors and occupiers that often fund the extra time and cost associated with these initiatives need to understand and be engaged with the process too, and key to this is:

• Proactive Consultations:

  Property and asset managers should engage with investors to agree social value strategies, ensuring these are integrated at the fund level. However, we mustn’t forget that often these initiatives are paid for by the service charge, so education and communication with the occupiers is just as important.

• Educational Procurement:

  Some people just aren’t aware of the issues, and with increasing competition, firms failing to deliver social value risk being left behind in the marketplace. Including education early on in procurement for services means it is more likely to be baked into the service that clients should expect.

• Localised Social Value:

  Identifying initiatives and changes that can be made, which benefit local economies and employees, but also are scalable and impactful is a challenge. But getting people who are passionate about finding and implementing solutions will help to push through these changes.

• FM team collaboration

  None of the above will have the desired impact unless the strategies and commitment are shared with the respective FM companies commissioned to work on our properties.

Improving employment conditions in Facilities Management requires a collaborative and focussed effort involving suppliers, investors and occupiers. By prioritising social value, investing in training, and addressing income disparities, we can help to deliver the change required, and ultimately those of us who live and work in these buildings will benefit. But this will only have widespread impact if everyone is on board, and key to that is communication. As competition continues, those who lead the way will reap the benefits in an increasingly socially conscious marketplace.

Now that we all know this is the reality, we should encourage initiatives such as those listed above, and more, to bring an end to the inequalities within FM. This is not just a social imperative; it makes sound business sense that we employ people in such a way that they are motivated and able to deliver a quality service without personal hardship.

Data-Driven Decisions: The Rise of Data Jobs in UK Real Estate

The UK real estate industry is undergoing a digital transformation, driven by the increasing abundance and accessibility of data. This shift is leading to a surge in demand for data professionals, as property firms seek to leverage data insights to make informed decisions and gain a competitive edge.

The Data Revolution in Real Estate

Traditionally, real estate decisions were often based on intuition and experience. However, the proliferation of data sources, such as property listings, market trends, and active monitoring of buildings, has empowered industry players to adopt a more data-centric approach. By harnessing the power of data analytics, real estate firms can:

The Growing Demand for Data Professionals

Despite current economic constraints, we have seen a steady growth in the number of jobs within real estate in the UK. Below shows the number of thousands of people employed within real estate from June 1978 through to current day. Even when normalised to the total number of jobs within the UK, real estate has seen impressive growth.

This begs the question of what new roles are there within real estate, to facilitate such an increase in the number of jobs? Even though the number of buildings to buy, sell and maintain, has grown over the period, the total number of jobs generally would be expected to increase in line with the number of people within the UK. Therefore, the information above suggests that there are an increasing number of roles within the sector.

Anecdotally, it is clear why some of these real estate jobs have appeared, for example ESG specialists were unheard of in 1978, when the dataset shown above begins. But a large element contributing to the growth is the bolstering of data teams by the majority of corporates, supported by industry clients we have conferred with.

Some of the most sought-after data roles in real estate include:

The Future of Data in Real Estate

As the real estate industry continues to evolve, the demand for data professionals is expected to grow even further. Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will further enhance the capabilities of data-driven real estate and drive the expansion of data to collect, clean, maintain, move, analyse and delete.

From our own experience of helping clients with their data accuracy and migrating data across systems, we see how much data is estimated rather than verified (often in the region of 60% for ESG figures). We also see how little knowledge there is of data accuracy, which will likely be many data professionals’ first tasks – checking the quality of, and then improving, the data used within real estate. This is no small task, and we expect that these data roles will initially be assigned to ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the existing data, with the goal of driving better decision-making down the line.

To capitalise on this trend, real estate professionals should consider developing data skills or hiring data experts to help them navigate the increasingly complex data landscape. By embracing data-driven decision-making, real estate firms can unlock new opportunities, reduce risks, and achieve sustainable growth.

Unlocking efficiency: an interview with Cheronne Clark on transforming real estate collaboration

In 2024, Remit Consulting embarked on an exciting project in the Netherlands, focusing on the post-merger integration of Property, Asset, and Valuation Management processes. This initiative was for a Dutch asset manager, a relatively new company formed from the merger of the real estate investment departments of two large Dutch pension funds. Throughout 2024, property managers were selected and implemented, along with Valuation Management software.

As we move into 2025, our work continues with the implementation of a new asset management software product and the creation of a new property fund for one of the clients of this asset management company. Additionally, workplace automation has become a key focus of this project. In 2024, Remit assisted with optimising Microsoft tools to gain valuable insights into workplace management, a project that is extending into 2025.

Effective collaboration and document management are essential in the evolving landscape of real estate. Cheronne Clark, a change specialist and certified professional in Microsoft technologies, is currently leading the workplace management aspect of the project for Remit Consulting. We took the opportunity to talk to her and gain insights into her work, the challenges faced, and the transformative potential of Microsoft tools.

The role of a change specialist

Cheronne’s work with Remit as a change management specialist focuses on helping organisations adopt and optimise tools like Microsoft SharePoint or Teams, for example, effectively.

"My role includes analysing the technical setup, addressing functional challenges, and guiding employees to integrate these platforms into their daily workflows," she explains. This involves designing tailored training programmes, improving system configurations, and building sustainable change frameworks, such as ambassador programmes and e-learning initiatives, to ensure long-term success.

Current project at Remit Consulting: streamlining SharePoint for a Dutch institution

Cheronne and Remit are currently working together, to streamline the client’s SharePoint usage. The client implemented SharePoint to improve document management and collaboration. Many of our client’s staff had struggled to adapt to the new system, preferring older methods and systems that had functional limitations.

"My role involves analysing the current SharePoint configuration to identify and resolve technical and functional issues, such as challenges with document sharing," Cheronne notes. She also collaborates closely with departments to understand their workflows, introduce "quick wins" for immediate improvements, and deliver tailored training sessions to boost efficiency.

Differences between corporate markets and real estate

When asked about the differences between working with corporate clients from other sectors and those in real estate, Cheronne highlighted the unique challenges faced by the latter.

"Real estate businesses often deal with highly specific workflows involving the extensive documentation associated with property portfolios. They also, frequently, collaborate with external stakeholders. This requires a more customised approach to governance and system configuration," she explains.

Secure sharing and collaboration are critical for real estate clients, whereas corporate clients in other sectors often have more standardised workflows that focus on streamlining internal processes.

Tips for real estate professionals

Cheronne offers valuable advice for real estate professionals looking to optimise their use of Microsoft tools. "Using Teams is essential for ensuring seamless collaboration among stakeholders, both internally and externally. SharePoint is ideal for centralising property and compliance documentation, while Power BI can help visualise portfolio performance," she advises.

One key practice to avoid, she warns, is setting unique permissions for individual documents or folders within SharePoint, as this can lead to confusion and administrative burdens. Instead, adopting a structured permission model based on groups or roles ensures easier maintenance and scalability.

She also emphasises that MS Teams should not be used solely for chat but as a comprehensive collaboration tool. "Think of Teams as a house where you and your colleagues live. Everything you need for collaboration - documents, conversations, meetings - is in one place, just like all the rooms and amenities in a house. In contrast, using SharePoint alone is like navigating a vast library, where you must search for specific documents across multiple floors and shelves. Teams streamlines this by offering a unified, secure environment for all collaborative activities," she explains.

The potential of Copilot and AI

Cheronne is particularly enthusiastic about the potential of Copilot and AI in transforming real estate operations. "Copilot is an invaluable assistant for repetitive tasks, such as drafting documents, analysing large datasets, or generating actionable insights. Its integration with Excel for data analysis and its ability to suggest insights in Power BI are particularly exciting," she says.

However, she cautions that companies must ensure their document structures and labelling are properly organised before implementing Copilot. Without this, Copilot might produce results that overlook document sensitivity. For example, poorly managed document permissions could allow employees to access confidential HR records, which is clearly undesirable.

Ensuring long-term adoption

When it comes to change management, Remit recognises the importance of addressing business pain points and demonstrating the benefits of new approaches, a view shared wholeheartedly by Cheronne. "Once the business understands the rationale behind certain tasks or processes, adoption becomes much easier," she explains.

For instance, implementing a document labelling system can be framed as a safety measure that reduces the risk of cyberattacks. Cheronne cites a case where a Dutch organisation’s data was seized during a cyberattack, and a ransom was demanded - a situation that could have been mitigated with better document labelling and security protocols.

Ensuring the sustainable adoption of new tools and processes is another critical aspect of her role. "Ongoing support, access to knowledge through e-learning and intranets, regular updates, and maintaining a knowledge-sharing community is vital. Establishing an ambassador programme helps embed the tools into daily workflows, ensuring they remain relevant over time," she emphasises.

Conclusion

Cheronne’s work with Remit Consulting exemplifies the transformative potential of Microsoft tools in the real estate sector. By addressing functional challenges, providing tailored training, and leveraging the power of AI, she helps clients unlock new levels of efficiency and collaboration.

As real estate businesses navigate the challenges of the digital age, expert insights and strategies, like those shared by Cheronne, are crucial for achieving success and why we at Remit bring in the expertise as and when needed

Lorna's Logic: Only the lonely

No-one really talks very much about feeling lonely. I guess that is fairly obvious since often loneliness can be equated with being isolated from those around you. Yet it is possible to feel terribly alone even when in a group of lively people.

In the frantic run-up to Christmas, with a personal expectation of seeing family and friends, I started thinking about all the lonely people (yes, also humming Eleanor Rigby) and how this time of year, in particular, can exacerbate feelings of being alone and forgotten, whether or not that is the reality.

Hybrid working has been touted by many as the office worker’s nirvana, but for others, it has only intensified their isolation. What is the point of going into the office if those colleagues who are there are only in for meetings (not with you, of course) or, worse if no one else is there at all? Arguably, the longer the period you spend working remotely, the more the reluctance to leave your home increases. There are a few studies emerging which suggest remote working can have a negative impact on mental health (e.g. Samantha et al. 2020), including increased anxiety and psychosocial deterioration.

But back to the idea of being a lonely worker and how, really, this all boils down to feeling you belong and having friends/work colleagues you can banter with or even confide in. A ten-year-old study, way before Covid, found that a lack of a social connection at work even has a direct adverse effect on a company’s performance. The logic here is that feeling you belong, and are not isolated, makes all the difference between motivated enthusiasm and “how quickly will home-time come”.

Lonely people are not necessarily introverted, and even the most overtly outgoing colleagues can feel lonely. So, what is the point of my blog? Well, it’s this: Christmas and New Year are recognised as being all about friends and family. Even in these more enlightened times of speaking up on mental health issues, loneliness is still, ironically, kept to the lonely.

Those of us who can, should acknowledge others with a smile and a “hi”, just so they know that we know they are there and among friends. It might seem that I am trivialising it, but someone has to take the first step.

Lorna's Logic: Mowing the Lawn

I am borrowing unashamedly from the impressive Ronan Harrington with this title and metaphor, impressive not least because of his hair (which rivals mine in terms of wilfulness), but also because of his ability to introduce concepts of real value to we worker bees.

I had the benefit of listening to Ronan back in October, helping us understand how to achieve peak performance personally and within teams. The premise is that to work better, we need to switch off in a very definite way. The research he quoted lists nine “burnout risk factors” and that anyone evidencing three or more is in the danger zone. I won’t write them here as you are all capable of researching these yourselves (see also the external quiz link at the foot of this note), but most people I know easily rack up four or more…

(I can’t help but hum ‘Danger Zone’ whilst writing this; any of you Top Gun fans out there, will know many of us are on the highway to the danger zone).

So, back to the title. When we are assailed from all sides by emails, Teams meetings, calls, social media, chats, etc etc, the best we can do with our workload is akin to mowing the lawn, keeping the growth down but not particularly revelling in the exercise, nor even particularly committing to it mentally and certainly not being creative. We are surviving not thriving.

Our own research at Remit Consulting, into productivity, has confirmed the pretty obvious fact that more effort/time does not equal more productivity/benefit, and this is supported by others’ research indicating there is a tipping point, beyond which time and effort become inversely proportional to performance.

In a previous blog, I ranted about too many meetings (FOBIA) and, so far as I can tell, this remains the status quo. Come on guys, there is empirical evidence to support the benefit of periods of deep rest to renew not only yourself but your creative output. The philosophy of switching off is not a socks-and-sandals mantra, it’s real, it’s necessary, it’s the only way of putting the fire out.

Go have a cuppa and reboot.

Take the (external) quiz to assess your risk and get strategies to stay resilient: https://lnkd.in/eZ5iUHEk.

Creating AI Avatars for the property sector is easier than you think

Or “How to create deep fakes 101”

• by Andrew Waller

At the recent Realcomm CIO Forum (LINK) in London, there were several discussions and conversations about practical uses of AI within the property sector - from document analysis and predictive maintenance analysis to Chatbots and video Avatars.

Some of these uses are already common and more are being implemented with relative ease, but how easy is it to create AI Avatars of real people, and what could they be used for in our industry?

Avatar Antony

Recently, I and my good friend Antony Slumbers, who’s a futurist and a real estate digitalisation expert, decided to experiment with this technology using HeyGen – an AI video generator that allows you to create business videos with AI avatars of yourself, using voice-cloning and text-to-speech tools. We could have tried Synthesia but opted for HeyGen on this occasion.

The idea? To build a digital version of Antony to promote his online courses on mastering generative AI within real estate.

It turned out to be surprisingly simple and was akin to using any social media platform. We simply uploaded a 3–5-minute video of Antony recorded using a DSLR camera (which provided better separation between the avatar and the background).

The software then worked its magic, processing these inputs to produce an incredibly lifelike avatar. Antony’s digital doppelgänger was born!

The results are impressive (see below); the avatar looks and sounds remarkably like Antony (and check out the reflection in the window!).

However, those familiar with him might notice some discrepancies in body movements or sounds that reveal its AI nature. Importantly, we’re not trying to deceive anyone into thinking this is the real Antony; rather, it’s about utilising technology to enhance communication.

Setting everything up took about two hours and going forward, we’ll experiment with different backgrounds to keep things engaging. The big advantage? You don’t need a fresh shoot every time. Plus, Avatar Antony can instantly switch languages, making global communication a breeze.

The exciting part

What makes this avatar tech so powerful is how lifelike it is. We typed in any text, and Avatar Antony would say it straight back, with lip-syncing and natural movements. As mentioned above, HeyGen allows the avatars it creates to speak multiple languages – there are currently over 175 languages and dialects.

We tested it with a friendly native Swedish speaker, who kindly checked out the Swedish version of Antony, and it passed the test.

Imagine the possibilities. Real estate professionals connecting with international clients, breaking down language barriers. You could be explaining property details in Mandarin, Arabic, or French - all from your office in the UK.

Why this matters for real estate

Here’s how AI avatars could transform the industry:

1. Reaching international clients: Language is no longer a barrier.

2. Efficient training: Multilingual training materials can be created quickly.

3. Virtual property tours: Guided property tours that clients can access anytime, in any language.

4. Personalised marketing: Tailor-made messages for specific audiences.

5. Consistent branding: Consistent messaging across all platforms.

The Elephant in the Room: Deepfakes

We all know that AI like this raises concerns. Deepfakes are a real issue. An example of this was the unauthorised use of David Attenborough’s voice which was recently cloned in a fake audio track.

Because of this, at Remit Consulting, we’re advising clients to think about these risks and factor them into their digital plans. Thankfully, HeyGen has ethical safeguards: it only uses someone’s voice if they’ve given permission.

Looking forward

We’re not trying to fool anyone. The goal isn’t to trick people into thinking they’re dealing with the real Antony. It’s about using tech to communicate better and faster. As we keep experimenting, we’re excited to see where this could go.

In the future, maybe you’ll be closing deals with your own AI avatar. Just remember: if your digital double starts asking for a raise, it’s probably time to update your software!

Lorna's Logic: UnsustAInability

“It’s not a race, guys!”

For any film buffs who remember Scott Pilgrim, you will recall our unlikely hero had to fight his way past Ramona’s evil ex-boyfriends, taking on the world in effect. I am thinking that just now the world needs to fight back, and this time not against a computer nerd but the very computers themselves.

One minute we are all amped up about saving the planet and then – ooh look, shiny thing that will do all my boring work for me. What’s that? How much energy does it use to do that? Who cares, it’s soooo shiny.

There are various statistics out there about how much energy AI uses to answer a simple question. Ask AI how much electricity it uses and, disturbingly, the answer it gives takes around 10x the amount of energy that a simple internet search does, same answer, bigger impact.

Earlier this year, Microsoft announced its CO2 emissions had increased by nearly 30% over the last four years, primarily due to data centre expansion, and Google’s greenhouse gas emissions last year were almost 50% up over a similar period, again due to data centre growth.

The International Energy Agency is predicting that by just two years hence, data centres will be using twice the energy they did in 2022 which, for those of us who cannot visualise that, it is as much energy as the whole of Japan consumes today. The drive to create clean energy just cannot keep up with the exponential demand AI is causing.

I am not saying we should abandon AI (who would listen anyway), just perhaps try and keep it relevant. Do we need an AI image of our pet in a tutu or to write an email we are just too bone-lazy to think through ourselves. Ramona Flowers’ seven exes were an obvious allegory, but maybe AI is providing the temptation, far more insidiously, for mankind to fully embrace those sins.

Film quote bastardisation alert: “AI, if your life had a face I would punch it.”

A CIO, Data Analyst, and a Behavioural Scientist walked into a discussion about AI in Real Estate…

Exploring the transformative impact of AI on the property market: expert insights from RealComm’s London CIO Forum

October’s RealComm CIO Forum at CBRE’s London HQ gathered top minds from the property and PropTech sectors and the opening panel discussion “Implementing AI with Impact”, hosted by Remit Consulting’s Andrew Waller, brought together diverse insights from industry experts, to share practical advice, real-world challenges, and a healthy dose of optimism about what’s next.

Jenny Obee, Information & Digital Technology Director at Related Argent, focused on AI’s technological impact as a CIO; Jon Avery, Head of Analytics and Insight at LGIM, lent his data-driven perspective as an analyst; and Hilary Reynolds, UK & Ireland Head of Digital & Technology at CBRE, highlighted AI’s behavioural impacts on people and processes.

AI’s role in transforming the property market

The panel highlighted that while AI has been a staple in consumer tech for some time, it remains in its early stages in the property market. Jenny Obee noted familiar examples like Google Maps and Netflix, saying, "AI has been around for a while in B2C, but it’s the potential in B2B where we’re really going to see change."

From a behavioural perspective, Hilary Reynolds suggested that the biggest impact will come when AI moves “into the space of reasoning”—supporting complex decision-making beyond just data processing. Jon Avery’s data-focused view echoed this, noting that operational tasks which are “volume-based” could see huge efficiency gains from AI-driven automation.

High-impact areas for AI in the property market

Each panellist brought a unique angle on where AI can make a difference:

• Construction: Jenny saw construction as an AI hot spot, noting, "We’re already seeing around a third of PropTech solutions integrating AI to optimise building performance and reduce costs."

• Operations: Hilary discussed operations as a key area where AI could bring both efficiency and cultural change, freeing up staff to focus on higher-value work. Jon added that automation can support data-heavy, repetitive tasks, allowing staff to take on more strategic responsibilities.

• Energy Management: AI’s environmental impact was a big point of interest. Jenny anticipates that “AI’s role in managing energy will be one of the hot topics we’re discussing a year from now.”

Challenges in the adoption of AI

The panellists highlighted different challenges in implementing AI:

• Governance and Data Protection: Jon stressed the need for strong governance from the outset. “We need to think about governance from day one—protect data, prevent leaks, and ensure AI is adding value where we need it most.”

• Integrating AI in Workflows: Hilary discussed the broader challenge of integrating AI into workflows, especially in a traditionally tech-averse industry. She also raised a critical question: as the property sector works toward carbon neutrality, what are the energy demands of AI? The statistic that a ChatGPT query can use up to ten times more energy than a Google search sparked a discussion on managing AI’s environmental impact as adoption grows.

Strategic recommendations

Tailored strategies for property professionals interested in AI were offered by the panellists:

• Invest in training and development: Audience member, and subsequent panel member, Harri John of CBRE urged businesses to encourage curiosity and adaptability in employees. Hilary echoed this, emphasizing that upskilling can make AI integration smoother.

• Early stakeholder engagement: From the CIO’s perspective, Jenny stressed the value of involving all relevant parties in early AI conversations: “The more voices in the room, the better. You get broader perspectives and can address concerns before they become issues.”

• A robust governance framework: Jon’s advice for data-driven property managers? Avoid isolating AI within its own policy. Instead, embed it into existing governance structures for a smooth rollout.

Practical steps for implementing AI

In keeping with their unique perspectives, the panellists offered some practical tips:

• Start small with pilot projects: Jon recommended starting with limited applications to work through potential challenges before rolling out AI more broadly.

• Partner with technology experts: Hilary emphasized working with tech experts who understand both AI and the property market to ensure a sustainable, well-supported implementation.

• Continuous monitoring and adjustment: Jenny underscored the importance of monitoring AI’s impact to ensure it is delivering value, allowing for timely adjustments.

Audience insights and reactions

Audience questions sparked fresh perspectives on AI’s potential. One attendee asked whether the industry has the curiosity to explore AI’s potential fully. Hilary shared her concern, noting that the property sector is “still far behind” in technology adoption, not just with AI but in tech and data overall.

When the conversation shifted to tight profit margins, Jon suggested that AI could alleviate some financial pressure on property professionals. By driving operational efficiencies, AI could help companies operate more effectively within budget constraints.

What’s next?

Each panellist weighed in on AI’s likely evolution in the property market:

• Energy and Sustainability: Jenny anticipates that discussions a year from now will centre on AI’s impact on energy management and sustainability.

• Learning from Failures: Hilary expects the industry to take a more honest look at AI’s shortcomings to refine future best practices.

• Increased Focus on Compliance: Jon foresees greater attention on risk and compliance as AI adoption continues and regulatory frameworks expand.

Conclusion

The RealComm session highlighted how AI can impact the property market but underscored the need for a strategic approach. With perspectives from a CIO, a data analyst, and a behavioural expert, the panellists provided a well-rounded look at AI’s opportunities and challenges.

For property professionals, AI adoption doesn’t have to be daunting. Starting small, embedding AI into governance structures, and fostering open dialogue will pave the way for an AI-enabled future.

For further information, please visit www.realcomm.com.

Deepfakes – friend or foe?

Deepfakes are all over the news lately – whether it’s music artists being imitated against their wishes, a headteacher being wrongly accused of having racist views in a multicultural school, or a Prime Minster going through the courts to fight deepfake porn depicting her.

It’s pretty much all negative, and with good reason: deepfakes can cause real damage to people and property.

Many of the leading thinkers would like to see deepfakes banned, or at least serious and effective regulation and control in place over their use. But getting regulation through is slow, and getting the companies investing in AI to self-regulate is going to result in conflicts of interest at the very least.

Prior to writing this, I hadn’t come across a single positive article about or application for deepfakes, or ‘synthetic media’. So, I asked around and there are some thought leaders trying to piece together possible applications:

• Education and training - learning could be made more engaging if you could have a conversation with Malcolm X about his motives for change, or if Michael Gove could explain how the changes to Building Safety Bill affect your portfolio (...probably not for everyone, but you get the gist!). Personally, I'd love to be able to choose who voices the audiobook I'm listening to at any given time.

• Customer service - an artificial concierge can consistently handle visitor interactions and queries, using detailed information about expected visitor and host preferences, to ensure a seamless experience.

• Virtual tours - imagine virtual open houses where potential buyers can take immersive tours, guided by lifelike avatars of agents, who can answer questions in real time.

But this doesn’t negate any of the issues. How would Michael Gove feel, knowing likeness was out there, saying things outside his control? Or what happens if an artificial concierge gets hacked and lets anyone into a top security building? And how can you trust what you are buying if other aspects of the sales process are artificial?

Transparency will be key; for example, disclosing when synthetic media is being used can help maintain trust with clients.

Additionally, industry bodies should work with the sector to establish standards that ensure deepfake technology is used responsibly and that the rights of people and companies are protected.

A world in which deepfakes can be successfully integrated whilst leaving music artists, headteachers and Prime Ministers unscathed, is our hope.

But there is work to be done yet!

Five things you may not have realised about ESG software

Navigating the ESG software landscape in real estate

As environmental pressures grow, the real estate sector faces increasing demands to adopt sustainable practices. With up to 40% of global carbon emissions coming from buildings, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) solutions are becoming critical tools for reducing the industry's environmental footprint while meeting investor expectations and regulatory demands. However, navigating the rapidly expanding landscape of ESG software can be overwhelming.

Remit Consulting’s Dutch office has analysed the market and uncovered five surprising insights about ESG software that every real estate company should know:

It's not just about energy: Many associate ESG solutions solely with energy efficiency, but these platforms often address broader environmental concerns, including waste management and water use. This expands the scope of ESG software beyond just energy reduction, allowing real estate firms to manage a wider array of sustainability goals.

Social and Governance often fly under the radar: While environmental metrics dominate ESG reporting, the social and governance aspects are becoming more important [Article 6 – Respond]. Tools that track tenant well-being or corporate governance can enhance a company’s sustainability efforts, though they are less developed than environmental-focused solutions.

Data quality is critical: In the world of ESG, data is everything. Poor-quality and incomplete (often estimated) data can lead to faulty insights. To combat this, many ESG platforms are adopting "data-agnostic" approaches, integrating data from multiple systems with the aim of having complete and auditable data sets [Article 5 – Respond] to help ensure that key decisions are made using accurate and reliable information.

ESG-specific solutions offer tailored insights: Specialised ESG platforms provide deep insights, particularly for energy management and sustainability strategies. However, they often require bespoke implementation efforts, including consultancy services. For companies looking to fine-tune their sustainability strategy, these solutions can offer unmatched value.

Established platforms are catching up: Traditional real estate software providers are increasingly integrating ESG functionalities, often through acquisitions. This means that companies can now manage their core real estate operations alongside their ESG metrics in one unified system, without overhauling their existing platforms.

Conclusion

With ESG becoming a priority, it’s crucial for real estate companies to choose the right software solutions to support their sustainability goals. Whether focusing on data management, compliance, or energy efficiency, the right tools can make a significant difference.

To assist you on your ESG Software journey, we have produced six separate articles on the subject. Follow the link to access the documents: ESG Research.

High Voltage: switching from AC to DC power

When looking at pathways to net-zero, you have your classic strategies: better insulation, installing solar panels on roofs, LED lighting and smart sensors to better optimise light and indoor environments. But when did you last discuss the TYPE of electricity in the building, or did that conversation get Shot Down in Flames? This year’s Realcomm was Thunderstruck with the idea, where examples of buildings that had switched to a DC power supply were boasting up to 20% reduction in electricity usage.   

Angus Young or Brian Johnson, Tesla or Edison: Why are AC and DC different and why do we use AC? 

AC, or alternating current, was pioneered by Nikola Tesla (an Austro-Hungarian who moved to the US in 1884), whereas DC (direct current) was championed by Thomas Edison, the US inventor famed for the invention of the first filament lightbulb. There was a brief “War of the Currents” between the two, but eventually, Moneytalks and AC won out as it was considerably cheaper to transmit over long distances due to the ability to easily transform. As a result, AC became standard across the globe. 

Switching sounds like a Highway to Hell, but is it actually a Road to Net Zero? 

So why are we now talking about having buildings run on DC, if the mains all use AC?  

At small distances, DC is actually more efficient – changing direction is hard work for the little electrons! But it has more to do with new technologies and requirements of buildings. The new power-saving LEDs that light your office all require a DC power supply. Your laptop you’re reading this on? It has an adapter on the charger to change the voltage from AC to DC. In fact, anything with a battery requires DC current.

The converse is true too; to store excess energy in batteries, the current needs to be DC, and the current coming from batteries is DC. Every time you convert from AC to DC (or vice versa), you lose some energy. So, every phone charger, every LED, the air conditioning unit, and particularly the increasing demand for electric vehicles that need charging, requires a transformer that loses energy. 

Also, solar panels that often sit on the rooftops of large buildings produce a DC power supply (unlike traditional electricity-generating methods), so would be able to power the building directly or store its energy into a building battery without the need for conversion.  

All these efficiency savings have the potential to be substantial; 20% off a yearly £500,000 electricity bill (reasonable for a large office building) is an “easy” £100,000 saved. Not only that, but battery-powered buildings allow for a building to buy electricity at cheaper rates overnight to then power the building through the day. Reducing operational costs is a challenge for all property managers and therefore should be on all their radars.  

It's a Long Way to the Top (if you want a building powered by DC) 

However, adopting DC is not without its issues. There have been many stories in the press about lithium-ion batteries exploding and causing fires in electric bikes and vehicles, but there are other issues. 

Currently, DC systems are not Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, and have a higher installation cost due to the requirement for more specialised equipment and increased complexity. It also requires a decent amount of space and the ability to withstand some heavy apparatus within the building to convert enough incoming power in one place to power the whole building. Furthermore, as it’s only just being adopted, DC supply chains are not well established, leading to significant lead times (up to 12 months) – problematic for property managers and tenants. 

Most importantly, it’s only relatively recently that it’s become an energy-saving adoption. At the time of writing this, there are only a handful of buildings in the UK trialling DC supplies, and the guidelines from the Institute of Engineering and Technology are unclear, although we are hoping for that to change in the next edition of the guidelines.  

Fire regulations surrounding batteries are also still developing, so adopters need to keep a Stiff Upper Lip. Without knowing what the regulations will be, many are hesitant to spend money on something they may have to change in two years’ time.  

Is it a T.N.T (Totally Necessary Transition)? 

Making the switch is a big decision, and currently, it may only be worth it for larger offices and other buildings that require mainly DC power. Unfortunately, regulations are currently not up to speed, causing uncertainty among building stakeholders meaning adoption has been slow. But there are cases of it working. In the Netherlands, ABN-Amro, the private bank, has successfully implemented such a system. It’s something to be aware of, as it is likely to be retrofitted and implemented in lots of buildings in the near future.

So, Are You Ready?