Estate agents across the UK are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence as workloads grow and regulatory demands intensify, according to new research from Alto.

The Alto 2026 Agency Trends Report found that 52% of estate and letting agents plan to adopt AI tools for listings, lead generation and marketing within the next 12 months. A further 66% expect to rely on compliance and anti-money laundering (AML) automation to keep pace with regulation.

The report is based on a survey of 250 estate and letting professionals and highlights a growing divide within the sector. While adoption plans are widespread, around one-third of agents describe themselves as nervous or unsure about using AI in their businesses.

Respondents cited increasing compliance requirements, expanding workloads and administrative pressure as the main drivers behind automation. Many believe AI tools could help reduce errors, streamline processes and free up time to focus on client-facing work rather than paperwork.

Larger agencies are most active, with almost nine in ten planning to adopt AI tools in 2026. Smaller independent firms, meanwhile, are less likely at this stage to adopt this strategy.

Riccardo Iannucci-Dawson, CEO of Alto, said: “AI isn’t the future of estate agency; it’s already here.

“Agents are drowning in compliance checks, data entry and repetitive tasks, and that pressure is driving burnout. What’s changed is that AI is no longer just a chatbot or a reporting tool. It’s starting to decide what needs attention, help agents complete tasks faster, and quietly coordinate the hundreds of steps involved in getting a deal over the line. AI is finally taking weight off their shoulders by automating the dull work, flagging risks earlier and keeping deals moving without constant firefighting.”

Despite the momentum, uncertainty remains. A third of agents describe themselves as ‘nervous’ or ‘unsure’ about implementing AI, with hesitation most common among independent agencies – the very firms that could benefit most from time-saving automation.

Iannucci-Dawson added: “The real shift we’re seeing is that AI is starting to manage work, not just data. It can spot what matters, guide agents through complex tasks, and keep processes moving automatically in the background.

“This is a turning point for the industry. Agencies using AI won’t just work faster; they’ll deliver a better experience for buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants.”