In this episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield welcomes Nick Lyons, founder of No Letting Go and Kaptur Software, to dive deep into the evolution of the inventory sector—and how technology, AI, and data are reshaping it for agents, landlords, and property managers across the UK.

🚀 From early dictaphones and manually edited Word docs to a national franchise network processing 10,000 reports a month and a platform producing 300,000+ compliance inspections annually, Nick shares how he turned a scrappy startup into the UK’s largest inventory provider—all built on three core values: reliability, accountability, and consistency.

💡 You’ll hear:

• How Nick’s early obsession with operational excellence built a franchise model that delivers local expertise at national scale.
• Why No Letting Go and Kaptur are more than just inventory tools—they’re risk mitigation and compliance allies for agents, landlords, and institutional operators.
• The reality of trying to build an inventory business with actors as clerks (spoiler: it didn’t go to plan).
• The importance of seamless data transfer and how the Connect product allows agents to dynamically blend internal and external resourcing based on seasonality and business needs.

🔄 But this isn’t just about the past. Kristjan and Nick dig into the tech future of our industry:

• The complete rebuild of Kaptur and how it now integrates fully with The Depositary and Reapit Foundations—creating an end-to-end, circular ecosystem from tenancy start to final refund.
• How AI is powering next-gen features—from auto-curating checkout dilapidations to auto-generating negotiation proposals and even benchmarking team performance with voice-activated insights.
• The future of data: why it’s not just about insights for your agency, but about protecting clients, identifying risk early, and making smarter, faster decisions.

💥 Expect actionable insights, witty asides, and powerful reasons to review how your agency handles the “final third” of the tenancy journey. Whether you outsource or do it in-house, the message is clear: if you're still manually processing reports, extracting meter readings, or wasting hours negotiating deductions, you're leaking time and risking compliance.

🎯 Who should listen?

• Agents fed up with clunky, manual workflows
• Ops leaders juggling seasonal staff pressure
• Landlords (especially portfolio and institutional) demanding real-time data and transparency
• Forward-thinking agencies ready to scale efficiently without sacrificing service

It’s tech-meets-operations-meets-real-agent-life, all wrapped in a frank and funny chat between two industry veterans who’ve seen it all—and then built the platforms to fix it.

📦 Bonus? Get the lowdown on upcoming AI tools from The Depositary that will transform how you negotiate with tenants, streamline disputes, and slash admin time from 60 hours per month to 6.

This episode is your blueprint for automating the complex, freeing up your team, and future-proofing your lettings business.

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Hold onto your helmets, Vikings — in this latest voyage across the turbulent seas of property, technology and business, Kristjan Byfield welcomes a true industry legend (or should we say lovable rogue?): Simon Whale, known for his time at Reapit, his antics with Kerfuffle, and for generally causing "productive chaos" in the world of PropTech and estate agency.

In this epic chat, Kristjan and Simon dive deep into the fast-evolving landscape of property technology and what it really means for modern estate and letting agents. No corporate spin here — just honest, practical insight (and plenty of laughs) from two people who have seen the good, the bad, and the occasionally ridiculous side of agency tech.

Together, they explore:

• How "PropTech fatigue" crept into the industry — and why it’s finally turning into real, usable solutions.
• The evolution of the agent’s role: why technology should be your crew not your captain.
• The harsh truth about CRM systems, integrations, and why agencies must demand more from their suppliers.
• Why COVID was a brutal but necessary accelerator for technological change in agency operations.
• How AI is reshaping agency life — from marketing and lead gen to operational workflows — and why ignoring it could sink your business faster than you think.
• The myth of "people buy from people" — and why that phrase, while still true, needs a serious 2025 upgrade.
• Why customer experience (for clients and your staff) must now sit at the heart of agency business models.
• How small, independent agencies can (and should) outmaneuver the big corporates by being faster, smarter, and more adaptive with tech.

Simon also shares his candid (and very funny) stories about building Kerfuffle, life after selling Reapit, and why he believes the future of PropTech must focus less on flashy features and more on actual business outcomes.

In classic Viking Chats fashion, the conversation is unfiltered, irreverent and packed full of golden nuggets — whether you're a small indie agent, a growing network, or a corporate giant, you'll leave with fresh ideas (and maybe a few uncomfortable truths) about how you need to adapt your business for the years ahead.

Plus:

• Why building tech with agents, not for agents, is the only way forward.
• The importance of "getting your ship in order" before adopting new tech.
• How to turn grumpy customers and hesitant staff into your strongest advocates.
• Why many agencies fail at onboarding new systems — and the simple fixes that could save you thousands.
• A peek into the weird and wonderful world of early-stage PropTech innovation — and the dangers of buying into the hype too soon.

If you're serious about building a future-proof, profitable, and enjoyable business, this episode is your compass.
Whether you’re sailing calm waters or battling 10-foot waves, Kristjan and Simon give you the map, the mindset, and a few battle scars to help you chart your next move.

Set sail with us — this is one journey you don't want to miss.
⚓🎙️

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Are you stuck in a loop of “free valuations”, “stunning homes”, and “professional photography”? Do your marketing materials look suspiciously like your competitors’? Then buckle up, because this episode of Viking Chat might just blow the doors off your agency's entire approach to branding.

This week, Kristjan Byfield – industry troublemaker and Base Property founder – is joined by the ever-creative Tom Durrant, CEO of DCTR (formerly known as Dr. Photo). What starts as a friendly chat about creativity quickly becomes a full-throttle, no-holds-barred deep dive into why most estate agency branding is flat, forgettable, and dangerously dull—and, more importantly, how to fix it.

🔥 Key discussion points include:

• Why “blending in” is killing your margins – and your soul.
• The problem with industry homogenisation (and how to escape the sea of sameness).
• How Hat and Home, Marsh & Parsons, and Location Location are absolutely nailing branding through distinct stories and visual identities.
• Why focusing on “free valuations” and “floorplans” reduces your value proposition to price alone.
• The emotional power of storytelling and why it beats features and stats every time.
• What Snickers, Nike, and Yves Klein’s blue pee have to teach us about estate agency marketing (yes, really).

💡 “Creativity is not optional. It’s your only chance to stand out in a world where AI, templates, and tech have levelled the playing field.” – Tom Durrant

Tom shares how DCTR evolved from photo retouching and AI-driven visual enhancements to a full-blown creative agency helping property brands build bold, compelling identities. He lays out a simple but powerful framework for creativity: Originality, Emotional Engagement, and Quality Execution.

And Kristjan? He delivers some classic Viking truths. Like the tale of an agent who watched his fees plummet by a third—simply because he couldn’t articulate a single reason why a vendor should choose him over three nearly identical competitors. Ouch.

But this isn’t just about getting listings or raising fees. This episode dives into something much deeper: How to build an agency that people want to work for, buy from, and talk about.

“If your brand story is authentic, your people will live and breathe it. If it's generic, they’ll just quote floorplans and hope for the best.” – Kristjan Byfield

Expect laughs, revelations, and the occasional rant (in true Viking Chat fashion). Whether you're a high street stalwart or a startup indie with big dreams, this episode is a creative reset button for your brand.

✨ BONUS TIPS:

• What to ask your kids to discover your brand’s real purpose.
• How to steal inspiration (the right way) from brands outside property.
• Why your next hire might be a storyteller, not a negotiator.

🔗 Want more?
Tom name-drops the unmissable white paper “The Extraordinary Cost of Dull” from System1, which proves—through 60,000 ad campaigns—that bland brands bleed money. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

So… ready to stand out, speak up, and finally tell a story that matters?

Hit play. Then hit reset

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In this powerhouse episode of Viking Chat, industry trailblazer Kristjan Byfield sits down with Tim Frome, legal and compliance heavyweight from Hamilton Fraser, for a deep dive into the ever-evolving landscape of the private rented sector (PRS). Buckle up for a fast-paced, insight-rich ride through the trends, tensions, and tectonic shifts affecting agents, landlords, and tenants alike.

Tim unpacks Hamilton Fraser’s 2024 annual report—a digital-first, data-driven, interactive document that’s setting new standards for how compliance can be communicated. From the increasing importance of alternative deposits to the dramatic rise in complaints (up 20% year-on-year and 44% over two years), this chat doesn’t shy away from the sector’s growing pains. But the headlines aren’t just alarm bells—they’re rich with opportunity and lessons for the proactive agent.

⚖️ Key Talking Points Include:

• The true drivers behind the 68.5% of agents worried about Section 21 abolishment—and why Kristjan thinks it might be the least significant part of the Renters Reform Bill.
• The alarming 15% of agents unaware of the Renters Reform Bill’s contents and the urgent call to action for industry professionals to educate themselves before change hits.
• An insider look at the surge in sourcing-related complaints, where “property experts” promise riches but deliver disputes.
• The communication crisis: Why poor documentation and broken information chains—not just bad service—lie at the heart of many complaints.

💥 Firecracker Stats from the Report:

• Over 19,000 individual agents now registered with Hamilton Fraser’s schemes, including CMP, MyDeposits, and PRS.
• Expelled agent numbers up 40%, but it’s not all doom—context is everything.
• Just 2.4% of tenants are using deposit alternatives, despite affordability challenges being cited by 30% of renters.
• Nearly 33% of surveyed tenants consider Section 21’s removal the most important part of the bill—a stat Kristjan challenges head-on with nuance and realism.

🤝 Why You Should Listen: This episode is more than a data dump. It’s a passionate, pragmatic exploration of what’s changing and how agents and landlords can adapt with purpose. Kristjan and Tim don’t just talk compliance—they talk strategy. Expect honest reflections, industry anecdotes, myth-busting insights, and even a chuckle over MPs claiming "pet rent" on expenses.

Whether you’re a seasoned letting agent, a landlord trying to navigate reform, or a newcomer seeking clarity in chaos, this episode delivers the clarity, caution, and calls to action you didn’t know you needed.

🔗 Pro Tip: Stick around to the end for sharp soundbites on rent review tribunals, indefinite tenancies, and how AI is about to change tenant awareness forever. Plus, get Kristjan’s no-nonsense advice on the tenant-landlord relationship in a post-reform PRS.

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In this engaging episode of The Viking Chats, Kristjan Byfield—co-founder of The Depositary and self-proclaimed industry innovator—sits down with the brilliant Vicky Bibiris, Managing Director at award-winning agency Location Location, to explore one of the most underappreciated yet transformative elements of running a successful agency: process.

Let’s face it—“process” doesn’t always sound exciting. But as Kristjan and Vicky reveal in this thought-provoking conversation, getting your processes right is the bedrock of consistent, scalable, and exceptional service in the property sector.

🧩 Why Process Matters
Vicky passionately unpacks why having clearly defined, well-documented processes is non-negotiable in today’s competitive market. From onboarding landlords and progressing tenancies, to handling viewings and managing maintenance, the agency's success hinges on replicable, trackable systems. It’s not about robots—it’s about delivering a reliable, high-quality experience for every single client, every single time.

📏 From Instinct to Insight
Kristjan and Vicky discuss how strong processes enable data-driven decisions. Once your workflows are mapped and measured, you can identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, or gaps—and improve them. It’s about evolving your agency from relying on gut instinct to building on measurable insights.

👩‍💼 Culture, Accountability & Empowerment
Process isn't just about operations—it’s about people. Vicky shares how empowering her team with clear processes creates a culture of accountability, ownership, and confidence. Staff know what’s expected, how to deliver it, and where they can go above and beyond. That clarity reduces stress, boosts morale, and supports professional development across the board.

🛠️ Tech as a Process Partner
Naturally, technology plays a starring role in this conversation. The duo explore how PropTech can underpin and streamline processes—without stripping away the human touch. It’s not about doing less; it’s about doing more of what matters. Automating the admin frees agents to focus on relationships, results, and reputation.

🌟 Why This Episode is a Must-Listen
Whether you're a seasoned agency leader, a start-up entrepreneur, or part of a growing lettings or sales team, this episode is packed with practical insights and “aha” moments. Vicky’s clear-eyed approach to operational excellence will inspire you to look at your own agency processes not as a chore—but as your biggest opportunity.

👂 Tune in now to hear how one of London’s most respected agents built a reputation for five-star service, not by doing everything—but by doing the right things, the right way, every time.

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In this powerful first episode of our new conversation series, Kristjan Byfield—co-founder of The Depositary & base property specilaists—sits down with Sian Metcalfe, Operations Director at Inventory Base, to unpack a fascinating and timely question: Can property technology (PropTech) actually help estate agents become more human?

Too often, PropTech is dismissed as cold or impersonal—seen as a digital wedge between agents and their clients. But what if the opposite were true?

💡 Reframing PropTech
Sian flips the script on the traditional narrative, arguing that PropTech isn’t about replacing people—it’s about freeing them. When tech takes care of the repetitive, time-consuming admin (like chasing paperwork or managing maintenance tickets), agents can focus on what really matters: empathy, connection, and delivering truly personal service.

👥 From Transactions to Relationships
The episode explores how the lettings and estate agency world can shift its mindset—from one focused purely on process, to one built around relationships. Signing a tenancy agreement or completing a sale shouldn’t be the end of the journey—it should be the start of a lasting, trust-based relationship. Kristjan and Sian discuss how tech can create space for deeper human moments throughout the property lifecycle.

🏡 Rethinking the High Street Agency
With online platforms dominating property searches, is the traditional agency storefront still relevant? Sian suggests bold new ideas—like transforming agencies into inviting, experience-led spaces that foster community and trust. Imagine dropping into your local agent for a coffee and a chat, not just to sign a form.

🤖 Tech as an Enabler, Not a Threat
Far from being a job stealer, AI and automation are reframed as tools that empower agents. The more tech can streamline operations behind the scenes, the more time agents have to do what humans do best—listen, advise, empathize, and connect.

🔥 Why This Episode Matters
This conversation is essential listening for anyone in the property world looking to reimagine their role in a rapidly evolving industry. Whether you're an agent, a tech provider, or simply curious about the future of property, this episode offers a fresh, hopeful perspective on how we can make real estate more personal, not less.

Tune in for an honest, inspiring, and forward-thinking discussion about how PropTech can unlock the most human version of agency work.

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