Letting agents spend hours on every property managing gas safety certificate renewals and updating records in their property management software.
Across a portfolio of hundreds of properties, the cumulative admin burden is enormous, the compliance risk is real, and the margin for error is zero. Just one mistake can mean a fine of up to £7,000.
AutoCert, a new AI agent built by Aguru and integrated natively into Alto’s lettings CRM, launches today to take that work off your plate. Find out more here.
It automates the complete gas safety certificate renewal process end-to-end, from detecting upcoming expiry dates to uploading validated certificates and resetting renewal dates. It does it all without requiring a new tool, a workflow change or additional headcount.
What is AutoCert? The first AI agent built into lettings CRM
AutoCert is an AI agent that automates gas safety certificate renewals for letting agents, running natively inside Alto estate agency software. It works through every step of the renewal on its own and only flags the exceptions that need a property manager to step in.
Early pilot results have shown that AutoCert reduces the time agents spend per certificate renewal to just 5 minutes. That’s an 80% reduction in admin time per renewal.
“AutoCert has already delivered more value than we expected. It saves us hours on renewals, gives us peace of mind during peak periods, and allows us to grow without increasing headcount.” – Sam Whitehead, Operations Manager, The Accommodation Bureau
Why gas safety renewals are a compliance risk for letting agents
Gas safety certificates are a legal requirement for every rented property in the UK with gas appliances, renewable every 12 months under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998.
Letting agents who manage properties on behalf of landlords are legally responsible for ensuring those checks happen and that valid certificates are issued to tenants within 28 days of each inspection.
The compliance environment has never been more demanding. Complaints against letting agents rose 47% in 2025, reaching 4,220 cases: a 77% rise since 2023, according to the Property Redress Scheme’s 2025 annual report. Poor management service, maintenance failures, and missing documentation were among the leading causes.
Meanwhile, 49% of property businesses report spending too much on compliance costs, and 40% cite skills shortages as a major operational challenge, according to research published by Estate Agent Today.
For letting agents managing properties on behalf of landlords, coordinating those renewals involves a long chain of repetitive, high-stakes steps:
- Notifying landlords and tenants ahead of the expiry date
- Instructing a preferred gas safety supplier
- Tracking the inspection date and chasing if it slips
- Receiving and validating the supplier invoice
- Raising the charge against the property
- Receiving and legally validating the completed certificate
- Distributing the certificate to landlord and tenant
- Uploading the certificate to their property management software and resetting the renewal date
For fully managed properties, the agent is responsible for the entire chain. For let only properties, the landlord arranges the certificate but agents still need to chase, receive, validate, and record it. Under HSE guidance, if a managing agent is used, the management contract must clearly specify who is responsible for carrying out checks, and the agent must be able to demonstrate compliance.
Alto’s lettings progression tools already help agencies track and manage this workflow. AutoCert takes the next step by automating the actions, not just the tracking.
How does AutoCert handle gas safety renewals for letting agents?
AutoCert monitors all properties in Alto for upcoming certificate expiry dates. When a gas safety certificate is due within 30 days, the AI agent kicks off the renewal workflow automatically.
For fully managed properties
AutoCert handles everything from detection to completion:
- Detects upcoming certificate expiry via Alto’s reminder settings, no manual trigger needed
- Creates a renewal event in Alto automatically
- Notifies the landlord and the property manager by email
- Notifies all tenants at the property
- Creates a work order in Alto
- Instructs the preferred gas safety supplier by email
- Tracks the inspection date; sends a reminder to the supplier 1 day after inspection if no invoice received
- Receives the supplier invoice by email and extracts charge, VAT, and invoice number automatically
- Raises the charge as a maintenance expense in Alto
- Receives the completed gas safety certificate by email
- Validates the certificate against all nine mandatory legal requirements
- Sends the certificate to the tenant and landlord
- Uploads the certificate to Alto and resets the renewal date
- Marks the work order and event as complete in Alto
For let only properties
- Notifies the landlord that renewal is required
- Waits to receive the completed certificate from the landlord
- Validates the certificate against the nine mandatory legal checks
- Sends the certificate to the tenant
- Uploads to Alto and resets the renewal date
At every stage, Alto remains the single source of truth. All work orders, charges, certificates, and communications are logged and visible via Alto’s property management dashboard in real time.
AutoCert vs standard property management software
Most estate agency CRM and property management software platforms include reminder functionality. They flag upcoming renewals and prompt property managers to take action. AutoCert goes further: it does it for you.
| Capability | Standard estate agent software | AutoCert + Alto |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate expiry reminders | ✅ | ✅ |
| Automatic supplier instruction | ❌ | ✅ |
| Invoice receipt & charge processing | ❌ | ✅ |
| Legal certificate validation (9 checks) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Automatic CRM record update | ❌ | ✅ |
| Certificate sent to landlord & tenant | ❌ | ✅ |
| Property manager action required | Every step | Exceptions only |
| Time per renewal | Hours | 5 minutes |
This distinction matters because property certification is one of the most common sources of compliance failure in the lettings industry.
Goodlord’s State of the Lettings Industry Report 2025 found that agents are being asked to do significantly more with the same (or fewer) resources as compliance obligations compound year on year. The volume of manual steps in a standard renewal creates the conditions for things to be missed.
What automated compliance means for letting agencies
The lettings industry has long relied on property managers to carry out repetitive, legally required compliance tasks manually. AutoCert is the first AI agent built natively into estate agency software that takes on this work in full.
The productivity case:
- 80% less admin per gas safety renewal (30 minutes → 5 minutes)
- Zero missed renewals when properties are correctly configured in Alto
- Automatic legal validation against all nine statutory certificate requirements (Gas Safety Regulations 1998)
- Scalable capacity to handle more renewals without hiring more property managers
Alto’s analytics and reporting tools already give agencies visibility over portfolio performance. AutoCert adds the layer that acts on that data automatically, keeping compliance current without manual intervention at every step.
AutoCert and the future of AI in letting agent software
AutoCert is one of the earliest examples of an AI agent built directly into estate agent CRM software. But gas safety is just the starting point.
The underlying capability – an AI that monitors property data, triggers communications, processes documents, validates compliance and updates records – will be directly applicable to a wider range of lettings workflows:
- Electrical safety certificate (EICR) renewals
- EPC renewal tracking
- Tenancy renewal coordination
- Rent arrears workflows
This is the direction that Alto Intelligence is moving: AI that doesn’t just surface information but acts on it. Alto’s prospecting tools and applicant matching already demonstrate this philosophy across the front end of the business. AutoCert brings the same intelligence to the operational and compliance side.
If you’re evaluating estate agency software or considering a CRM migration, check whether a platform can run AI agents on your live property data. This is fast becoming a top priority for agents that want software that handles the job today, and is built to support automation at scale.
Frequently asked questions about AutoCert
What property management software does AutoCert work with?
AutoCert works exclusively within Alto, the leading estate agency software and lettings CRM platform in the UK. It runs natively inside Alto and does not require a separate tool, additional login or changes to existing workflows.
Does AutoCert work for let only as well as fully managed properties?
Yes. AutoCert supports both property types. For fully managed properties, it instructs the preferred supplier and manages the complete workflow. For let only properties, it notifies the landlord and processes the certificate once received. AutoCert reads the property status in Alto to determine which workflow to apply.
What certificates does AutoCert currently cover?
AutoCert currently automates gas safety certificate renewals. Electrical safety certificates (EICRs) and other property certification types are on the product roadmap.
What happens if a gas safety certificate fails its inspection?
AutoCert validates every certificate against the nine legally required checks. If the certificate has a failed status, or if any mandatory details are missing, AutoCert escalates to the property manager by email and waits for the issue to be resolved before proceeding.
Does AutoCert replace property managers?
No. AutoCert removes repetitive, rules-based steps from the property manager’s workload – it does not replace human judgement. When something goes wrong (a supplier doesn’t respond, a certificate fails, key data is missing), AutoCert escalates to the property manager. The goal is to automate everything automatable and only involve a human when a real decision is required.
How does AutoCert handle gas safety invoice processing?
AutoCert receives supplier invoices by email and scans them to extract the charge, VAT amount, and invoice number. The charge is added to the property in Alto as a maintenance expense and raised automatically. If the invoice data cannot be extracted, the system escalates to the property manager.
What needs to be configured in Alto before AutoCert can run?
Properties need the following correctly set up in Alto: a designated property manager contact with a valid email address; correct landlord contact details; at least one tenant with a valid email; a preferred gas safety supplier with a valid email (for managed properties); and the correct gas safety renewal date recorded on the property.
Will AutoCert work if a landlord prefers to arrange gas safety themselves?
Yes. AutoCert reads notes on the property in Alto. If it identifies a note indicating the landlord manages their own gas safety certificates, it treats the property as let only for renewal purposes. It notifies the landlord and waits to receive the completed certificate, rather than instructing a supplier.
Alto vs Reapit vs Street: how do they compare on automated certificate compliance?
AutoCert is not just a standalone tool – it represents a fundamental difference in how Alto approaches compliance compared to the rest of the market.
When letting agents evaluate estate agency software, certificate automation is rarely the headline feature in a sales pitch. But for any agency managing more than 50 properties, it is one of the highest-risk operational workflows in the business.
The legal stakes are severe. Missing or failing to provide a gas safety certificate is a criminal offence under the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. Local councils can issue civil penalties of up to £40,000 for serious or repeat non-compliance under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, or pursue unlimited fines through criminal prosecution. Even initial or minor non-compliance carries a civil penalty of up to £7,000.
HSE guidance is explicit: non-compliance “puts lives at risk and breaks the law” and can result in a substantial fine or a custodial sentence. At scale, the stakes are not administrative – they are financial and legal.
According to Alto’s own CRM comparison for 2026, here is how the three main estate agency CRM platforms stack up on certificate compliance and related automation:
| Compliance capability | Alto + AutoCert | Reapit | Street |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automated gas safety certificate renewal | Full end-to-end automation via AutoCert. Detects expiry, instructs supplier, processes invoice, validates certificate, updates Alto. | No certificate renewal automation on current or announced roadmap. | No end-to-end renewal workflow comparable to AutoCert. |
| Electrical safety (EICR) automation | Coming soon | Not available or announced. | Not available. |
| EPC tracking | Built into Alto’s property management dashboard with expiry tracking. | Available within the platform. | Basic tracking available. |
| Certificate legal validation (9 checks) | AutoCert validates every certificate against all nine statutory requirements before distribution. | Not automated – requires manual review. | Not automated – requires manual review. |
| Supplier instruction & invoice processing | Automated: AutoCert emails the preferred supplier, tracks the inspection date, receives and scans the invoice, and raises the charge in Alto. | Manual process – no equivalent automation. | Manual process – no equivalent automation. |
| Landlord & tenant notification | Automated at every stage of the renewal workflow. | Manual or template-based reminders. | Manual or template-based reminders. |
| Compliance audit trail | Every AutoCert action is logged in Alto in real time. Alto is the single source of record. | Tracking within the CRM, but no automated action log. | AI disclosure left to agents; governance risk sits with the agency. |
| Block management compliance | Service charge management, compliance reporting and high-rise fire safety included in Alto. | Block management no longer available. | No block management. |
| Admin time saved per renewal | 80% reduction.. 70 hours saved per branch per year at portfolio scale. | Not measured – no equivalent automation. | Not measured – no equivalent automation. |
Key takeaway: Alto is the only major UK estate agency CRM with end-to-end automated certificate compliance built in. Reapit has no certificate renewal automation on its current or announced roadmap. Street has no equivalent workflow. For letting agencies managing 50+ properties, this is one of the most consequential capability gaps in the market.
Why this gap matters more than it used to
The compliance picture changed significantly when the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 came into force on 27 October 2025. Under the Act’s new enforcement framework, confirmed in government guidance published November 2025, local councils now have a duty (not merely a discretion) to enforce compliance. Penalties range from £7,000 for minor breaches to £40,000 for serious or repeat offences, with criminal prosecution and unlimited fines for the most serious cases.
From December 2025, councils also gained new investigatory powers to demand compliance documents covering the previous 12 months. The old risk calculus of “it probably won’t happen” no longer holds.
Agencies on Reapit or Street managing this manually face the same compliance obligations as Alto users – but without the safety net of automation. Every renewal that slips through a busy property manager’s to-do list is a potential liability. AutoCert removes that risk at the root, not by adding another reminder, but by doing the work.
For agencies considering a CRM migration in 2026, certificate automation is now a practical selection criterion – not a nice-to-have.
Frequently asked questions: AutoCert, Alto, Reapit and Street
Does Reapit have automated gas safety certificate renewal?
No. Based on publicly available information, Reapit does not have certificate renewal automation on its current or announced product roadmap. Letting agents on Reapit manage gas safety and EICR renewals manually, or through separate third-party tools. Alto’s AutoCert is currently the only end-to-end automated certificate renewal workflow built natively into a major UK estate agency CRM.
Does Street have automated certificate compliance?
No. Street does not offer an end-to-end certificate renewal workflow comparable to AutoCert. Street’s compliance tools cover basic tracking and reminders, but the active steps – instructing suppliers, processing invoices, validating certificates, updating records – remain manual. For agencies with significant lettings portfolios, this creates the same compliance risk as any other manual process.
Which estate agency software is best for gas safety compliance?
For automated gas safety compliance, Alto with AutoCert is the strongest option currently available in the UK market. AutoCert detects upcoming renewals, instructs suppliers, processes invoices, validates certificates against all nine statutory requirements, distributes them to landlords and tenants, and updates Alto automatically. No other major UK estate agency CRM offers an equivalent end-to-end workflow.
Can I use AutoCert if I am switching from Reapit or Street to Alto?
Yes. AutoCert is available to all Alto users once properties are correctly configured. Alto’s onboarding team handles full data migration from Reapit, Street and over 50 other systems as standard, with most agencies going live in around 16 days. See Alto’s CRM comparison guide for more on the switching process.
What is the financial risk of missing a gas safety certificate renewal?
Under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, civil penalties range from £7,000 for minor non-compliance to £40,000 for serious or repeat offences, with criminal prosecution carrying unlimited fines (GOV.UK civil penalties guidance). For a letting agency managing a portfolio of 200 or more properties, a single oversight creates significant financial and reputational exposure. Automated compliance tools like AutoCert exist precisely to eliminate this risk at scale.
How does alto’s compliance automation compare to reapit’s?
Alto has end-to-end certificate automation via AutoCert, which is live and in active use. Reapit announced plans to launch AI-powered capabilities in early 2026, but certificate renewal automation is not part of its current or announced roadmap. Alto’s compliance tools also include block management – a capability Reapit no longer offers – making it the stronger fit for larger or more complex lettings operations.
Key statistics at a glance
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Admin time saved per renewal | 80% (hours → 5 min) |
| Renewal detection window | 30 days before expiry |
| Mandatory legal checks per certificate | 9 |
| Steps automated (fully managed) | 14 |
| Supplier invoice reminder sent | 1 day after inspection |
Get started with AutoCert
AutoCert is currently available now. Visit the product page here to find out more.
For letting agencies not yet on Alto, explore the Alto lettings CRM to understand how the platform supports the complete lettings workflow – from prospecting and compliance through to portfolio analytics.
