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Most estate agencies could reduce their payroll cost by around 15% without losing a single member of their team. SJM Consultants provides the HMRC-approved structure that makes it possible.

SJM Consultants offers UK estate agencies an HMRC pre-approved self-employed contractor structure, combined with specialist recruitment, training, and investment support. Their revenue-approved contract model helps agencies convert existing staff and new associates to a self-employed structure - saving around 15% on payroll and freeing up capital for growth.

15%
~15% saving
Typical payroll saving through SE structure
HMRC
HMRC approved
Pre-approved contract for property sector use
10+
10+ years
Experience in SE structures for property
Week
~1 week
Typical setup and onboarding timescale
The estate agency payroll challenge

Payroll is the largest cost in most estate agencies. SJM Consultants provides a compliant structure that reduces it significantly.

Employment costs for estate agency staff - employer's NI, pension contributions, holiday pay, sick pay - add significantly to the headline salary figure. Many agencies are unaware that an HMRC-approved self-employed contractor structure exists specifically for the property sector that can legally reduce these costs.

"Our employment costs are making it difficult to profitably scale the team."

Adding headcount in estate agency is expensive when every salary comes with 25-30% additional employment costs on top. The SJM self-employed contractor model reduces these costs significantly without reducing team size or capability.

"We want to bring in new self-employed associates but we are not sure of the legal structure."

SJM Consultants provides an HMRC pre-approved contract specifically designed for the property sector. The legal structure is fully compliant and has been approved directly with HMRC - removing the compliance risk from self-employed arrangements.

"We are spending money on recruitment and training instead of proptech because the payroll is too high."

Agencies that free up payroll capital through the SJM model consistently reinvest in training, recruitment, and technology. The saving makes growth investment possible that would otherwise require external funding.

"We have tried self-employed arrangements before but had compliance concerns."

Previous self-employed arrangements in estate agency have sometimes been challenged by HMRC. SJM's model uses a pre-approved contract that has been directly reviewed and agreed with HMRC - giving agencies the confidence to implement without compliance risk.

How SJM Consultants works

Six ways SJM Consultants helps estate agencies reduce costs, recruit effectively, and grow profitably.

SJM Consultants combines an HMRC-approved contract structure with recruitment support, training services, and ongoing compliance management - providing a complete solution rather than just a document.

1

HMRC pre-approved SE contract

SJM provides an HMRC pre-approved contract for services specifically designed for the UK property sector. The contract structure has been reviewed and agreed with HMRC, providing agencies with a fully compliant basis for self-employed arrangements.

2

Existing staff conversion

The SJM structure can be used for both existing employed team members who want to move to a self-employed model and new associates joining on a self-employed basis. The transition is managed to ensure all parties understand the arrangement.

3

Payroll saving of around 15%

Agencies moving appropriate team members onto the SJM self-employed contract structure typically save around 15% on payroll costs for those individuals - through reduced employer NI, pension contributions, and other employment overhead.

4

TMS group compliance management

The TMS group handles all aspects of the paperwork and contracts. Monthly calls ensure all parties are across their responsibilities. Full access to a team of tax experts and compliance officers is included.

5

Recruitment support via Crux Careers

SJM works alongside Crux Careers to provide recruitment support for agencies looking to grow their self-employed team. A selection of payment options for businesses looking to recruit is available.

6

Bookkeeping and self-assessment support

For self-employed associates, the TMS group provides support with bookkeeping, self-assessment tax returns, and ongoing accounting requirements - making the self-employed structure practical and manageable for individuals who are not accountants.

Getting started with the SJM self-employed structure

Five steps from first conversation to a fully compliant self-employed structure for your estate agency team.

Setup and onboarding with SJM Consultants takes around one week. The process is managed by the TMS group, requiring minimal effort from the agency.

1

Consultation and structure review

SJM Consultants reviews your current team structure, payroll costs, and growth plans to determine the most appropriate application of the self-employed model for your specific agency.

2

Contract and documentation preparation

The TMS group prepares the HMRC pre-approved contract documentation for each individual moving onto the self-employed structure. All paperwork is handled by the TMS compliance team.

3

Team briefing and transition

Existing team members and new associates are briefed on the self-employed structure - their responsibilities, the benefits, and what changes from a practical day-to-day perspective.

4

Go-live and ongoing compliance

The structure goes live. Monthly calls with the TMS compliance team ensure all parties remain across their responsibilities. Tax expert access is available for any queries.

5

Payroll saving realised and reinvested

The payroll saving begins from the first month under the new structure. SJM can advise on how to deploy the freed-up capital in training, technology, or recruitment for maximum growth impact.

The Kerfuffle member offer

Kerfuffle members get a payroll review showing the potential saving the SJM structure could deliver for their agency.

SJM Consultants works with estate agencies of all sizes across the UK and beyond. Kerfuffle members get a direct conversation to review the potential payroll saving for their specific team structure.

What Kerfuffle members get

  • Payroll review to identify the potential saving from the SE structure
  • HMRC pre-approved contract structure overview
  • TMS group compliance management explanation
  • Recruitment support options via Crux Careers
  • Kerfuffle account manager introduction to the SJM team
Kerfuffle member route

Standard route

Off-the-shelf pricing

Your terms, reviewed before you sign

Monthly licence
Monthly licence with substantial payroll saving offset

SJM Consultants charges a monthly licence fee. The typical payroll saving of around 15% for covered employees substantially offsets and exceeds this cost. Kerfuffle members get a full cost-benefit analysis before committing.

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Live demo - open to all Kerfuffle members

Find out how much your agency could save by implementing the SJM self-employed contractor structure.

A conversation covering the HMRC-approved contract structure, how the transition works for existing staff and new associates, what the typical payroll saving looks like, and how the TMS group manages ongoing compliance.

On demand
Book now
30 min + Q&A
Kerfuffle team

SJM Consultants - a practical walkthrough for UK estate agents

A 30-minute conversation with the SJM Consultants team covering the HMRC pre-approved self-employed contract model for estate agencies, the transition process for existing employees and new associates, the typical 15% payroll saving, TMS group compliance management, and how Crux Careers supports the recruitment side of the model.

K
Kerfuffle Team
Your account manager - member advisory
Book a Zoom with Kerfuffle
SJM Consultants gave us a structure that was HMRC-approved and genuinely reduced our payroll costs. The TMS group handles all the compliance and tax support for our associates. The capital we freed up went straight into technology and training. It is the best structural decision we have made in the last three years.
Managing Director, multi-branch agency South East England
Frequently asked questions

What estate agency leaders ask about the SJM self-employed structure.

Is the SJM self-employed structure compliant with HMRC IR35 rules?
SJM's structure uses an HMRC pre-approved contract specifically designed for the property sector. The structure has been reviewed and agreed with HMRC. SJM can advise on the specific application of IR35 rules for your agency's situation.
Can the structure be used for our existing employed team members?
Yes. The SJM structure can be used for both existing team members who want to move to self-employed status and new associates joining on a self-employed basis. The decision is voluntary for existing employees.
What is the actual financial saving for a typical estate agency?
The typical saving is around 15% of the payroll cost for each individual on the self-employed structure - mainly from reduced employer NI, pension contributions, and holiday pay. SJM will calculate the specific saving for your team during the consultation.
What does TMS group actually do?
The TMS group handles all the administrative, legal, and compliance aspects of the self-employed structure - contracts, paperwork, monthly compliance calls, bookkeeping support, self-assessment tax returns, and access to tax experts for both the agency and the individual associates.
How does the recruitment support with Crux Careers work?
SJM works alongside Crux Careers to support agencies looking to recruit new self-employed associates. They have prospective candidates looking for self-employed positions in estate agency and offer payment options for agencies looking to recruit.
How do we access the Kerfuffle member deal?
Book through this page and your Kerfuffle account manager will introduce you to the SJM Consultants team for a payroll review.
About SJM Consultants

HMRC-approved self-employed contractor structures for UK estate agencies - since 2013.

SJM Consultants has over ten years of experience helping UK estate agencies implement HMRC-approved self-employed contractor structures. Working through the TMS group and alongside Crux Careers, they provide a complete solution that covers the legal structure, compliance management, recruitment support, and individual associate accounting services that make the self-employed model practical and profitable.

15%
Typical payroll saving through SE structure
10+
Years of SE structure experience in property
HMRC
Pre-approved contract for property sector
1 week
Typical setup and onboarding timescale
Pays You Back

SJM Consultants on Compare The PropTech

SJM Consultants is featured on Compare The PropTech alongside hundreds of other UK proptech suppliers. Kerfuffle members can view verified reviews, compare suppliers, and see which tools qualify for PropTech That Pays Back - the initiative that rewards estate agents with kredits for the tools they actually use.

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Your agency is likely paying 15% more than it needs to on payroll. SJM Consultants has the HMRC-approved structure that changes that.

One conversation to review your payroll structure. One week to implement the change. Measurable saving from month one.

Want to talk through how SJM Consultants would work for your team?

Grab fifteen minutes with the Kerfuffle team. We will walk you through the member offer, answer your questions, and figure out the best fit for your agency.

Book a Zoom with Kerfuffle →