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Should You Manage Your Property Yourself or Hire a Professional Agent?

Should You Manage Your Property Yourself or Hire a Professional Agent?

With new regulations coming into play, landlords are facing a pivotal question: should you continue managing your property independently or partner with a professional letting agent? Managing a rental property can be rewarding, but it also requires a significant amount of time, expertise, and effort—especially as laws and responsibilities evolve. For many landlords, particularly those balancing other jobs, working with an experienced agent can be the key to smooth and stress-free property management.

Let’s dive into what it takes to manage a rental property successfully:

 

Staying on Top of Ever-Changing Laws

As a landlord, you must stay on top of over 400 rules governing the lettings industry. It’s a complex landscape that changes constantly, with new regulations popping up at both national and local levels. Local authority licensing schemes, for example, can often be overlooked, putting you at risk of non-compliance.

Finding and Screening Tenants Effectively

It’s essential to find tenants who are not only reliable but also maintain your property in good condition. Screening tenants thoroughly means less hassle down the road, but it’s a detailed process that requires experience and an understanding of how to assess potential tenants.

Responding to Tenant Needs and Emergencies Promptly

You’ll need to handle tenant requests and emergencies with urgency. Whether it’s a maintenance issue or a tenant complaint, your ability to respond promptly is crucial for keeping tenants happy and maintaining the property’s condition.

Conducting Inspections and Spotting Potential Issues Early

Regular property inspections are vital for identifying any maintenance issues before they escalate. Catching small problems early can save you money and avoid potential disputes with tenants.

Managing Repairs, Health, and Safety Compliance

Legal requirements demand that properties meet certain health and safety standards. This includes having the right contractors for repairs and ensuring all legal checks are done on time. Without this knowledge, you could face costly fines and even legal action.

Keeping Track of Rent Payments and Handling Delinquencies

Tracking rent payments and chasing up overdue amounts is another key task in property management. If you’re not on top of your rent collection, it could result in loss of income and potential conflicts with tenants.

Understanding How to End a Tenancy and Manage Evictions

Ending a tenancy correctly is a legal process that requires knowledge of the law. If you need to evict a tenant, you must do so within the boundaries of the law to avoid costly mistakes.

While this may seem like a lot to manage, a professional letting agent like Wainwrights can take care of all these tasks on your behalf, ensuring your property is compliant with current laws and regulations.

Sure, there’s a cost to hiring an agent, but when you consider the time you’d need to spend keeping up with the rules, managing tenants, and dealing with emergencies, the investment is often well worth it. And, most importantly, you can avoid potential legal headaches and penalties that can arise from non-compliance.

 

The 2025 Renters’ Rights Bill: What You Need to Know

As a landlord in 2025, one of the most significant changes you’ll need to navigate is the Renters' Rights Bill (RRB). Expected to be enacted in the spring, the bill will bring several key changes that could impact how you manage your property. Here's a quick overview:

  • Goodbye Fixed-Term Tenancies: The current Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) will be replaced by a new periodic tenancy agreement.

  • Changes to Section 21: This will no longer be a valid method for ending a tenancy, which will require landlords to explore alternative options.

  • Revised Section 8 Grounds: Rent arrears and other grounds for eviction will see longer notice periods and stricter conditions.

  • Limits on Rent Increases: The new law will set limits on how much and how often rent can be increased.

  • Introduction of a Decent Homes Standard: This sets out clear minimum requirements for the condition of your property, ensuring health and safety standards are met.

  • Changes in Discrimination Laws: You’ll need to adjust your policies on discrimination and accepting pets.

  • Higher Penalties for Non-Compliance: Failure to follow the rules could result in larger fines and penalties.

  • New Registration and Ombudsman Requirements: Landlords will have to register with a Property Registration Scheme (PRS) and join an ombudsman service.

The law is changing rapidly, and these shifts could leave even experienced landlords struggling to keep up. That’s where Wainwrights comes in. We stay ahead of the game and ensure your property is fully compliant with the latest regulations, so you don’t have to worry about missing critical changes.

Why Choose Wainwrights

At Wainwrights we offer professional services that simplify property management. From staying updated with new legislation to managing tenant relations, repairs, and inspections, we take care of it all. Our experienced team is here to make sure you have a stress-free letting experience while ensuring your property meets all legal requirements.

Get in Touch with Us Today!

If you’re unsure whether managing your property on your own is the right choice, or if you’d like to learn more about how we can assist, reach out to us.

Contact us on 01394275276 or schedule a free consultation to discuss how we can help you navigate the changes coming with the Renters’ Rights Bill and take the hassle out of property management.

Let Wainwrights help you maximise your investment and keep things running smoothly!

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