Landlords devote 31 hours of ‘sweat’ every month to property management

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Property118

Landlords devote 31 hours of ‘sweat’ every month to property management

Letting property is proving far from passive, with landlords dedicating huge amounts of time alongside financial investment to keep portfolios running.

According to Pegasus Insight’s latest Landlord Trends report, landlords now spend an average of 31 hours each month managing rental homes.

That equates to almost four working days, and the firm calls it ‘sweat equity’.

Among landlords with 11 or more properties, the workload climbs steeply to 78 hours, or close to 10 working days.

Letting is not passive

The firm’s founder and managing director, Mark Long, said: “There is often a perception that letting property is a relatively passive activity, that landlords just sit back and let the cash roll in.

“But the data tells a different story.

“For many landlords, particularly those operating at scale, portfolio management represents a significant monthly time commitment.”

He added: “As regulatory and operational requirements have increased, so too has the administrative and compliance workload.”

Still work with an agent

The report also highlights that landlord oversight doesn’t ease simply because a letting agent is involved.

While 57% of properties use some form of letting agent service, reported time commitments remain broadly aligned whether landlords outsource or not.

Compliance, maintenance oversight and financial administration still sit squarely with the owner.

Time input is highest among leveraged investors, HMO operators and those running larger holdings.

Chunk of rent spent on costs

Complexity increases as borrowing structures, licensing obligations and property standards stack up, pulling landlords deeper into day-to-day management.

Landlords estimate that 23% to 24% of gross rental income is consumed by running and maintenance costs.

Mr Long said: “Larger landlords, those whose properties are financed using a mortgage and those operating HMOs are naturally exposed to greater complexity, and that is reflected in the hours they invest.

“The combination of rising time demands, and ongoing cost pressures reinforces the fact that the private rented sector is becoming increasingly professionalised.”

He adds: “Successful landlords are devoting both capital and active management effort to sustain the performance of their investments.”

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Social housing landlords urged to be fair on pet requests

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Social housing landlords urged to be fair on pet requests

Social housing landlords will not be legally forced to grant pet requests, but the government urges them to be fair and considerate.

In a letter to social housing landlords, the government claims tenants in social housing do not experience the same barriers as tenants in the private rented sector (PRS) to keeping a pet.

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, tenants in the PRS have the right to reasonably request a pet, and private landlords cannot unreasonably refuse permission.

Encourage landlords to share best practice

Baroness Taylor of Stevenage, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing and Local Government, says in the letter it is “not proportionate or necessary to legislate to require social housing landlords to fairly consider tenants’ rights to request a pet”.

She adds: “I know that many social landlords already outline their policies on pets within their tenancy agreements. Where landlords do not, I encourage them to do so and also want to encourage landlords to share best practice on how requests to have pets are considered and communicated to tenants.

“I also expect that as social housing landlords, you will wish to clearly explain to tenants the factors that will be considered as part of any request for a pet, for example, whether the tenancy or superior lease allows pets, the suitability of the property (size/layout, shared access, access to gardens/communal space), the type/size of the animal, and welfare considerations, and provide a simple route to apply with a standard timeframe for a decision noting when timelines may extend if superior landlord consent is required.”

Refusal must be explained

Baroness Stevenage adds if pet requests are refused, then social housing landlords must explain why.

She writes: “Where requests are refused, decisions should be confirmed in writing with an explanation for why the request hasn’t been granted and, if appropriate, signpost the tenant to the options available for review or redress.

“Many social landlords also include details in their policies on pet welfare and control measures such as ensuring animals are looked after appropriately, are well‑controlled in communal areas, and do not cause nuisance or damage.”

Private landlords cannot refuse a pet request if they do not like pets

Under the Renters’ Rights Act, for private landlords the government has provided guidance on situations in which landlords may refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet. These include:

• Another tenant has an allergy – however, the guidance does not specify that a landlord’s own allergy is grounds for refusal.
• the property is too small for a large pet or several pets
• the pet is illegal to own
• if you’re a leaseholder, and your freeholder does not allow pets

However, private landlords cannot refuse a pet request if they do not like pets, have had previous tenants with pets who damaged the property or have general concerns about potential damage in the future.

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Derby landlord sells his portfolio with no searches, no survey, and £30,000 more than investor market

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Property118

Derby landlord sells his portfolio with no searches, no survey, and £30,000 more than investor market

We all know that this year’s brought with it some tough challenges for landlords. We’ve also been bombarded with news that, quite frankly, is bringing us all down.

It’s refreshing to hear, therefore, that for landlords who have made the decision to sell, there’s a way out with opportunities to be had, and it’s paying off.

One such landlord based in Derby approached us at Landlord Sales Agency wanting a fast sale, and was worried about tenant approval, especially with us edging ever closer towards the Renters’ Rights Act start date. Rather than exit the market completely, he was looking to sell his difficult properties and knew that traditional estate agents would take far too long and have zero certainty despite their higher market value prices, and auctions would leave him selling for far less than he wanted.

He needed experts who knew exactly how to sell difficult properties with tenants, could deliver certainty of sale and were able to manage the entire sale without him taking too much of a hit on price.

We were able to deliver exactly that. Specialising in landlord portfolio exits, we got to work ensuring full tenant cooperation, which preserved the value of the properties. Despite the tenants being anxious about sale and potential eviction, we were able to position the sales as landlord-to-landlord with clear communication.

Whilst the buyer market dictated vacant possession, our ability to get the tenants to co-operate meant we were able to market the property to substantially more buyers.

The result proved the importance of getting the right people for the job: we sold all 4 of the 6 properties the landlord owned and ensured the tenants assisted with the sale.

What’s more, we sold to a cash buyer, no searches, no survey, avoided a 9-month court delay and achieved £30,000 more than the investor market.

 The key takeaway? How you sell matters as much as if you sell, and we’ve got the right experts to do it. The landlord was able to get back on track and was very happy with the price. Whilst landlords need to be realistic in that for a fast sale they’re not going to get 100% market value, what they are able to achieve is more than the investor market, and a substantial amount more than panic selling at auction. It’s a win-win.

And he’s not alone. Every week, around 80 landlords are coming to us to sell, and we’re delivering. Not only are we able to achieve results that landlords are happy with, we’re super fast and we take the entire sales process off the landlords’ hands, allowing them to relax and let us do all of the hard work. On average all our properties sell in less than 28 days.

We get the job done, and we do it faster and better than anyone else. It’s why we’re the trusted choice for companies such as Property 118, LandlordZONE and Hamilton Fraser.

So if you have properties you want to sell and want to get straight to it, get in touch.

We’re here, and we’re ready to get started.

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Council urges landlords to help amid housing emergency in Scotland

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Property118

Council urges landlords to help amid housing emergency in Scotland

A Scottish council is calling on landlords to provide temporary accommodation for vulnerable families.

The council has launched a partnership encouraging landlords to offer properties for short-term use to help support families facing homelessness across the area.

The Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) is backing the scheme, saying it will help provide vital accommodation for homeless families.

We are in a housing emergency

The council explains landlords can lease their properties to Fife Council for a fixed term, receiving guaranteed monthly rent, property management, and no void periods with landlords retaining control over repairs and maintenance issues.

Fife Council’s housing spokesperson, Councillor Judy Hamilton, is keen to see landlords get involved.

She commented: “We are in a housing emergency and we’re committed to increasing the supply of affordable houses and easing pressure on our housing services.

“To achieve this goal, the council is developing affordable housing through various options using land and buildings in council ownership, engaging with private sector landowners, land agents and developers and utilising Scottish Government AHSP funding to assist in the delivery of much-needed affordable houses throughout Fife.

“This new Landlord Partnership will make sure that more families will soon have access to safe, secure and affordable housing in various locations across Fife.”

Members will benefit from a supportive network

She adds: “Every new property we secure makes a real difference for families waiting for a house that meets their needs.

“We know property owners want reassurance, reliability, and a straightforward service. This new Landlord Partnership aims to offer exactly that, while also contributing to the availability of safe, quality homes for people in our communities. We encourage owners across Fife to get involved.

“Working in partnership with Landlord Accreditation Scotland (LAS) members will benefit from a supportive network committed to improving standards and strengthening the private rented sector across Fife.”

Practical approach to tackling homelessness

Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) chief executive, John Blackwood, tells Property118 the scheme will help tackle Scotland’s housing crisis.

He said: “We are pleased to be joining with Landlord Accreditation Scotland in partnering with Fife Council on this innovative and practical approach to tackling homelessness, particularly for vulnerable families.

“By working together, we can help some of the most at-risk people get into safe, flexible homes and find new tenant customers for our members.

“Scotland is facing a housing crisis, and it will only be resolved with all stakeholders, including the private rented sector, playing their part through initiatives like this.”

Landlords can find out more about the scheme by contacting Fife Council’s Housing Access Team.

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Government ramps up campaign to prepare landlords for Making Tax Digital

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Government ramps up campaign to prepare landlords for Making Tax Digital

The government claim they are working with the software industry to make Making Tax Digital (MTD) compatible products available for landlords.

In answer to a written question, the government claim they are ramping up their campaign to inform landlords about Making Tax Digital.

Under the controversial scheme, from April this year, landlords earning more than £50,000 will be required to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC using authorised Making Tax Digital-compliant software.

Making Tax Digital will help landlords keep on top of their tax affairs

Independent MP James McMurdock asked the government: “What steps HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is taking to ensure that sole traders and landlords impacted by the new Making Tax Digital for Income Tax rules are aware of their obligations.”

In response, Labour MP Dan Tomlinson says the government is working to inform landlords of their obligations, claiming Making Tax Digital will help keep landlords on top of their tax affairs.

He said: “The government is undertaking a range of activities to ensure those needing to use Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax from April 2026 are ready and able to do so successfully.

“This includes targeted media campaigns, awareness letters, developing guidance, and working with the software industry to ensure a broad range of MTD‑compatible products is available, to suit different needs and budgets. Free options will support those with the simplest affairs.

“MTD will help businesses and landlords keep on top of their tax affairs. It places small businesses on a more digital footing, with digital tools helping to reduce errors and making annual tax returns easier.”

The government has published guidance to help landlords find the right software for MTD, including a list of approved software providers.

Alongside this, a new online search tool has been launched, which asks a series of questions tailored to sole traders and landlords, before generating a personalised list of compatible MTD software options.

No real benefit

However, as previously reported by Property118, despite the government claiming Making Tax Digital will help landlords, an accountant says this is not the case.

Simon Misiewicz previously told Property118:  “There’s no real benefit beyond maybe streamlining some of the work you already do,” he says. “Does it help with tax returns and submissions? The truth is, I can’t see how.

“There’s no advantage for the individual in submitting quarterly returns, because HMRC doesn’t do anything with them until the end of the year. You don’t pay your taxes any earlier, and there is no real cash-flow benefit for the government”.

The government admitted in the Making Tax Digital impact assessment that landlords earning £50,000 could incur an average transitional cost of £285 and an average annual additional cost of £115.

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Labour-run council hires extra staff for selective licensing crackdown

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Property118

Labour-run council hires extra staff for selective licensing crackdown

A council has doubled the size of its staff to deal with selective licensing.

Westminster council claims it has recruited 52 new posts to its Private Renters Team to process selective licensing applications and move from “reactive enforcement to a more proactive approach”.

The licence costs nearly £1,000, and an online reporting tool has been launched for residents who suspect a property is operating without the correct licence.

The news follows an announcement by Mansfield District Council recently that it had underestimated how many PRS homes would need to be licensing and recruited two more staff members.

Deliver real change in the private rented sector

The Labour-run council says the response to the selective licensing scheme from landlords “has been far stronger than anticipated” and has received more applications than expected.

Cllr Ellie Ormsby, cabinet member for regeneration and renters, claimed extra staff will help support renters.

She said: “Selective licensing has given us the ability to significantly expand our Private Renters Team, allowing us to move from reactive enforcement to a proactive approach that raises standards across Westminster.

“As new duties come into force under the Renters’ Rights Act, Westminster Labour is making sure the council has the capacity to meet its responsibilities, protect renters, and support responsible landlords. This expanded team gives us the tools we need to deliver real change in the private rented sector.”

Help target enforcement

Westminster City Council claims its Private Renters Team will now focus on increasing compliance across the borough by identifying properties that are not registered but should be licensed under the selective licensing scheme.

The council’s online reporting tool will allow tenants and residents to report a property they suspect has no licence. It claims: “This will help us target enforcement more effectively and ensure that no one gains an unfair advantage by avoiding their responsibilities.”

The council also points out that when a landlord fails to obtain the correct licence, tenants may be eligible to apply for a Rent Repayment Order, allowing them to reclaim up to 12 months’ rent paid during periods of non-compliance.

As previously reported on Property118, selective licensing does more than good, with government guidance suggesting selective licensing should only be used as a last resort.

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Council turns to private landlords to house benefit tenants

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Property118

Council turns to private landlords to house benefit tenants

A council is urging landlords to rent out their properties to tenants in receipt of housing benefits.

Sheffield city council is looking for landlords to lease their properties through its private rented sector (PRS) scheme.

The news comes as last month, Exeter city council urged landlords to fill vacant homes via a free scheme.

Guaranteed rental income

The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) reports on its website that the free scheme by Sheffield council is looking for one, two or three-bedroom properties in the Sheffield area.

The council says landlords can benefit from a guaranteed rental income, with the council guaranteeing rent for the fixed term of the tenancy, as well as access to the Damage Liability Scheme, under which the council will cover any damages caused by a tenant in the property.

The council say the tenants who use the scheme are usually in receipt of some benefits, even when working.

Under the scheme, councils will match tenants on their waiting list to the property with a local authority representative organising and attending all property viewings and managing the contract.

Sheffield city council say the landlord will retain full management of the property throughout and make the final decision on offering any tenancy.

To find out more information on the scheme landlords can view by clicking here.

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Landlords leaving the market as Renters’ Rights Act looms

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Property118

Landlords leaving the market as Renters’ Rights Act looms

Landlords are panicking and exiting the market before the Renters’ Rights Act, a new report has claimed.

Propertymark’s Housing Insight report features comments from member agents across the country who warn that landlords are hesitant to re-let or expand their portfolios.

Propertymark is calling for more clarity around rental reform to reassure landlords.

Landlords are selling

A Propertymark member agent from the South West told the report: “The Renters’ Rights Act has made more landlords panic and ask for notice to be served before the changes. All are selling their properties, and we do not have any other properties available to offer to existing tenants.

“Existing tenants are not moving due to a lack of supply, and this could lead to overcrowding as existing families grow and cannot move to a larger property, either due to financial constraints or lack of supply.”

Another member agent told the report that whilst there are some positives in the rental market, tenants will suffer as rents will rise.

A Home Counties Propertymark member agent said: “The market has stabilised slightly, three new property instructions are a welcome sign.

“Landlords are very negative about the forthcoming changes in legislation, to which I agree, although I try to give positive vibes. The new taxes and the move to Renters’ Rights take me back to the pre- 1988 Housing Act.

“Most landlords are responsible, and it is the minority of bad landlords and bad tenants who are destroying the market, and the consequence will be a considerably reduced number of properties to rent, which will raise rents, which will help no one.”

Clarity around reform urgently needed

According to the report, demand still continues to outpace supply with the average number of applicants per member branch sitting at around six people per property.

The report also reveals the number of member agents reporting problems with rental arrears increased to 4%.

Nathan Emerson, chief executive of Propertymark, said the government must provide more clarity over rental reform to prevent further contraction in supply.

He said: “In the lettings sector, demand continues to significantly outpace supply, despite a modest uplift in available stock and fully managed instructions. Void periods remain relatively short, underlining how competitive the rental market still is, while rents continue to rise year on year, albeit at a slowing pace.

“Affordability pressures are becoming more visible, with rental arrears increasing and many landlords expressing concern around forthcoming legislative changes. Greater clarity around rental reform is urgently needed to reassure landlords and prevent further contraction in supply, which would only intensify pressures for tenants.”

Uncertainty is making landlords hesitant

Phil Spencer, founder of MoveiQ, said: “For renters, the picture remains tough. Demand is still far higher than supply, and although rental growth is slowing, average rents remain elevated across the UK.

“Short void periods show that well-priced homes are being snapped up quickly, leaving tenants with limited choice and little negotiating power.

“At the same time, uncertainty around the Renters’ Rights Act is making some landlords hesitant to re-let or expand their portfolios. Until there is greater clarity and confidence in the regulatory environment, renters are likely to continue feeling the impact of a highly pressured and competitive market.”

A market that’s active but fragile

For the sales market, the UK average house price showed slight growth month on month at £271,000.

The average number of new prospective buyers registered per member branch saw an upward trend, with an average of 74 in December 2025.

However, in December 2025, on average, around 30.4 % of housing transactions take longer than 17 weeks to complete.

Mr Spencer said: “For buyers and sellers, this feels like a market that’s active but fragile. More buyers are registering, but viewings have dipped, and a high proportion of properties are still selling below asking price.

“That tells us people are interested, but they’re being very price-sensitive and far less willing to overstretch themselves. Long transaction times are also taking their toll, increasing the risk of fall-throughs and adding stress to what is already a demanding process.

“While lower interest rates offer some encouragement, affordability remains stretched for many households, meaning buyers are proceeding carefully and sellers need to be realistic on pricing if they want to secure a sale.”

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NRLA hits out at court eviction delays

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Property118

NRLA hits out at court eviction delays

The National Association of Residential Landlords (NRLA) is warning that the justice system is heading towards breaking point as government data show mounting delays in possession proceedings.

The Ministry of Justice figures show it took courts an average of more than eight months to process and enforce landlord claims last year.

That is the second longest turnaround recorded since 2005, surpassed only by pandemic-era disruption when hearings stalled under emergency restrictions.

However, the NRLA says this is an early warning sign because the Renters’ Rights Act in May will worsen the situation.

Court times must improve

The NRLA’s chief executive, Ben Beadle, said: “This latest data must serve as a stark and final warning to the government of the dangers of failing to bolster the courts system, before further pressure brings the justice system to its knees.

“It is entirely unacceptable that fewer possession cases are taking longer for the courts to process and enforce.

“If the backlog is increasing now, before the government’s reforms begin to bite in May, there is no hope that the system will be able to cope with what is to come.”

He added: “There is no more time to waste.

“Ministers must urgently explain when and how reforms will be made. This needs to include clear targets to see court waiting times falling.

“Without this, responsible landlords will be left powerless to deal with crippling arrears or community blighting anti-social behaviour.”

Landlord possession cases

Analysis of the data shows 91,093 landlord possession cases were issued in 2025, down from 98,766 the previous year.

Claims brought under Section 8, where landlords must evidence grounds such as rent arrears, dropped by almost 5% compared with 2024.

Section 21 filings dropped by nearly 13% over the same period.

Despite having fewer landlord court applications, they are taking longer to conclude.

Court readiness ‘essential’

The housing minister, Matthew Pennycook, previously described judicial readiness as ‘essential’ to the reforms’ success while the legislation was passing through Parliament.

Landlord Action’s Paul Shamplina told Property118: “Years of underinvestment in the courts are now translating into record waiting times for landlords.

“At the same time, the majority of landlords we act for are still relying on Section 21.

“Once that route is removed, every case will depend on a court process that is already under pressure.”

He added: “With the mandatory rent arrears threshold increasing from two months to three months and notice periods extending to four weeks under the new rules, landlords will face longer timelines before they can secure a possession order.

“Once an order is granted, enforcement delays can add further months.”

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Liverpool landlord who sold his properties in 2 weeks: “stop obsessing about 100% market value, focus on speed and certainty of sale”

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Property118

Liverpool landlord who sold his properties in 2 weeks: “stop obsessing about 100% market value, focus on speed and certainty of sale”

By now no doubt you’ve all read the government’s civil penalty tables, which a few weeks ago hit landlords hard, showing fines of up to £35,000 for breaches under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025. The news was just the tip of the iceberg in a nationwide “crackdown” on landlords.

For one landlord in Liverpool, the current climate was enough to take action. He’d moved to Dubai and had a portfolio of 8 properties that he needed to sell, with one marked difference: unlike some landlords wanting to sell, he was keen to “prioritise certainty of sale” over waiting to get the “highest price possible.”

Of his portfolio of 8 properties, 3 were substantially underperforming post-rate rises. His strategy was simple: get his finances back on track with a partial exit, not a panic sell.

 This meant he wasn’t worried about that extra £10,000 to hit full market value, he just wanted speed, certainty and to remove the pressure worrying about the timeline of the sale and whether or not they might sell. That’s when he approached us at Landlord Sales Agency.

Landlord Sales Agency offers a critical service. We specialise in fast, efficient sales that achieve strong prices without the months of uncertainty that normally accompany a traditional sale. Working with over 30,000 private active buyers, portfolio investors and cash purchasers who are ready to proceed, many sellers receive serious offers within days. In fact, our maximum average time to sell is just 28 days.

The process is straightforward, confidential and designed to protect the landlord’s financial position.

We immediately got to work on the portfolio. The first property sold for £92K vs £100K market value in just 2 weeks to a cash buyer, no survey, no searches, just cash.

Within 6 weeks we’d sold the remainder of weakest assets in his portfolio to another cash buyer and retained the stronger ones. We released capital, reduced stress and improved overall yield.

The landlord walked away extremely happy with the rest of his portfolio completely recovered and once again extremely profitable.

And he’s not alone. Every week around 80 landlords are coming to us to sell, and the savviest ones are the ones who aren’t obsessing about squeezing the last £10,000 out of a deal. They just want to sell in a way that avoids loss, is simple, and fully managed from start to finish by experts who can take the properties completely off their hands.

And that’s exactly what we’re doing.

So if you’re a landlord who wants to explore a fast and safe exit, contact us at Landlord Sales Agency for a confidential discussion.

Don’t wait another month. Let’s get the properties you want sold within a week if we can, and get you back on your feet. It really is as simple as that.

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