“I should have done this two years ago” – what one landlord said after selling a problem property

Property118

“I should have done this two years ago” – what one landlord said after selling a problem property

Not long ago, a landlord said something that will resonate with more Property118 readers than many might admit.

After completing the sale of one troublesome rental property, he paused and said: “I should have done this two years ago.”

He was not talking about a bad investment. The property had risen in value over time, rent had been collected, and on paper, it had seemed to him like a perfectly reasonable decision to keep it, but the real problem was different, that property had become draining.

The property that quietly consumed too much energy

Many landlords know the type, nothing catastrophic, just constant friction. A repair here, a tenant issue there, a delay with contractors, unexpected expense, another interruption while away for the weekend, and then another.

One property can sometimes create more mental load than several straightforward ones combined, and it was that which was the real issue.

Why he kept delaying the decision

Like many owners, he had good reasons for waiting. He thought values might rise further, he did not want the hassle of selling, he assumed the next year would be easier, and he constantly told himself it was “not that bad”. Those thoughts are common, and understandable, yet while he delayed, the property continued taking time, attention and enthusiasm.

What changed after the sale

Once sold, several things happened quickly. There was less distraction, more liquidity, more clarity about the rest of the portfolio, and perhaps most importantly, renewed enthusiasm for the properties he chose to keep. That last point is often overlooked. Selling a tiring asset can improve how the stronger remainder feels to own.

Why some landlords are making similar decisions now

Across many conversations, we hear from landlords who are not looking to sell everything. They are simply questioning whether every property still deserves its place.

Some choose to dispose of assets that are management-heavy, lower-yielding relative to equity tied up, geographically awkward, likely to need significant works and/or are no longer suited to current life priorities.

David Coughlin, director of Landlord Sales Agency, said: “As both a landlord and an agent, I’ve learned that 20% of properties often create 80% of the stress. The challenge is that they’re not always easy to part with, there may be long-standing tenants, mortgage penalties, refurbishment plans or simply the hope that things will improve.

“Many landlords aren’t looking to sell everything; they’re looking to remove the one or two properties that consume disproportionate amounts of time, money and mental energy.”

Waiting can carry its own cost

Many owners focus only on whether prices might rise, and that’s fair enough, but there are other costs to delay. For example; another repair cycle, another difficult tenancy, another year of avoidable hassle or another postponed wider plan. Those costs are real too.

The right sale can strengthen the rest

This is where many decisions become more intelligent, because sometimes one well-chosen disposal can reduce stress, release capital, improve focus, strengthen remaining holdings, and restore enjoyment of ownership. That can be far more valuable than simply holding everything indefinitely.

A conversation worth having?

If one property in your portfolio instantly comes to mind while reading this, there may be a reason.

These conversations are often most useful for established landlords who want calmer ownership, stronger control and decisions made proactively rather than reluctantly.

FREE 30-MINUTE CHAT VIA ZOOM

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