Is it worth going back to self-managing my rental properties?

My honest answer – it’s money well spent if you need to be going back to basics by asking about what legislation you need to be adhering to and how to put the rent up.

The fees are tax deductible – why not just provide your agent with details of your contractors and just ask them to keep you in the loop if any repairs/deductions are necessary?

You may think that is all they do until your tenant is calling you one evening (or you’re away on holiday enjoying your retirement) when their boiler has stopped………..

You need to be careful about self-managing as there are an awful lot of regulations to comply with and more coming when the Renters Rights Bill becomes law.

My Landlord Law service is designed for self-managing landlords, and we have extensive help to enable you to be compliant. You can find out more about Landlord Law here: https://landlordlaw.co.uk/#membership

We also have a little guide on whether self-managing will be right for you: https://landlordlaw.co.uk/openaccess_trails/saving-money-with-landlord-law/

I self manage, and always have done so. However there are a lot of landlords who only have 1 or 2 properties and prefer not to engage with the tenants. Each case is different, there is room for both approaches.

I have a portfolio of 21 properties in In London and use the services of an agent to manage these for 18 years. That arrangement eventually fell out of bed and I found myself self managing. I have to say that once I had established a panel of decent contractors, the process really isn’t that difficult. I’m sure with a little reading up on compliance you will quickly get to terms with your responsibilities in that respect. And if you are nearing retirement, it’s worth considering that managing your properties actually give your day a little bit of focus. Not to suggest you haven’t got other things to do of course!

I have self-managed for nearly 25 years and wouldn’t have it any other way.
Maybe it’s because I’m Scottish and inherently distrust others…lol
I like to be on top of things and have a good set of contractors, or for example, boiler service contracts in place for properties that aren’t local to me.
Just think of the money you will save and it would be easy in today’s connected world to quickly get up to speed on your obligations.

Definitely self manage and you can obtain all the information and guidance you need by joining the NRLA (National Residential Landlords Association). They have all the info and documents you need on their website along with a free telephone helpline. £125 p.a. which is tax deductible.

I had an agent then realised that whenever there was a issues the tenants would come to me, I’d rather the repairs came through me as the agent would charge me for their contractor, in the end I went alone and it was fine….. Just make sure your up to speed with legislation

Do some training on the Renters Rights Bill before deciding. I’d be surprised if you feel the same way afterwards.

Reply to the comment left by Nikki Palmer at 24/04/2025 – 10:41
I gave my tenants my number and told them to contact me directly. She did consistently asking when I was going to do this or that. She also hounded my agent at weekends and then messaged me when he didn’t reply to her. She wants the house perfect to her liking at my expense. As I was paying the agents I went back to them dealing with matters. I know she hounds them about things but they are better placed to deal with her demands and they will tell her no to her demands. I did think of managing myself but glad that I didn’t. Also every tome we offered to go round to see what needed doing, which was very little, just her wanting perfection, she wouls say, no I have someone coming round who can do the job, her
brother or a friend etc. I no longer have the hassle and the agents are well aware of what she is like. That is just my situation.

I have self managed for 25 years. I love direct contact with tenants as I solves issues promptly. Agents are just another layer of waste. Also agents themselves are not on top of regulations anyway. The independent Landlord Suzanne Smith keeps all us LLs up to date on regs for free so check her website/ you videos etc