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.”