Why London Landlords Without Agents Spend Four Days a Month on Red Tape—and How to Manage It

The Hidden Time Drain in Self-Managing Rental Properties

A recent 2026 study by Pegasus Insight has quantified a challenge familiar to many London landlords: managing rental properties without agency support consumes an average of 31 hours per month—almost four full working days. For landlords with portfolios of 11 or more units, this commitment escalates to about 78 hours monthly, roughly two full work weeks.

Why does this matter? For time-poor landlords, especially those juggling other careers or personal commitments, this administrative burden impacts not only day-to-day operations but also compliance vigilance and tenant relations.

Compliance and Financial Management: A Growing Burden

Despite 57% of UK landlords employing agents to share the load, those managing properties independently face mounting regulatory complexity. Every landlord retains ultimate responsibility for:

• Ensuring up-to-date compliance with safety and licensing regulations
• Maintaining property upkeep to requisite standards
• Overseeing financial management including mortgages, tax filings, and rent collection

Landlords holding buy-to-let mortgages or operating Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) confront even greater administrative layers. The study highlights that property running costs (maintenance, compliance works, agent fees if applicable) consume roughly 23%-24% of gross rental income, a critical figure for budgeting and rent-setting.

Different Landlords, Different Challenges

Single-unit landlords may find the time investment manageable but should be cautious not to underestimate compliance deadlines or financial administration. Accidental landlords—those who inherited property or moved home but retained a rented unit—often lack systems and may benefit greatly from external expertise.

Portfolio landlords, especially those with 11+ properties, face exponential complexity, balancing multiple tenancy agreements, staggered inspection cycles, and diverse compliance requirements. Similarly, HMO landlords must navigate intricate licensing regimes and safety checks that intensify time and cost demands.

Practical Steps to Mitigate Risks and Streamline Workflows

1. Audit Your Processes: Map out your current administrative and compliance tasks. Identify bottlenecks or repeated manual work that could be automated or delegated.

2. Evaluate Use of Letting Agents: Even partial management or compliance advisory services can significantly reduce your hands-on hours and mitigate risk. Consider the cost-benefit balance, factoring in agent fees versus potential fines or lost rent.

3. Budget for Time and Money: Incorporate the 23%-24% running cost benchmark into your financial plan, ensuring you allocate sufficient funds and reserve time blocks monthly for property management.

4. Stay Ahead of Compliance: Schedule quarterly reviews of regulatory updates, particularly for HMOs and mortgage conditions. Engage with official resources like local councils and government websites to confirm deadlines.

5. Leverage Technology: Property management software can automate rent reminders, compliance calendars, and document storage, easing administrative load.

6. Plan for Growth Strategically: If considering portfolio expansion or entering the HMO market, build in additional management capacity or agent support from the outset.

How Rentals & Sales Supports Your Landlord Journey

At Rentals & Sales, we specialise in helping landlords optimise their portfolios with tailored compliance audits, pricing strategy consultations, and operational reviews. Whether you manage a single flat or a complex HMO portfolio, our expert advisory services can help reduce your time spent on red tape and safeguard your property investment.

Contact us to arrange a personalised portfolio review and discuss how we can assist in streamlining your landlord responsibilities.

Compliance Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Landlords should consult relevant regulatory bodies or qualified professionals for specific compliance obligations.