Propertymark: More Self-Managing Landlords Turning to Letting Agents After Renters' Rights Act
Propertymark’s latest Housing Insight Report suggests growing numbers of self-managing landlords are now seeking professional management support as compliance obligations increase following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act.
Propertymark’s latest Housing Insight Report has highlighted a growing trend across the private rented sector: more self-managing landlords are turning to letting agents to take over the management of their properties.
Feedback gathered from Propertymark members across England suggests that landlords are increasingly looking for support as the regulatory burden of owning rental property continues to grow.
In Sussex, one Propertymark member reported:
“I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of let only landlords that have converted to the managed service due to the change in legislation.”
Meanwhile, a member agent in Staffordshire said:
“We have found that for as many managed landlords who have left us to sell up in March and April, we have replaced that managed stock with more landlords who have previously self-managed and, in some cases, have never used an agent before, who have come to us to take over the management of their property(s).”
The Renters’ Rights Act was also cited as a key factor by a Propertymark member in the North West, who commented:
“Renters Rights Act is now really making the landlord reconsider letting when a notice is received from tenants. The automatic relet is now not automatic. Landlords are fed up with the constant legislation changes and worried by recent Government comments when the RRA became law.”
The findings come at a time when rental demand remains exceptionally strong. Propertymark reports that the average member branch continues to see around seven prospective tenants competing for every available rental property.
Despite these favourable market conditions, the report suggests that an increasing number of landlords are questioning whether they want the growing responsibilities that come with managing rental property themselves.
Propertymark Identifies Shift Away from Self-Management
For many years, buy-to-let property has often been viewed as a relatively straightforward way to build wealth through real estate.
However, the role of a landlord has changed significantly.
Today’s self-managing landlord must navigate a growing list of responsibilities including tenant communications, maintenance coordination, rent collection, property inspections, compliance requirements, safety regulations, and ever-changing legislation.
The introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act has added another layer of complexity. As a result, many landlords appear to be reassessing whether self-management remains a practical option.
Propertymark’s findings suggest that increasing numbers have decided the answer is no. Instead, they are turning to professional letting agents to handle the operational side of running a rental property.
Professional Management Reduces Work, But Not Responsibility
Appointing a letting agent can certainly reduce the day-to-day workload associated with property ownership.
Tenant enquiries, maintenance issues, inspections, rent collection, and administrative tasks can all be delegated to a professional management company.
However, it is important to recognise that this does not make property ownership passive. The landlord still owns the property. The landlord still carries the financial risk.
The landlord remains responsible for major decisions, compliance obligations, maintenance expenditure, insurance arrangements, void periods, and the long-term performance of the investment.
In other words, a landlord using a letting agent is still very much a landlord. The workload may be reduced, but the responsibilities remain.
“Renters Rights Act is now really making the landlord reconsider letting when a notice is received from tenants. The automatic relet is now not automatic. Landlords are fed up with the constant legislation changes and worried by recent Government comments when the RRA became law.”
The Difference Between Being a Landlord and Being a Passive Investor
Propertymark’s latest report highlights an important distinction that is often overlooked – there is a significant difference between being a landlord and being a passive property investor.
Traditional buy-to-let ownership requires investors to take on the role of landlord, whether they manage the property personally or appoint a letting agent to assist them. Either way, the investor remains responsible for the property and the obligations that come with ownership.
At Find UK Property, we believe many investors are looking for something different. They are not necessarily seeking another job, another set of compliance obligations, or another asset that requires ongoing management.
They are looking for exposure to the UK property market through a genuinely hands-off investment approach.
The Renters’ Rights Act Is Highlighting a Longstanding Problem
The challenges facing landlords did not begin with the Renters’ Rights Act. The legislation has simply brought a longstanding issue into sharper focus.
Many investors enter the buy-to-let market expecting property investment to be passive. Over time, they discover that property ownership often demands far more involvement than anticipated.
The growing number of landlords now seeking professional management support demonstrates this reality. If property ownership were truly passive, there would be far less demand for management services.
Instead, Propertymark’s findings suggest that increasing numbers of landlords are actively looking for ways to reduce their involvement.
Passive Investing Starts With the Investment Model
The key lesson from Propertymark’s report is not simply that more landlords are using letting agents.
It is that investors are increasingly recognising the difference between active property ownership and passive property investment. A self-managing landlord is not a passive investor.
A landlord who appoints a letting agent is not necessarily a passive investor either. Both remain directly involved in the ownership and operation of the asset.
True passive investing begins with an investment model that is designed to minimise day-to-day involvement from the outset. That distinction is becoming increasingly important as regulation, compliance requirements, and operational responsibilities continue to grow.
What Propertymark’s Findings Mean for Investors
The UK rental market continues to benefit from strong tenant demand and a shortage of available housing. Those fundamentals remain attractive for investors.
However, Propertymark’s latest findings suggest that many landlords are becoming less willing to take on the growing workload associated with managing rental property themselves.
For a growing number of investors, the answer lies in seeking opportunities that provide exposure to the property market without requiring them to become active landlords.
Find UK Property was built around this principle. Rather than asking investors to source properties, oversee refurbishments, manage tenants, handle compliance issues, or navigate changing legislation, our approach is designed to provide a more hands-off route into UK property investment.
As the Renters’ Rights Act reshapes the sector, the distinction between active property ownership and passive property investment is likely to become increasingly important.
For self-managing landlords, the latest Propertymark report highlights the growing demands of direct property ownership.
For investors seeking a genuinely passive approach, it reinforces the importance of choosing an investment model that is designed to be hands-off from day one.
Sources
Propertymark Housing Insight Report, 16 June 2026:
Propertymark member feedback from Sussex, Staffordshire and the North West regarding landlord behaviour following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act.
Propertymark rental market data showing an average of seven prospective tenants competing for every available rental property.
