For many landlords, DIY management feels like the most cost-effective option. You pick the tenant, you collect the rent, you stay in control.
But the reality of today’s rental market is very different. Rising arrears, tighter regulation under the Renters’ Rights Act, and a fast-moving market mean that how your property is managed has a direct impact on your return on investment (ROI).
It’s no surprise that 7 in 10 DIY landlords say they would switch to a managing agent if the ROI case were clear. This article sets out that case, using real numbers, the latest rules, and Hunters’ data-led approach.
Related: Guide to letting
The Real Cost of Arrears
Arrears are now one of the biggest threats to landlord returns.
- 45% of landlords report experiencing arrears
- For 27%, the arrears process drags on more than six months, tying up cash flow
- 28% lose over £1,000 in missed rent, legal costs and time
- 94% say arrears are stressful, highlighting the emotional as well as financial impact
When arrears run on for months, yields fall, mortgage commitments become harder to meet, and plans to remortgage or reinvest are pushed back. DIY landlords often carry this risk alone, without the systems or back-up that a professional management service provides.
With a fully managed service, arrears are handled within a clear framework, from early communication to formal action. That doesn’t just protect income; it protects your time, headspace and long-term strategy.
Rent Reviews Under the Renters’ Rights Act
One of the simplest ways to protect ROI is to keep rents aligned with the market, but under the Renters’ Rights Act, how you do that becomes just as important as how often.
Under the new regime, rent increases are expected to be:
- Limited to once a year, and
- Subject to a clear, formal process that can be challenged if it’s not seen as fair or evidence-based.
That means:
- You can’t rely on ad-hoc, informal rent rises anymore
- You will need market data and a written justification to defend increases
- Poorly handled rent reviews could damage relationships and risk challenge via the Ombudsman or tribunal
Related: Letting your property with Hunters
Renters’ Rights Act: Why DIY Just Got Riskier
The Renters’ Rights Act is the biggest change to the private rented sector in decades. It is being introduced in phases and will fundamentally reshape how tenancies are set up, managed and ended.
For landlords, the key themes are:
- End of ‘no fault’ evictions – you’ll no longer be able to regain possession under Section 21. Instead, you’ll need to rely on specific grounds, such as selling, moving back in or serious rent arrears.
- Move to periodic tenancies – fixed-term ASTs will become rolling tenancies, making timing and paperwork even more important.
- Tighter rules on rent increases – rent rises are likely to be limited to once a year, via a clear process that can be challenged if seen as excessive.
- More enforcement and oversight – stronger powers for local authorities, a national landlord database and an Ombudsman mean your paperwork, processes and arrears handling must stand up to scrutiny.
For DIY landlords, that means:
- More to keep track of
- Higher stakes if you get the process or timing wrong
- A greater need to document everything you do
For landlords using a professional managing agent, it’s an opportunity to de-risk. A good agent updates their systems, documentation and communications in line with the new rules and helps keep you compliant while still protecting your ROI.
How Going Fully Managed and Rent Guarantee Protect Your ROI
Under the Renters’ Rights Act, it’s not just what you charge, but how you handle rent reviews and arrears counts. Our fully managed service builds in compliant annual reviews using local market data, handles increases through the correct legal process, and keeps everything documented and clearly communicated, so you stay compliant and avoid unnecessary disputes or arrears.
It also strengthens prevention from day one with affordability checks, credit screening, clear arrears steps and organised maintenance and compliance. Add a rent guarantee on top and, if a tenant stops paying, your income, legal costs and mortgage commitments are far better protected, turning rent collection from a personal risk into a managed, lower-risk system.
Hunters’ Portfolio ROI Review
Hunters’ structured, data-led Portfolio ROI Review gives you a clear snapshot of how your properties are performing now and where there’s potential to improve.
Yield health check
We compare your current rents and yields with local benchmarks to highlight underperforming properties and where simple changes, including going fully managed, could lift returns.
Capital growth & market position
We use local price and demand trends to show which properties have stronger growth potential and which may be better suited to refinancing, improvement or disposal.
Compliance & Renters’ Rights Act readiness
We review your documentation, tenancy structures and processes against key legal and safety requirements, flagging any gaps and how professional management can close them.
Upgrade & risk-reduction roadmap
We outline practical steps to increase income, reduce arrears and voids, improve tenant quality and identify where fully managed with rent guarantee is likely to add the most value.
Ready to See the Difference in Black and White?
If you’re a DIY landlord who’d consider using an agent if the numbers add up, Hunters’ Portfolio ROI Review can give you a clear answer. It shows the real impact of arrears and missed rent reviews, explains how changes like the Renters’ Rights Act could affect your plans, and highlights where full management and rent guarantee could better protect and grow your returns. Speak to your local Hunters office to book your review and turn DIY guesswork into data-led decisions.
