Get 40 Hours of Your Month Back: Why More Landlords Are Handing Over the Keys
New research shows two thirds of rental homes now use a letting agent, the highest share in two years. Landlords who hand over management spend 11 hours a month on their rentals, compared with 51 hours for those going it alone. Here's what that means for you.
If being a landlord has started to feel like a second job, you're not imagining it. And you're certainly not alone.
New research from Pegasus Insight, carried out among members of the National Residential Landlords Association, shows that 66% of rental properties in England and Wales now use a letting agent in some form. That's a two year high, up from 61% at the start of 2026 and 62% this time last year.
The biggest shift is in full management. A quarter of rental properties (25%) are now fully managed by an agent, up from 20% just one quarter earlier. That's a big jump in a short space of time, and it tells us something about how landlords are feeling right now.
What's behind the change?
In a word: regulation.
The Renters' Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, and it changed a lot in one go. Section 21 "no fault" evictions have ended, so landlords now need a valid legal reason to regain possession. Fixed term tenancies have gone, with most tenancies becoming rolling periodic agreements. Rent can usually only be increased once a year, bidding wars are banned, and tenants can now request to keep a pet, which landlords can only refuse with good reason. Landlords with existing tenancies also had to serve the official government Information Sheet by 31 May.
None of this makes letting a bad idea. But it does mean the paperwork, the processes and the legal detail all need to be right. The director of Pegasus Insight summed it up well, noting that being a landlord has become an increasingly demanding responsibility and that it's no surprise more landlords are looking for professional support with the day to day running of their homes.
The number that really stands out
Here's the bit we think every landlord should know.
On average, landlords spend 33 hours a month looking after their rentals. But that figure changes dramatically depending on how the property is run:
• Managing it yourself: 51 hours a month
• Using full management: 11 hours a month
That's a difference of 40 hours every single month. Across a year, it adds up to around 480 hours, or the equivalent of 12 working weeks.
Portfolio size matters too. Landlords with one to five properties spend around 18 hours a month on management, while those with 11 or more properties spend around 83 hours.
Think about what you'd do with that time back. More time for your work, your family, or simply growing your portfolio rather than chasing contractors and diarising certificate renewals.
How landlords are using agents
Not everyone wants the same level of support, and the research reflects that:
• 25% of rental properties use full management
• 34% use an agent to find tenants only
• 6% use an agent to find tenants and collect rent
• 34% are managed without an agent
Interestingly, landlords with larger mortgaged portfolios are a little more likely to manage things themselves. Among landlords with four or more buy to let mortgages, 39% of properties are self managed. That group is also far more likely to be landlording full time (37%, compared with 13% of those with one to three mortgages), so for many of them it genuinely is their day job.
For everyone else, juggling a rental alongside a career and a busy life, the case for getting help is getting stronger.
So, should you switch to full management?
It depends on you, your property and how much time you want to give it. Some landlords love being hands on. Others simply want peace of mind that everything is compliant and their tenants are looked after properly.
A good agent should take care of things like:
• Finding and referencing the right tenant
• Collecting rent and chasing arrears
• Keeping gas safety, electrical and EPC certificates up to date
• Arranging repairs and handling emergencies
• Regular property inspections
• Making sure notices, rent increases and paperwork follow the new rules
One thing worth remembering: even when an agent carries out these tasks, the legal responsibility still sits with the landlord. That's why choosing an agent you can trust matters just as much as choosing to use one.
Thinking about buying to let?
If you're a buyer weighing up an investment property, don't let the new rules put you off. Demand for good rental homes in London remains strong, and with the right support in place, letting can still be a rewarding long term investment. It just pays to go in with a clear plan for how the property will be managed from day one.
The good news
Letting property has changed, but it hasn't become any less worthwhile. What's changed is that doing it well takes more knowledge and more time than it used to. The landlords getting the most out of their investments are the ones who've recognised that and put the right support around them.
At GLP, we've been helping London landlords since 2003, and we offer everything from a tenant find service through to full management. If you'd like to talk through which option suits you, or you'd just like a second opinion on whether your current setup is ready for the new rules, we'd love to hear from you.
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