By Leigh Young, Director of Elliot LeighThere is still a perception that letting property is passive, that landlords simply collect rent while their assets grow in value. As both a director of Elliot Leigh Guaranteed Rents and a portfolio landlord myself, I can say with confidence that this is not the reality.
Recent industry data by Pegasus shows landlords now spend an average of 31 hours per month managing their portfolios. For those with 11 or more properties, that rises to nearly 80 hours a month. That is close to two full working weeks! As a portfolio landlord myself and from the conversations I have with my peers, those figures feel accurate.
The Reality of Modern Landlord Life
As regulation tightens and operational standards rise, the demands on landlords continue to grow. Compliance, licensing, safety certification, tenant communication, financial oversight and maintenance coordination all require time and attention. Even landlords who use letting agents remain heavily involved. Oversight and accountability still sit with the owner.
For leveraged investors, HMO operators and those running larger portfolios, complexity increases further. Borrowing structures, licensing obligations and property standards all add layers of responsibility. So do the hours required to manage them.
Maintenance Is Often the Biggest Drain
One of the most time consuming and unpredictable areas is maintenance. It is not simply arranging repairs. It involves sourcing contractors, managing response times, overseeing standards, handling tenant expectations and dealing with emergencies outside of office hours.
When something goes wrong in the evening or at the weekend, it requires immediate action. For many landlords, this is where the idea of passive income quickly disappears. Having managed properties myself, I know how quickly a routine week can be derailed by one unexpected repair or late evening emergency call.
The Cost of Time and Complexity
Landlords estimate that almost a quarter of gross rental income is absorbed by running and maintenance costs. That does not account for the value of their own time, what some are now calling sweat equity.
In my view, this reflects a sector that is becoming more professional. Property has always rewarded those who treat it as a business. What has changed is the level of operational discipline now required to do it successfully.
Why Operational Support Matters
At Elliot Leigh Guaranteed Rents, we have invested in a 24/7 in-house maintenance team supported by a dedicated out of hours service. The goal is simple. Remove operational pressure from landlords.
When maintenance is handled internally with clear systems and immediate response capability, landlords are not fielding late night calls or chasing contractors across multiple properties. For professional and portfolio landlords, that certainty is increasingly valuable.
The private rented sector is not passive. It demands structure, systems and strategic oversight, and the landlords who continue to succeed are those who recognise that reality and build the right support around their portfolios.
