Landlords in the UK are spending an average of 31 hours per month managing their rental properties, equivalent to nearly four working days, according to new research from specialist market research firm Pegasus Insight.
The firm’s latest Landlord Trends report found that those with larger portfolios face significantly higher time commitments, with landlords owning 11 or more properties spending 78 hours monthly on management tasks—nearly 10 working days.
Agent involvement offers limited relief
The research challenges assumptions that property letting is a passive income stream. Mark Long, Founder and Managing Director at Pegasus Insight, stated: “There is often a perception that letting property is a relatively passive activity, that landlords just sit back and let the cash roll in. But the data tells a different story.”
Despite 57% of properties using some form of agent service, the report found that landlords report broadly similar time commitments regardless of whether they outsource management. Compliance requirements, maintenance oversight and financial administration remain the landlord’s responsibility even when agents are employed.
Cost and complexity factors
Time commitments are highest among leveraged investors, HMO (house in multiple occupation) operators and larger portfolio landlords, where financing structures, licensing rules and property standards create additional administrative layers.
The report also found that landlords estimate between 23% and 24% of gross rental income is absorbed by running and maintenance costs.
Long noted: “Larger landlords, those whose properties are financed using a mortgage and those operating HMOs, are naturally exposed to greater complexity, and that is reflected in the hours they invest.”
The findings suggest the private rented sector is becoming increasingly professionalised as regulatory and compliance demands continue to rise, with implications for smaller landlords who may lack the capacity to absorb the additional time burden.