Landlords commit significant ‘sweat equity’ to their rentals, even when using letting agents, according to Mark Long, Founder of Pegasus Insight.
20th Feb 20260 460 1 minute read Simon Cairnes
Landlords are spending the equivalent of almost four working days each month managing their rental properties, revealing the increasing operational burden of buy-to-lets, says Mark Long (pictured), Founder and Managing Director at Pegasus Insight.
The specialist market research firm’s latest Landlord Trends report shows landlords now devote an average of 31 hours per month to property management — rising to 78 hours for those with portfolios of 11 or more homes, equivalent to nearly 10 working days.
Pegasus describes this workload as a form of “sweat equity”, arguing that rising regulation and compliance demands are pushing landlords further into day-to-day management.
For many landlords, particularly those operating at scale, portfolio management represents a significant monthly time commitment.”
Long says: “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.
“For many landlords, particularly those operating at scale, portfolio management represents a significant monthly time commitment.”
The report also reveals that using a letting agent does not significantly reduce the oversight requirements. While 57% of properties use some form of agent service, landlords report broadly similar time commitments regardless of outsourcing, with compliance, maintenance oversight and financial administration remaining their responsibility.
Large portfoliosTime input is highest among leveraged investors, HMO operators and larger portfolio landlords, where financing structures, licensing rules and property standards create additional layers of complexity.
According to the report, landlords estimate that between 23% and 24% of gross rental income is absorbed by running and maintenance costs.
Long says: “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 combination of rising time demands and ongoing cost pressures reinforces the fact that the private rented sector is becoming increasingly professionalised.”
Tagsmanagement fees 20th Feb 20260 460 1 minute read Simon Cairnes Share Facebook X LinkedIn Share via Email