Self-Managing Your Rental Property - The Most Expensive Way to Save Money?
Think managing your rental property yourself is cheaper? One missed safety check, late payment or legal slip can cost some serious money. Legislation is getting tougher and tenants are getting wiser which means that the letting agent fees that you consider to be an unnecessary cost, may be the best investment you could possibly make...
A letting agent writing a blog about why landlords should use a letting agent... not exactly astonishing is it?
Well, give it a few minutes of your time and see if the argument is at all compelling!
“How hard can it be?” You find a tenant, hand over the keys, collect the rent, and everyone lives happily ever after… right?
Not quite.
What used to be a relatively simple process is now a web of legal obligations, safety checks, and fast-changing legislation. Self-managing a property may seem like a way to save on fees, but it often ends up costing more in fines, time, and stress.
That’s why more landlords are turning to Cope & Co. - not just as a letting agent, but as a trusted partner that safeguards your investment, protects your legal position, and gives you back your time.
Legal Compliance - Avoid the Penalties, Protect Your Investment
Lets start with the obvious; compliance. The rental landscape has evolved into a legal minefield. Between new rules, stricter enforcement, and the upcoming Renters Rights Act, landlords are under more scrutiny than ever.
We ensure that every property and tenancy we manage is fully compliant with the latest legislation, including:
⚠️ Tenant Fees Act 2019 – bans most tenant fees, caps deposits, and regulates holding deposits.
⚠️ Tenancy Deposit Protection Regulations – deposits must be registered within 30 days.
⚠️ Housing Act 1988 / Housing Act 2004 – core laws governing tenancy structure and possession rights.
⚠️ Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 – requires landlords to keep properties safe and in good repair.
⚠️ Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 – annual gas safety checks.
⚠️ Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 – mandatory electrical inspections (EICR).
⚠️ Energy Efficiency Regulations (2015 & 2018) – minimum EPC standards for rental properties.
⚠️ Immigration Act 2016 – Right to Rent checks.
⚠️ Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 & Consumer Rights Act 2015 – clear, transparent communication with tenants.
⚠️ Data Protection Act 2018 / GDPR – lawful handling of tenant data.
⚠️ Housing and Planning Act 2016 – rogue landlord provisions and enforcement.
How do you fancy that lot as your chosen, specialised subject on Mastermind?
Failure to comply with any of these can result in both some pretty eye-watering fines, or the loss of your right to get possession of your property without a long, drawn out legal process.
We monitor every legal update, ensuring you’re always compliant, protected, and one step ahead.
Tenant Quality and Rent Reliability
The right tenant makes all the difference. We use robust referencing, affordability checks, credit scoring, and rental history verification to ensure that your tenants are reliable, respectful, and financially stable.
This drastically reduces the risk of arrears, damage, or early tenancy termination, and ensures your rental income stays consistent. With professional management, it's not just about filling a property, it's about protecting your investment.
Day-to-Day Management — Less Stress, More Freedom
Late-night plumbing emergencies. Chasing rent. Coordinating repairs. Mediating tenant queries. When you self-manage, your phone never stops ringing. At Cope & Co., we take care of everything:
Rent collection and arrears management
Maintenance coordination and emergency repairs
Routine inspections and compliance audits
Tenant communication and dispute resolution
We’re the middle ground between you and the midnight drama! You can focus on your day job, your family, or your next investment.
Market Expertise and Maximising Your Property’s Return
We combine local expertise, data-driven pricing, and strategic marketing to help every property reach its full earning potential. Here’s how:
✅ Accurate Rent Appraisals: We analyse real-time market data across Derbyshire to set the ideal rent level; high enough to maximise yield, yet realistic enough to minimise void periods.
✅ Professional Presentation: High-quality marketing, photography, and listings attract better tenants faster, reducing downtime between lets.
✅ Proactive Rent Reviews: We regularly assess market conditions and recommend annual rent adjustments that keep your property performing in line with inflation and demand.
✅ Void Reduction Strategies: From pre-advertising renewals to managing swift turnarounds, our systems ensure your property rarely sits empty.
✅ Maintenance Planning: Preventative upkeep keeps your property in top shape, protects long-term value, and helps justify higher rental pricing.
✅ Tenant Retention: We prioritise communication and fair treatment which helps to keep good tenants longer, reducing costly turnover.
The result? Stronger yields, steadier income, and fewer surprises.
The Renters Rights Act - We’re Already Prepared!
The Renters Rights Act will reshape how landlords manage tenancies, including the abolition of Section 21 evictions and increased compliance demands.
At Cope & Co., we’re ahead of the curve, advising landlords, updating tenancy documentation, and preparing properties now to avoid last-minute chaos later.
Peace of Mind and Partnership
With Cope & Co., you’re not just getting a letting agent. You’re gaining a partner who lives by the values that drive every decision we make. We combine local expertise with genuine care, giving you confidence that your property, tenants, and compliance are all being handled professionally.
Managing a property shouldn’t feel like a second job and with Cope & Co., it doesn’t have to.
Proactive and Innovative Thinking - Epitomised by LetSimple
The rental market evolves fast, and so do we. At Cope & Co., we believe property management should be smart, simple, and stress-free, which is why we developed LetSimple, our innovative landlord solution designed for the modern market.
It’s proactive management powered by innovation, giving landlords clarity, consistency, and control without the complexity. While others react to problems, we anticipate them, using systems and insight to keep your property performing and your tenants happy.
Final Word
Self-managing might look cheaper on paper, but one mistake can cost far more than a management fee ever would.
Choose Cope & Co. for professional management that protects your property, your income, and your peace of mind.
Well... are you convinced?
