Managing your own rental can look like an easy way to save money. But what happens when you factor in your time, maintenance, compliance and the risks you may not even know you’re carrying? Neil found out during his first year as a landlord.

A fresh coat of paint can help, but missing paperwork can delay a sale for months. Use August to prepare the information buyers and solicitors will need before an offer is agreed.

Your letting agent may have found the tenant, but the legal responsibility never leaves you. In this week's article, Katie explains why ongoing compliance is ultimately the landlord's job, what you're responsible for after move-in, and how full management helps protect both your property and your legal position.

A late-night maintenance emergency showed Claire that the real cost of self-managing wasn't just the repair bill. In this week's article, Katie explores the hidden cost of let-only management, why full management offers more than convenience, and why so many landlords wish they'd made the switch sooner.