What Bristol Landlords Should Know About the Advantages of Going Fully Managed

What Bristol Landlords Should Know About the Advantages of Going Fully Managed 

This week, we'll look at the difference between let-only and fully managed letting services.

And we’ll also explore the added benefit of fully managed options now that the Renters' Rights Act is in place.

Let only and fully managed – the main differences

With let only, your letting agent markets your property, finds a tenant, manages the initial paperwork, including the tenancy and referencing, and collects the initial deposit and rent.

From there on, it's over to you. You liaise with the tenant, collect rent, handle maintenance, and deal with any problems that crop up.

With fully managed, your agent does all the above and provides wraparound care to look after your let going forward.

Your agent will liaise with your tenant, collect rent for you, oversee ongoing paperwork, sort out any maintenance, and handle any issues that arise. They’ll also keep you on the right side of rental laws.

With let only you pay a one-off fee. With fully managed, there's an ongoing monthly cost.

The advantages of being fully managed in 2026

Put simply, fully managed turns your property investment into a 'hands-off' investment.

With fully managed, you don't deal directly with tenants or contractors.

Fully managed frees you from routine admin. It saves you the hassle (and stress) of dealing with any problems that crop up.

Fully managed saves you time.

Fully managed also offers you a compliance solution. It helps you stay on the right side of the many legal responsibilities that come with being a landlord.

That's always been important. But it's more important than ever before, considering the Renters' Rights Act, which came into force this May.

Renters' Rights has introduced many more compliance responsibilities, new enforcement powers for local authorities and new penalties for getting things wrong.

Today, this is probably where the real value for money is in fully managed services.

Fully managed can help ensure your property marketing is compliant, bearing in mind the new rules on rental discrimination, rental bidding and the ban on rent in advance.

It can ensure all the correct paperwork is in place, including the new Assured Periodic Tenancy documentation, as well as tenancy deposit protection, Right to Rent and property safety certificates.

Fully managed can assist with key legal changes Renters' Rights has brought in, including the new procedure on rent rises and new rules for pets.

It will help you navigate the reformed Section 8 evictions process, should it be necessary.

In short, fully managed has always been an attractive option. But the new responsibilities brought in by the Renters' Rights Act make an even more compelling argument for this way of managing your investment.

Bear in mind that different letting agents offer varying services within their let-only or fully managed packages.

If you'd like to learn more about how our ethically based, fully managed service can make your life as a landlord easier, please call or message us.

Lettings Done Ethically

Many people don't trust letting agents. We're trying to fix that.

And that's why we are proud members of the Ethical Agent Network (EAN).

It's an independent body that checks our work against strict standards for honesty, service, and how we look after our clients, colleagues, and community.

We're the only agency locally that's passed the EAN bar, and we're assessed every six months to ensure our standards remain high.

So, if you're thinking of renting, switching letting agents, or want straight answers to your questions, talk to us.