Let Only or Fully Managed? An Honest Guide for Stockport and Manchester Landlords
Let only or fully managed? An honest look at both landlord services, what you’re responsible for under the Renters’ Rights Act, and how to choose the right one.
The right letting service gives you two things: a good tenant who looks after your property, and your evenings and weekends back. The wrong one can leave you chasing repairs, rent and paperwork you never signed up for.
There’s no single right answer. Some landlords love being hands-on. Others want to own property without it owning them. Here’s an honest look at both options, so you can decide what genuinely suits you.
What does a let only service include?
With let only, we find and set up your tenant, then hand the day-to-day running of the tenancy over to you.
What we do
- Advise on the right rent for your property
- Market your property with professional photos and a compelling description
- Arrange and carry out viewings
- Reference applicants, including credit checks and digital ID verification
- Prepare the tenancy agreement and the paperwork that must be given at the start
- Arrange the deposit or a deposit replacement through our partner, Zero Deposit
What you do afterwards
- Collect rent and chase any arrears
- Handle repairs, maintenance and out-of-hours emergencies
- Keep safety certificates up to date
- Carry out inspections
- Manage rent reviews, notices and any disputes, following the correct legal process
Who let only suits
- Experienced landlords who know lettings law inside out
- Landlords who live nearby and have reliable tradespeople on call
- Anyone who enjoys the hands-on side and has the time for it
The honest downside
You save on fees, but you carry all the responsibility and all the legal risk. If you miss a deadline or serve the wrong notice, the consequences are yours.
What does a fully managed service include?
With full management, we find your tenant and then look after the property and the tenancy for you, from the first viewing to the final check-out.
Everything in let only, plus
- Rent collection and arrears management, with client money protected through Client Money Protect and held under TLP Assured
- Arranging repairs and maintenance with trusted local tradespeople
- Tracking and renewing safety certificates before they expire
- Regular check-ins with your tenants, including our 90-day health checks
- A full photographic inspection every year, so you can see exactly how your property is looking
- Handling rent reviews, notices and compliance changes the right way
- Managing check-out and the return of deposits
Who full management suits
- Busy professionals who don’t have time to take calls about boilers
- Landlords who live further away, including investors buying in Stockport or Manchester City Centre from elsewhere
- Accidental landlords letting a home they used to live in
- Anyone who wants the peace of mind that compliance is handled properly
The honest downside
It costs more than let only. For many landlords, the time saved and the risk removed make it well worth it, but it’s a decision only you can make.
Why compliance matters more than ever
Being a landlord has never been more regulated, and the rules are still changing.
The Renters’ Rights Act is already here
The first and biggest phase of the Renters’ Rights Act 2025 came into force in England on 1 May 2026. It changed the way every private tenancy works.
- Section 21 has gone. Landlords can no longer end a tenancy without a reason. Possession now relies on specific legal grounds, with evidence.
- Tenancies are now periodic. Existing assured shorthold tenancies converted automatically, and no new fixed-term ASTs can be started.
- Rent increases follow a set process. Increases are limited and must use the correct formal notice.
- No rental bidding. Landlords and agents must not ask for or accept offers above the advertised rent.
- Pet requests. Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse a tenant’s request to keep a pet.
- Paperwork deadlines. Existing tenants had to receive the government’s information sheet by 31 May 2026.
Councils also have stronger enforcement powers, with civil penalties of up to £40,000 for some breaches.
What’s coming next
- A national landlord database. Registration will be mandatory, with an annual fee, rolling out from late 2026.
- A landlord ombudsman. Membership will be compulsory once the database is fully running, giving tenants a route to resolve complaints without going to court.
The everyday essentials
On top of the new rules, every landlord still needs to stay on top of gas safety certificates, electrical safety checks, an up-to-date EPC, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, deposit protection, Right to Rent checks and repairs that keep the home safe and free of damp and mould.
If you’re on let only, all of that sits with you. On full management, we track it for you.
A quick way to decide
Ask yourself these four questions:
- Do I have time to answer a tenant’s call at 9pm on a Sunday?
- Am I confident I understand the Renters’ Rights Act and the correct way to increase rent or regain possession?
- Do I have reliable tradespeople I can call quickly?
- Would I rather spend my time growing my portfolio than managing it?
If you answered yes to the first three, let only could work well for you. If you hesitated, full management is worth a closer look.
Whichever you choose, start with the right tenant
Good tenants are the foundation of a stress-free tenancy. That’s why every applicant goes through thorough referencing with Let Alliance, and why we offer rent guarantee insurance for landlords who want an extra layer of protection.
Whether you’re a Stockport investor drawn by the town’s regeneration, a city centre landlord with a professional let, or a suburban landlord with one or two well-loved homes, we’ll match the service to you.
Not sure which service is right for you?
Book a complimentary rental yield and compliance review. We’ll tell you what your property could let for, check where you stand under the new rules, and recommend the service that fits. No pressure, no obligation.
Or Book a rental valuation call to talk through your property or portfolio.
Ann is a qualified Propertymark member. Durrell & Joe is a member of Client Money Protect (CMP015593) and the Property Redress Scheme (PRS060176).
