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What is Self-managing landlord?
Last verified 31 October 2026
A self-managing landlord lets and runs a property without a letting agent, dealing directly with tenants, repairs, paperwork and rent collection.
Why it matters to landlords
You take on every task an agent would do: finding tenants, collecting rent, arranging repairs, keeping certificates and records. The legal duties are yours either way. GOV.UK's PRS database guidance says individual landlords register themselves and provide the property details, certificates and tenancy information directly, and that a landlord who uses an agent remains responsible for meeting the requirements.
For tax, you do not pay letting or management fees, so there is no agent fee to claim, but HMRC says you can deduct costs such as repairs and maintenance, insurance, utilities, accountant's fees and business mileage if wholly and exclusively for the rental business. Good records matter more when you manage yourself, because nobody else holds the rent ledger, and under MTD those records feed your quarterly updates.
Example
Ben lets one house at £950 a month and manages it himself. He saves roughly £1,140 a year compared with a 10% agent fee, but keeps the gas certificate, deposit details and repair invoices. He claims £400 of mileage and £220 of insurance.