Letting a property is a significant commitment. Whether you’re a first-time landlord or have a growing portfolio, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is how involved you want to be.
That usually means choosing between a let-only service – where you handle everything after the tenant moves in – or fully managed, where your agent takes care of the day-to-day for you.
There’s no one right answer. It depends on your time, experience, confidence, and what kind of landlord you want to be.
At Country Properties, we offer both – and we’re always happy to help you decide what’s best for your situation. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the pros and cons of each approach, so you can make a clear, confident choice.
What is let-only?
With a let-only service, your agent markets your property, finds a suitable tenant, carries out referencing, prepares the tenancy agreement, and gets everything set up for move-in day.
After that, it’s over to you. You’ll be the main point of contact for the tenant and will need to handle rent collection, property maintenance, legal compliance, inspections, renewals, and any issues that arise.
Let-only is often a more cost-effective option, but it also means more responsibility.
What is fully managed?
A fully managed service includes everything in let-only – but also covers the full day-to-day management of the tenancy.
Your agent will collect rent, deal with maintenance, carry out regular inspections, renew tenancies, manage deposits, and handle any problems or disputes that arise. If something goes wrong at 3am, it’s your agent, not you, who gets the call.
It’s a more hands-off approach – ideal for landlords who value time, peace of mind, or simply don’t live nearby.
Pros of let-only
Let-only services can work well for landlords who:
- Have the time and capacity to manage tenants directly
- Are experienced with current lettings legislation
- Live close to the property and can respond quickly to issues
- Want more control over decisions and repairs
- Are letting to long-standing or known tenants
For some landlords, the appeal of let-only is the independence it offers. You stay in the loop and keep direct relationships with your tenants – which can work well if everything runs smoothly.
It can also save money in the short term, as you won’t pay a monthly management fee.
Cons of let-only
That said, let-only isn’t for everyone. It can be more demanding than it first seems.
You’ll need to stay on top of ever-changing legislation, including safety checks, deposit protection, and compliance with local and national rules.
You’ll also need to manage your time carefully. Responding to tenant queries, chasing rent payments, and arranging emergency repairs can become overwhelming – especially if you have multiple properties or other commitments.
And if something goes wrong – for example, a tenant stops paying rent or a legal notice is needed – you’ll be responsible for navigating the process correctly.
Pros of fully managed
Fully managed is a popular choice with landlords who want less stress and more support.
It’s ideal if:
- You live far from the property
- You have a busy job or other priorities
- You want a professional to handle all legal compliance
- You prefer a buffer between you and the tenant
- You’re building a portfolio and need scalable support
With full management, you get peace of mind that your property – and your tenant – is being looked after properly.
You’ll receive regular updates but won’t need to handle day-to-day admin. If there’s a problem, we’ll deal with it – and you’ll be kept informed every step of the way.
Cons of fully managed
The main downside of fully managed is the cost. Monthly fees can vary depending on the level of service and size of your property – though many landlords see this as a worthwhile investment for the time and hassle it saves.
It also means trusting someone else to make decisions on your behalf. That’s why choosing the right agent matters. You need a team who understands your property, your priorities, and your expectations.
At Country Properties, we pride ourselves on working with landlords in a transparent and respectful way. You stay in control – we just take care of the details.
How to choose the right option
To decide what’s right for you, ask yourself:
- Do I have the time to manage a property properly?
- Am I confident with current landlord laws and compliance?
- What would I do if something went wrong – or became urgent?
- Do I want to be hands-on, or hands-off?
- How important is peace of mind?
For many first-time landlords, fully managed offers reassurance and support at a time when there’s lots to learn. For experienced landlords, it’s about reducing workload and risk.
And for those who want a bit of both? We can tailor a service that sits somewhere in the middle – giving you the support you need, where you need it most.
Why landlords choose Country Properties
We’ve been working with landlords across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and beyond for over 40 years. Whether you choose let-only or full management, you’ll get a team that’s:
- Professional, knowledgeable, and proactive
- Fully up to date with lettings legislation
- Focused on your best interests, not just the quick win
- Backed by tried and tested contractors
- Calm, courteous, and committed to getting things right
We offer a complete lettings service – from tenant find to property management – and tailor everything to suit your needs. You’ll never be passed around, and you’ll always know who to speak to.
Let’s talk about your next step
If you’re thinking of letting out a property – or wondering whether it’s time to switch from let-only to fully managed – we’d be happy to talk it through with you.
There’s no pressure, and no hard sell. Just a conversation to help you feel clear, informed, and in control.
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