The Top 5 Landlord Challenges in Merseyside (and How to Solve Them)

Owning rental properties in Merseyside can be rewarding, but landlords here also face their share of headaches. With tightening regulations, tenant expectations rising, and profitability under pressure, knowing exactly how to handle these challenges is vital for your success.

Today, we're exploring the five biggest issues facing Merseyside landlords—and most importantly, how to effectively overcome them.

1. High Tenant Turnover and Void Periods

Tenant turnover can quickly drain profitability, creating costly void periods where your property generates no income.

Solution:

• Offer longer-term tenancy agreements to quality tenants.

• Invest in small, tenant-friendly improvements (e.g., fresh paint, modern fittings, upgraded broadband) to encourage renewals.

• Consider rent-to-rent agreements for guaranteed income without turnover concerns.

2. Stricter EPC Regulations (Grade C Requirement by 2028)

Upcoming EPC requirements mean significant financial pressure, especially for landlords with older Southport properties needing expensive energy-efficiency upgrades.

Solution:

• Arrange energy assessments early to plan necessary upgrades.

• Explore grants or funding available locally for energy improvements.

• Consider lease purchase or rent-to-rent, shifting upgrade responsibilities to property partners.

3. Increasing Legislative Pressure (Renters Reform Bill)

With the Renters Reform Bill abolishing Section 21 evictions and increasing tenant rights, landlords face more compliance and administrative responsibilities than ever.

Solution:

• Update tenancy agreements and processes immediately to ensure compliance.

• Outsource property management or adopt strategies like lease purchase to reduce your regulatory burden and stress.

4. Rising Interest Rates Affecting Mortgage Costs

Higher mortgage rates are squeezing margins for Merseyside landlords, especially those with variable or tracker mortgages.

Solution:

• Review your current mortgage products and consider fixed-rate deals if feasible.

• Explore alternative strategies such as guaranteed-rent models to stabilise income despite rising costs.

5. Property Maintenance and Rising Costs

Inflation and supply-chain issues mean maintaining properties to a high standard is becoming increasingly costly and challenging.

Solution:

• Build relationships with reliable local tradespeople for cost-effective maintenance.

• Regularly inspect properties to proactively address maintenance issues before they escalate.

• Use rent-to-rent or lease-purchase models to shift maintenance responsibilities to trusted local property professionals.

How Wildegrove Property Can Help Southport Landlords

At Wildegrove Property, we’re fellow Merseyside landlords and investors. We fully understand your challenges and offer practical, profitable solutions:

• Guaranteed rent agreements (rent-to-rent) to eliminate void periods and reduce your daily management stress.

• Lease purchase agreements providing clear exit strategies, freeing you from costly EPC upgrades and ongoing maintenance costs.

• Off-market property sales for landlords seeking discreet, hassle-free transactions without agent fees.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Being a landlord in Merseyside doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By recognising these challenges early and choosing the right strategies, you can safeguard your investment and continue earning reliable income.

Facing these landlord challenges and want a stress-free, profitable solution?

Contact Wildegrove Property today for a confidential, no-obligation discussion on how we can help you navigate these hurdles successfully.