Making the most out of your property portfolio

The current economic landscape is a challenging one, including for landlords who have a lot on their plates. From securing tenants, managing upkeep and repair and rising costs, as well as keeping up to date with changing regulations.

Despite this, our research of 500 UK-based landlords* suggests that 68% of landlords plan on growing their portfolio in 2025. With so much potential growth on the cards, what are the best tools to make the most of your portfolio?

Where are landlords looking to grow?

According to our research, of the 68% of landlords looking to grow their portfolios this year, 37% are based in London — meaning the capital is a real opportunity for competition and expansion.

This is followed by landlords in the North West, at 10% and — in joint third — landlords in the South East and the West Midlands, at 9%.

It’s not just residential properties that landlords are looking at. Our survey reveals that 50% of landlords said a mix of commercial and residential properties is the best portfolio combination.

So with all this potential growth, how can you make the most of your portfolio?

1. Connect with trusted trades

According to the landlords we spoke to, the number one challenge they face is property maintenance and repairs, with 59% saying it’s their biggest challenge.

Alongside this, a quarter of the tradespeople we spoke to said finding work was their biggest challenge. So, having a good relationship with a local tradesperson can make all the difference, speeding up ad hoc repair requirements and having regular preemptive maintenance. Prevention, as they say, is better than cure and can often be cheaper in the long run.

Check out the top five maintenance skills every landlord needs.

You may also want to consider adding landlords’ home emergency cover to your existing landlords' insurance. This could provide peace of mind, knowing that your property is protected against unexpected risks that require a fast response.

2. Keep up to date with regulations

Having a trusted tradesperson you can call on could also help you align with present and future regulations.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rules, for example, or the new Renters’ Rights Bill which is on the horizon. This new bill is due to come into effect in early October 2025 and aims to offer more protections for private renters.

The Renters’ Rights Bill looks to abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and also extends the time rent can be in arrears — from two months to three months — before landlords can evict tenants.

As half of the landlords we surveyed said a mix of commercial and residential properties is the best portfolio mix, and if you are considering diversifying your portfolio you should remember that different properties come with different regulations and standards.

The health and safety requirements for commercial properties are different to residential properties — such as a reasonable temperature, ventilation and lighting — and they should ensure they are sufficiently in line with regulations and appropriate cover.

One way to make managing a mix of property types more efficiently is by researching multi-property insurance. This cover is designed for investor landlords with diverse portfolios, including commercial, residential and combined properties, with a multi-property saving of up to 17.5% on their residential property premium, and 5% off their commercial property premium.

To add another layer of protection, you might consider protecting your portfolio income by exploring options like rent guarantee insurance, which is designed to cover many cash flow interruption scenarios.

3. Think about tenants

Whether commercial or residential, your tenants are key to making your portfolio profitable. Whether you’re dealing with student lets and HMOs, or you’re renting to families and businesses, keeping your tenants at the heart of what you do is important.

Understanding your responsibilities as a landlord as well as the rights afforded to you, can certainly make your job a lot easier. You’ll also certainly want to understand the rules around dealing with rent deposits.

Finally, you may want to consider letting to people with pets. In 2024, an estimated 51% of UK adults owned a pet, yet only 7% of landlords welcome a pet into their properties.

A recent study commissioned by Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, shows that renting to pet owners could actually be worth £3,800, with the financial benefits to landlords exceeding pet-related costs over 12 years.

4. Think about tenants

While landlord insurance isn’t mandated by law, it can be hugely beneficial. From storms to unruly tenants, a pest infestation to a broken window or burst pipes, you never know what each day might bring managing your property empire.

At Superscript, we understand the ups and downs of renting property. Whether you're the owner of residential or commercial rental properties, each landlord requires an insurance policy that's right for them — a string of commercial properties, for example, aren't likely to have the same risks as a single residential let.

To make sure you're covered for the risks most associated with your needs as a landlord, you might want to consider insurance that you can alter to your requirements. That's why we offer cover which allows you to tailor your protection and only pay for what you need.

*Superscript surveyed 500 landlords across Wales and England via Attest.

You may also like:

• 7 ways for landlords to reduce costs
• A landlord’s guide to rental yield
• The landlord’s guide to success