New research has highlighted the mounting pressures landlords face, from costly repairs to tenant disputes over responsibility. With the UK rental market at an all-time high, landlords are expected to invest more in property upkeep than ever before.
Landlords paying more for essential repairs
According to the latest survey, the average UK landlord now spends £1,374.07 per year on maintenance—£285 more per year compared to 2022. Regional disparities persist, with Edinburgh emerging as the most expensive city for maintenance, followed by Newcastle and Glasgow. London, once the costliest city for landlords, has now dropped to sixth place.
Among the most expensive repairs:
· Roof damage - £906 on average (needed once every three years)
· Electrical issues - £665 annually (at least once a year)
· Heating problems - £655 annually (at least once a year)
Tenant disputes on the rise
A growing source of stress for landlords is disputes with tenants over repair responsibilities. The survey reveals that nearly 60% of landlords have had disagreements with tenants over maintenance, a sharp rise from 48.5% in 2022. The cost-of-living crisis and increasing rental prices have led to heightened expectations from tenants, further escalating these conflicts.
The rising costs of property damage
Beyond standard maintenance, landlords are also grappling with surging damage repair costs. The survey found that the average cost of repairing damage has skyrocketed by 121%, from £473 in 2022 to £1,043 in 2024. The most expensive causes of damage include:
· Theft damage – £1,128 per year, with Southampton, Leeds, and Liverpool reporting the highest costs.
· Fire damage – the second costliest repair issue.
· Heatwave damage – increasingly becoming a financial concern for landlords.
DIY repairs: A costly gamble?
With costs rising, many landlords attempt DIY repairs to save money, but this often backfires. 53% of UK landlords have attempted to fix property damage themselves, yet 43% regret it due to poor results, further damage, or tenant complaints. Alarmingly, 46% of landlords who tried DIY solutions later had to pay professionals to redo the work, often at a higher cost.
Landlord insurance: A growing necessity
The research also found a dramatic drop in uninsured landlords. In 2022, 20% of landlords lacked insurance, but in 2024, this has plummeted to just 3.8%. However, this still leaves over 100,000 landlords financially vulnerable to unforeseen damages.
Katie Delamain-Blunt, Head of Marketing at Towergate Direct, stresses the importance of being covered, “There is no legal requirement for landlord insurance, but with repair costs rising and disputes increasing, it’s a critical safeguard. Landlord insurance can protect against financial losses from theft, fire, or weather damage, and even cover loss of rent. With the landscape of renting changing rapidly, ensuring you have the right policy in place is more important than ever,”
