7 Common Landlord Mistakes That Cost You Money in Greater Manchester (and How to Avoid Them)
Being a landlord in Greater Manchester can be a smart way to build income and wealth — but it’s not without its pitfalls. At Let Me Manchester, we work with landlords across the region every day who are unknowingly leaving money on the table, risking compliance issues, or dealing with avoidable tenant problems.
This guide covers the 7 most common mistakes we see — and what you can do differently.
1. Leaving Voids Unplanned
Every day a room or property is empty is lost income.
The Mistake: Waiting until a tenant moves out before advertising or preparing the property.
The Fix: Start marketing 2–3 weeks before a tenancy ends, and have trusted decorators and cleaners on standby. We’ve helped landlords in areas like Levenshulme, Salford and Prestwich keep rooms filled with little to no downtime.
2. Going Cheap on Trades and Maintenance
The Mistake: Using the cheapest contractor to save a few pounds — only to get call-backs, delays, and bigger problems later.
The Fix: Use reliable, qualified tradespeople who show up, do the job right, and understand local licensing requirements in Greater Manchester boroughs like Bury, Rochdale and Tameside.
3. Not Keeping Up with Compliance
The Mistake: Assuming your property is “probably fine” or forgetting renewal dates.
The Fix: Keep a compliance calendar and make sure you have:
- Gas Safety Certificate (annual)
- EICR (every 5 years)
- EPC (minimum E rating)
- Fire safety measures up to spec
- Right to Rent and deposit protection in place
Each local council in Greater Manchester has its own approach to HMO enforcement — so staying ahead of your legal obligations is critical.
4. Overpricing or Underpricing Rent
The Mistake: Setting rent based on what you want, not what the market supports.
The Fix: Use up-to-date local data to price competitively. In areas like Swinton or Eccles, setting the rent £50 too high can result in weeks of lost rent. We offer free local rent reviews — just ask.
5. Poor Quality Marketing
The Mistake: Blurry photos, minimal descriptions, no floorplans — and wondering why no one’s calling.
The Fix: Invest in professional photos and write listings that highlight key features tenants actually care about (Wi-Fi, parking, transport links, layout). This is especially important in a competitive rental market like Manchester’s.
6. Letting to the Wrong Tenant
The Mistake: Rushing to fill a vacancy without full checks.
The Fix: Always vet tenants properly — including credit checks, references, affordability checks, and Right to Rent. The wrong tenant in a shared house in Moss Side or Longsight can cause more damage than a month’s void.
7. Trying to Do Everything Yourself
The Mistake: Managing your own property without systems, contacts, or support — especially if you don’t live locally.
The Fix: A good letting agent (like us 👋) will save you time, protect your investment, and reduce stress. We know the Greater Manchester rental market inside-out — from HMO licensing to local trades to tenant expectations.
Ready to Level Up as a Greater Manchester Landlord?
Avoiding these common mistakes isn’t just about saving money — it’s about protecting your investment and staying sane.
Want a free, no-obligation property review? We’ll look at your current setup and tell you what’s working — and what could work better.
📩 Contact Let Me Manchester today and let’s talk about how we can help.
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