If you have managed your own rental property for years, you probably already have a routine that works. We’re not going to tell you to change it.
But September is a good point in the year to spend half an hour checking whether the property, rent and tenancy are still working as well as the system you’ve built around them.
The local market has moved. Across Warwick district, average private rent reached £1,241 per month in August 2026, 1.9% higher than a year earlier. The average varies significantly by property size, from £883 for a one-bedroom home to £1,105 for two bedrooms and £1,330 for three bedrooms.
So, where should a self-managing landlord start?
Start with the rent, but don’t automatically increase it
A rent review and a rent increase are not the same thing. The useful question is, what would my property realistically achieve if it came to market today?
A two-bedroom apartment close to Leamington town centre or the station will not necessarily behave like a family house in Whitnash, Warwick or Kenilworth.
Understanding the current value gives you a benchmark, even if you decide that keeping a reliable tenant at their existing rent is the better commercial decision.
Since 1 May, the rules in England have also changed. Assured shorthold tenancies have been replaced by assured periodic tenancies, and landlords using the statutory rent-increase process can generally increase the rent only once a year, with at least two months’ notice using the prescribed process.
Ask us for a current rental assessment
Give the property an autumn MOT
Leamington’s trees may look fantastic in autumn. They are less attractive when their leaves are blocking the guttering.
Before winter, it is worth checking the basics:
- gutters, drains and exterior brickwork
- roof and chimney condition where relevant
- boiler and heating performance
- window seals and ventilation
- damp, mould or condensation
- alarms and safety equipment
- outstanding repairs reported by the tenant.
A small maintenance job in September can be far cheaper and less disruptive than an emergency repair over Christmas.
Review what changed on 1 May
For landlords in England, 2026 has been a major year. The Renters’ Rights Act changes that came into force on 1 May included the move from assured shorthold tenancies to assured periodic tenancies and the abolition of Section 21.
For a self-managed landlord, this makes good records particularly important. If circumstances change later, you want the tenancy history, notices, safety paperwork, correspondence and evidence to be easy to find, not spread across old emails and a drawer at home.
Look at the tenant relationship too
A good autumn review should not feel like an inspection designed to find faults. Ask whether everything is working properly. Check whether any maintenance has been overlooked. Find out if the tenant has concerns ahead of winter.
That can help you spot problems sooner and keep a good tenancy running smoothly.
Then ask yourself one slightly different question
Is self-management still saving me enough to justify my time?
There isn’t a right answer. For some Leamington Spa landlords, the answer will absolutely be yes.
For others, the occasional repair has gradually turned into contractor chasing, compliance reminders, rent administration, tenant calls and keeping up with legislation.
You can own and control the investment without necessarily doing every job connected with it.
See what Fully Managed would actually take off your plate.
You don’t have to wait for the tenant to leave
One misconception we often hear is that landlords can only rethink their management arrangement between tenancies. That isn’t necessarily the case.
If Martin & Co originally found your tenant on a Let Only basis, or you have always managed the property yourself, speak to us about the current setup.
We can look at what you currently handle, what you’d prefer not to handle and whether a managed service would genuinely add value.
No lecture. No assumption that one option suits every landlord. That’s particularly important to us in Leamington Spa. Good landlord advice should help you make the decision, not make it for you.
Local people, local property knowledge
Martin & Co Leamington Spa has worked in the local market since 2007, giving us a detailed understanding of rental demand across Leamington Spa and the surrounding area.
We can review your current rent, talk through the tenancy and identify any gaps worth addressing before winter.
If everything is already exactly where it should be, you’ll know that too.
Book a landlord health check with Martin & Co Leamington Spa
