should I manage my rented out property myself?

[Summerhillsquare]

I rented out my former home. I have had a letting agent who found the tenant and I pay 10% monthly for ongoing management. The tenant is great, she has my email address as I keep up the bigger work in the garden for her.

Problem is, the very few repairs required, the agent is not proactive. I have found out this week that a light fitting tenant reported in January has not been fixed. The last problem I had (another fitting) I went round and did it myself. I am not pleased to be paying for stuff when I end up doing it myself!

I’ve done both. I found that the agent did virtually nothing, so I went solo. It was ok as I had very good tenants.

My agents were great. Anything wrong - they got it fixed. Dh was in a more lucrative profession so we didn’t want him doing diy. One tenant was threatening and was in arrears. I found that difficult so went to full management by agent. Never regretted it. Sold houses now though.