From Accidental to Strategic: 5 Ways to Maximise Your Existing Cheshire Rentals

Accidental landlords are everywhere in Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent and across Cheshire. Maybe you inherited a property. Maybe you moved in with a partner. Maybe you couldn’t sell, so you let it out.

Whatever the reason, you now own a rental — and you’re wondering, “Am I doing this right?”

At NUVO Lettings, we work with plenty of landlords who never planned to be one. But with the right steps, you can go from reluctant to strategic — and turn that property into a proper asset.

Here are five ways to maximise your rental income, reduce stress, and take control of your portfolio — even if it only has one property (for now).

1. Review Your Rent — You’re Probably Undercharging

Most accidental landlords let a property out quickly… and then never revisit the rent. If you haven’t reviewed it in the last 12 months, you could be leaving thousands on the table.

In Crewe and Stoke, we regularly see properties rented for 10–20% below market rate — purely out of habit or fear of upsetting the tenant.

What to do: Check comparable properties in your area, ideally with the same spec. Or send us your postcode and we’ll do a free rental assessment.

2. Consider Upgrading to a Room-by-Room Let (HMO)

If your property is in the right location and layout, switching from a single let to a small HMO could double your gross income.

It’s not for everyone — and you’ll need to meet compliance standards — but many landlords are sitting on untapped earning potential without realising it.

What to do: Ask us whether your current property is HMO-convertible. We’ll check licensing, layout and location, and give you a straight answer.

3. Improve Energy Efficiency to Boost Appeal (and Value)

With tenants increasingly worried about bills, and EPC legislation tightening, improving your property’s energy performance is a win-win.

Small changes like:

• Upgraded loft insulation

• TRVs on radiators

• Swapping old appliances

• Draft-proofing and energy-saving bulbs

…can improve your EPC rating and make your home more lettable. In some cases, you may even qualify for grants.

What to do: Book an EPC review or get a maintenance check from one of our trusted contractors.

4. Professionalise Your Tenancy Agreement and Records

Accidental landlords often use outdated, free tenancy templates and skip documentation. That’s a risk — especially with the Renters Reform Bill on the horizon.

You need:

• A clear, modern tenancy agreement

• Proper deposit protection

• Full move-in documentation

• A record of all maintenance, rent payments and communication

What to do: Ask us to review your current paperwork. We’ll tell you if it’s compliant and help you fix any gaps.

5. Set Up Systems — or Hand It to Someone Who Has Them

Managing one property yourself can feel simple… until something goes wrong. Missed rent. Maintenance issues. Tenancy disputes. Voids.

Systems make it easier. At NUVO, we built our letting agency around landlord systems — checklists, trackers, alerts, and automated reminders. That’s how we run our own portfolio (and sleep at night).

If you don’t want to build all that yourself — we’ll do it for you.

Ready to Go from Passive to Profitable?

📞 Book a free strategy call with a landlord-led agent

📧 Or email us your current setup and we’ll tell you what’s missing (no pressure)

Don’t let your rental “just tick over”. You’ve got a real asset — we’ll help you treat it like one.