If you're a landlady or landlord, the recent frenzy around the Rental Reform White Paper with its Section 21 abolishment and periodic tenancies may have felt like the last thing you needed right now, what with higher interest rates, inflation, and the impact of energy costs to deal with.

But doom and gloom are not building blocks. Instead, seek out some light by observing how our friends across the border in Scotland dealt with these same changes back in 2017. The Scottish rental market is buoyant, no influx of “in and out' tenants” was recorded as a result, and business continues as usual.

In my view the White Paper is yet another signpost emphasising the importance of open, honest, and ongoing communication, dynamic empathy, and good working relationships. So many nightmare stories are the result of a disregard of the above leading to the degradation of that relationship.

Achieving this working relationship requires understanding from the get-go to ensure tenants are well-matched to the property. Time out of your schedule to check in, check-up and report. And of course, availability to take care of those untimely, unforeseen problems that need resolving, or even to acquaint and teach individuals any intricacies of the property. A current example of this is the task of ensuring your property complies with the upcoming changes to smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Maybe now is a great time to review your position. Ensure your properties are up to regulation standards, ensure to review your rent, check in with your tenants, have another think about your views on pets and start thinking about the changes to minimum EPC ratings in 2025. Feel welcome to call me for a friendly, non-salesy chat about any queries or concerns you may have – there are no cheap shiny suits to be found here! I have a brilliant “99 Tips and Tricks” that could be just what you need to help model your current or upcoming rentals.

It's proven time and time again that the best way of approaching rentals, regardless of how and why you became a landlady or landlord, is to look at it as a business. You're providing a much-needed resource and at the heart of your business should sit a valued customer. If upon reflection this is not the conclusion you come to, consider your options. A great agent will pay for themselves in numerous ways, so take some time to explore this. The provision of private rentals to the property market is essential and well-run ownership of these needs to be acknowledged, respected, and valued.