More Landlords Are Turning to Letting Agents – and Local Expertise Has Never Been More Important

The private rental sector has changed enormously over recent years, and for landlords in Keighley and the surrounding areas, managing a rental property is no longer simply a case of finding a tenant, collecting the rent and arranging the occasional repair.

New research from the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) suggests that around two-thirds of rental properties in England and Wales are now managed to some degree by a letting agent – the highest proportion recorded for two years.

The reason is perhaps unsurprising. The rules surrounding residential lettings have become considerably more complex and, following the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act, landlords have more to consider than ever before.

The rental market has changed

The Renters’ Rights Act introduced some of the biggest changes to the private rented sector in decades when its main tenancy reforms came into force on 1st May 2026.

Assured Shorthold Tenancies have been replaced by assured periodic tenancies, Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions have been abolished and landlords must now operate within a different framework when it comes to matters such as possession and rent increases.

There are further reforms still to come, including the development of the new Private Rented Sector Database and Landlord Ombudsman arrangements.

Add to this the existing requirements surrounding electrical safety, gas safety, deposit protection, property condition, Right to Rent checks, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and the numerous other responsibilities associated with letting a property, and it is understandable why more landlords are looking for professional assistance.

However, simply using a letting agent isn't necessarily enough.

The NRLA has also highlighted the importance of landlords choosing agents who properly understand their responsibilities and keep up to date with an increasingly regulated sector.

What does this mean for landlords in Keighley?

The Keighley rental market has traditionally offered landlords a combination of comparatively affordable property prices and consistent demand from tenants.

From traditional terraced properties close to Keighley town centre to family homes in areas such as Oakworth, Haworth, Oxenhope, Cullingworth, Riddlesden, Silsden and Steeton, different parts of our local market attract very different types of tenant.

The latest Office for National Statistics figures demonstrate that rents locally are continuing to increase.

Across the Bradford local authority area, the average private rent was £749 per month in July 2026, compared with £725 a year earlier – an annual increase of 3.3%.

The figures also show average rents of approximately:

• One bedroom – £553 per month

• Two bedrooms – £679 per month

• Three bedrooms – £813 per month

• Four or more bedrooms – £1,115 per month

These are broad averages across the entire Bradford district, of course, and should never be treated as a valuation of an individual property. A property's location, condition, specification, garden, parking, energy efficiency and local demand can all make a considerable difference to its achievable rent.

That is precisely where genuine local knowledge becomes important.

The advantage of an independent letting agent

At Davies Properties, we are an independent estate and letting agent based in Keighley, and we believe there is a considerable difference between simply managing a tenancy and actually knowing the area in which that property is situated.

We work in the local market every day.

We understand that the rental market for a two-bedroom terrace in central Keighley can be very different from a cottage in Haworth, a family property in Oakworth or a modern home in one of the surrounding villages.

That local knowledge helps when advising landlords on rental values, marketing strategies and the type of tenant a property is likely to attract.

Being independent also means that our landlords aren't dealing with a distant head office or a large corporate structure. Decisions are made locally, and our team is here to deal directly with the day-to-day realities of managing property.

For many landlords, that personal relationship is becoming increasingly valuable.

Property management is increasingly about risk management

One of the biggest changes we have seen in lettings is that a good management service is now as much about protecting the landlord as it is about collecting rent.

Good management involves keeping accurate records, ensuring important dates aren't overlooked, arranging inspections, dealing with maintenance, communicating with tenants, reviewing rents appropriately and making sure the correct procedures are followed when circumstances change.

Mistakes can be expensive.

Government guidance introduced alongside the Renters’ Rights Act also makes clear that landlords remain ultimately responsible for complying with their legal obligations, even where an agent is involved.

This makes choosing the right letting agent particularly important.

The cheapest management fee may not necessarily represent the best value if the service behind it does not provide the knowledge, communication and attention required to manage the property properly.

Local landlords still have opportunities

Despite the additional regulation, we don't believe the message for landlords should be one of doom and gloom.

There remains a strong need for good-quality rental accommodation throughout Keighley and the Aire and Worth Valleys.

The latest figures show that rents across the Bradford district remain substantially below the England-wide average of £1,451 per month, while still recording positive annual rental growth.

For landlords with the right property, properly maintained and appropriately priced, the local rental market can therefore continue to offer opportunities.

What has changed is the level of knowledge and administration required to manage that investment successfully.

Thinking of letting your property?

Whether you are an experienced landlord with several properties, have recently purchased your first buy-to-let, or are considering renting out a former home, getting the right advice from the outset can save considerable time and difficulty later.

As an independent local estate and letting agent, Davies Properties combines knowledge of the Keighley rental market with hands-on property management and a personal service.

If you have a property in Keighley, Haworth, Oakworth, Oxenhope, Cullingworth or the surrounding areas and would like to know what it could achieve on the rental market, we would be happy to provide an up-to-date rental valuation and discuss the different options available.

Contact Davies Properties on 01535 872018 to arrange a rental valuation or to find out more about our letting and property management services.