Resources, support and community for landlords
The Independent Landlord offers clear, comprehensive and actionable guidance for the private rented sector in England.
It’s run by me, Suzanne Smith, a portfolio landlord and former corporate solicitor.
My #1 bestselling book, The Good Landlord Handbook, published by Century from Penguin Random House, explains how to operate successfully under the Renters’ Rights Act at every stage of the tenancy cycle.
You can buy it from Amazon, Waterstones or your local bookstore.*
To ask me questions, and have access to templates and courses in a supportive community, join my membership, The Independent Landlord Hub.
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Latest on The Blog
My 5 biggest mistakes as a new landlord
So many landlords and property investors only talk about their successes, staying silent about their mistakes. However, I think it’s…
How to reduce void period costs and risks during refurbishment
Ever notice how costs seem to appear from nowhere when a property is unoccupied due to voids and refurbs? It’s…
Checklist for new tenants: getting ready for check in
Checking in tenants is a key milestone in the relationship between landlords and the people who will be living in…
What happens when one person leaves a joint tenancy?
What happens when a relationship between tenants breaks down and the couple splits up, sharers fall out, or one of…
Who is responsible for pest control in a rental property?
Mice and rats can be hugely destructive, gnawing through wires, leaving a mess and making a lot of noise at…
Practical tips to take over management from letting agents
Are you a landlord who’s looking to take over the management of your rental property from a letting agent with…
Who pays council tax: landlord or tenant?
A landlord’s liability for council tax is quite tricky to figure out and navigate. This is a practical guide that…
How to find tenants yourself using OpenRent
This blog post is a practical step-by-step guide and review of OpenRent, based on my personal experiences as a landlord…
How much do letting agents charge for full property management?
It sounds so compelling: “let and forget”. Hand the keys to a letting agent, and the rent lands in your…
From HMOs to licences to occupy: sham or legit?
When the Renters’ Rights Act came into force on 1 May 2026, fixed term tenancies and Section 21 “no fault…
How landlords can make a complaint against letting agents
One of the most important decisions landlords make is whether to use letting agents to find tenants and/or manage the…
Letting agent contracts: small print to check before you sign
I receive more emails and messages about unfair terms and fees in letting agent contracts than almost any other topic….
How to a terminate property management contract with letting agents
There may be many reasons why a landlord wishes to terminate their property management services with a letting agent. Their…
Hammock review: MTD software for landlords
I’m a landlord and knew I was going to be in the first cohort of those required to use Making…
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for landlords: How it works
It was a long time coming, but Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD for ITSA) finally started…
About Suzanne Smith
As a portfolio landlord in Kent and a former General Counsel and Company Secretary of a PLC, I bring a unique perspective to the private rented sector.
My legal career began as a solicitor in a City law firm, before moving in-house for 25 years in the life sciences industry, with 12 years at the General Counsel level.
I became a landlord in 2019 and have a direct understanding of the strategic and day-to-day challenges that landlords face.
When I was a new landlord, I’d been unable to find the content I was looking for. To fill this unmet need, I founded The Independent Landlord in August 2022.
My best-selling book, ‘The Good Landlord Handbook’, was published by Penguin Random House in 2026. It helps landlords understand how to operate successfully at every stage of the tenancy cycle under the Renters’ Rights Act.
The Independent Landlord has a distinctive voice, making complex issues clear, balanced and actionable for everyone in the private rented sector.
* As an Amazon Associate and a Waterstones affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases