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7 Ways to Improve Rental Yield in Blackpool
Table of Contents
- How to Calculate Rental Yield Before You Make Changes
- 1. Review Your Rent Against Blackpool Market Rates
- 2. Cut Void Periods with Faster Tenant Turnaround
- 3. Improving EPC Ratings for Rental Properties to Justify Higher Rents
- 4. Control Maintenance Costs Without Cutting Corners
- 5. Is Landlord Rent Guarantee Insurance Worth It for Your Portfolio?
- 6. Reduce Costs Through Professional Property Management
- 7. Refinance or Restructure to Lower Your Mortgage Costs
- Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated: September 12, 2026
How to Calculate Rental Yield Before You Make Changes
Rental yield is the annual income a property generates, expressed as a percentage of its value. Knowing how to calculate rental yield is the first step before you change anything, because it tells you whether a tweak to rent, costs or borrowing actually moves the needle. This guide from PPS Property Management walks through seven practical ways to improve rental yield in Blackpool, from rent reviews to refinancing, with the local market nuances that matter on the Fylde Coast. Get the maths right first, and every decision afterwards becomes easier to justify.
Gross yield versus net yield: which one matters more
Gross yield divides annual rent by property value. Net yield subtracts running costs, voids, management fees and maintenance before doing the same division. Net yield is the honest number: a property showing a healthy gross figure can look far weaker once a two-month void and a new boiler are accounted for. Use gross yield for quick comparisons between properties, and net yield for every decision about your existing portfolio.
1. Review Your Rent Against Blackpool Market Rates
Underpricing is the most common cause of a weak yield, and it usually happens quietly. Landlords who set a rent three years ago and never revisited it are often leaving money on the table without realising. Check current asking rents for comparable properties in your postcode, then compare them against what you charge. Tools such as Rightmove's rental market data and the ONS private rent index give you an objective starting point rather than a guess.
Raising rent mid-tenancy has limits. You can only increase it once every twelve months, and you must follow the correct notice procedure. Where a tenant is paying below market rate but has been reliable for years, a modest, well-explained increase often lands better than a large one.
2. Cut Void Periods with Faster Tenant Turnaround
Every empty week is lost income that never comes back. A property sitting vacant for a month can wipe out the gain from a rent rise entirely. The fix is speed: start marketing before the current tenancy ends, have the property cleaned and ready on day one, and keep your compliance paperwork current so there is no delay at the referencing stage.
- Advertise the property 6-8 weeks before the tenancy ends
- Complete gas safety and EICR checks before viewings begin
- Pre-screen enquiries by phone to avoid wasted appointments
- Have a deposit and tenancy agreement ready to sign immediately
Landlords with properties scattered across the Fylde Coast often lose days travelling between viewings. A local management partner can absorb that admin and keep turnaround tight.
3. Improving EPC Ratings for Rental Properties to Justify Higher Rents
Improving EPC ratings for rental properties is now a commercial decision, not just a compliance one. A higher rating widens your tenant pool, reduces the risk of future letting restrictions, and gives you a defensible reason to charge more. The cheapest gains usually come first: loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and a modern boiler or heat pump all lift a rating without a full renovation.
Current minimum standards and any future thresholds should always be checked against official government guidance on EPC requirements, as the rules have moved in recent years and further changes are planned. What most guides miss is that the order of works matters: spending on solar before insulation rarely delivers the rating jump you expect.
4. Control Maintenance Costs Without Cutting Corners
Maintenance is where yields quietly leak. A dripping tap ignored for six months becomes a damp problem; a blocked gutter becomes a roof repair. The trick is to separate planned maintenance from emergency repairs and budget for both. Deal with small faults during inspections rather than waiting for a tenant to report them.
Keep a simple maintenance log for each property. It shows you which items are recurring, which are one-off, and where a replacement would cost less over five years than repeated repairs.
5. Is Landlord Rent Guarantee Insurance Worth It for Your Portfolio?
The question of whether landlord rent guarantee insurance is worth it comes down to your buffer. The policy covers unpaid rent and, in many cases, legal costs if you need to evict a tenant. It is not cheap, and it does not suit every landlord. But if a single month of lost rent would strain your cash flow, the cover usually pays for itself the first time a tenant falls behind.
Where it earns its keep:
- Tenants who pass referencing but lose a job mid-tenancy
- Landlords with a single property and no reserve fund
- Overseas landlords who cannot respond quickly to arrears
Where it does not: a portfolio with a healthy reserve and long-standing tenants on rolling agreements. Run the numbers against your own void history before deciding.
6. Reduce Costs Through Professional Property Management
Management fees reduce net yield, so the decision hinges on what you get back. A good manager cuts voids, catches maintenance problems early, and keeps compliance current, all of which protect income. For remote and overseas landlords, the alternative is paying a third party per task and still carrying the coordination burden.
At PPS Property Management, we handle tenant sourcing, vetting, gas safety, EPC and EICR compliance, and emergency repairs, with four service levels so you only pay for what you need. Our 24/7 response means a burst pipe at 2am is dealt with by someone local, not left until morning.
| Approach | Time Cost | Compliance Risk | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Self-manage | High | High | Local landlords with spare time |
| Task-by-task outsourcing | Medium | Medium | Occasional support needs |
| Full management | Low | Low | Remote, overseas, multi-property owners |
7. Refinance or Restructure to Lower Your Mortgage Costs
Mortgage interest is usually the single largest cost against your rental income, so it deserves a regular review. If your fixed rate has ended, you may be sitting on a standard variable rate that costs more than a new deal. Remortgaging to a lower rate, extending the term, or restructuring borrowing across a portfolio can all lift net yield without touching the rent.
Two caveats. Early repayment charges can outweigh the saving if you are still inside a fixed period, and lenders assess affordability on rental cover ratios, not just your income. Speak to a broker who works with buy-to-let before committing.
Rental yield rarely improves from one big move. It comes from rent reviews, faster turnarounds, compliance that protects your income, and costs kept under control. If managing that across one property or ten is eating your time, PPS Property Management can take it on: full compliance management for gas safety, EPC and EICR, rapid tenant placement, emergency repairs handled within hours, and four service levels to match your portfolio. Get started with PPS Property Management and turn a protected asset into a more profitable one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good rental yield for a buy-to-let property in Blackpool?
A gross yield of 5% to 7% is generally considered solid in Blackpool, though the figure varies by property type and location within the town. Terraced houses near the town centre often deliver higher gross yields than larger detached properties in the suburbs. What matters most is your net yield after mortgage payments, maintenance, insurance, and any management fees. Always calculate both figures before judging whether a property performs well.
How do I calculate the rental yield on my property?
Divide your annual rental income by the property's purchase price or current market value, then multiply by 100. That gives you gross yield. For net yield, subtract annual costs such as mortgage interest, insurance, maintenance, and management fees from your rental income first. For example, £9,000 annual rent on a £150,000 property is a 6% gross yield. Net yield will be lower once expenses are deducted, so use that figure for real decisions.
Is landlord rent guarantee insurance worth it for Blackpool landlords?
It depends on your risk tolerance and tenant profile. Rent guarantee insurance typically covers missed payments and legal costs if a tenant defaults, which can protect your cash flow during void periods or disputes. If your rental income is essential to cover mortgage payments, the protection can be worthwhile. If you have a strong tenant history and a financial buffer, you may decide the premium is not necessary. Compare the annual cost against one month's lost rent.
How does improving EPC ratings for rental properties affect profitability?
A higher EPC rating makes your property more attractive to tenants who want lower energy bills, which can reduce void periods and support higher rents. Insulation, modern heating systems, and double glazing are common upgrades that lift the rating. The initial outlay varies by property, but the long-term gains come from fewer complaints, better tenant retention, and compliance with current energy efficiency rules for rented homes.
Does property maintenance affect long-term rental yield?
Yes, significantly. Deferred maintenance leads to larger repair bills, unhappy tenants, and higher turnover. A leaking roof or failing boiler costs far more to fix once damage spreads. Regular inspections and prompt repairs keep the property in good condition, reduce emergency call-outs, and help you retain reliable tenants who pay on time. Budgeting a small percentage of rent for planned maintenance each year protects your net yield over the long term.
