How Can UK Landlords Earn Extra Income Beyond Rent?
For years, many landlords relied on a simple playbook: raise rents when costs rise, or upsell extra products. But today, that approach is under pressure, rising rents are unsustainable for tenant,and pushing add-ons can damage trust.
With new regulations, higher maintenance costs, and tenants already stretched thin by rising living expenses, landlords are under pressure to protect margins without pricing tenants out.
The good news? There are ways to boost income that don’t involve asking tenants for more rent.
This guide covers practical strategies to unlock extra revenue streams, while keeping tenants happy.
1. Tap Into Passive Income
Your tenants are already spending thousands each year on everyday essentials like furniture, groceries, eating out and more. In fact, the UK rental market sees over £70.5 billion spent annually on household-related products outside of rent.
Sign up for free: You’ll receive a fully white-labelled rewards portal in your brand.
Invite your tenants: Either bulk upload your tenant list or connect via API so they can access the portal.
Tenants shop and save: They use the branded site to get discounts and cashback on essentials like furniture, groceries, tech, apparel and more.
Every time a tenant makes a purchase, affiliate commission is generated.
It’s a way to monetise everyday tenant spending, without increasing rent or lifting a finger once the system is live.
2. Offer Value-Add Services
Tenants increasingly prefer landlords who offer more than just four walls. By curating additional services, you can drive loyalty while creating small but scalable revenue streams.
Examples include:
Utility switching or broadband set-ups (earning referral fees).
Move-in concierge packages (partner with local cleaners, handymen, or storage providers).
Furniture rental or purchase options with affiliate kickbacks.
Insurance partnerships (contents or renters’ cover).
The key: make these offers available at the right life moment (e.g., move-in or renewal). That is when tenants are most likely to spend. With each household spending around £800 on move-in essentials, that’s over £1.25 billion flowing out in just the first month of tenancies.
3. Monetise Sustainability
EPC regulations mean landlords will be upgrading properties anyway, often at £6k - £7k+ per unit.
Instead of viewing this purely as a cost, landlords can turn sustainability into a revenue stream.
Partner with green energy suppliers and share in referral fees.
Offer discounted smart home devices (thermostats, energy monitors) through affiliate links.
Use seasonal campaigns (e.g. winter energy-saving upgrades) to engage tenants with deals.
This not only reduces running costs for tenants but also enhances your property’s value, making it more attractive in the long term.
4. Turn Tenant Data Into Insights
Landlords and agents often overlook the value of aggregated tenant behaviour. Without ever exposing personal details, anonymised data on spending patterns, service update, and deal engagement can become a powerful revenue source.
Local partners (e.g. gyms, cafés, delivery services) will pay for insights into what tenants in your area actually want.
Handled responsibly, data becomes not just a retention tool but a new commercial lever.
5. Short-Term & Flexible Lets
Void periods are expensive.
Instead of leaving a property empty, landlords can generate income through:
Airbnb-style short stays
Corporate lets
Flexible, gap-filling rentals between tenants
For agents, this is an opportunity to offer landlords a managed “flex-let” service.
By handling listings, bookings, and compliance, agents can take a management fee or commission while keeping properties productive between long-term tenants.
Even two weeks of short-term letting can meaningfully offset void losses.
6. Storage & Parking Income
Many rental properties have underutilised spaces and have spare storage rooms, garages, or parking spots. By renting these out separately (to tenants or locals), landlords can unlock an entirely new income line.
Extra income doesn’t always have to come from higher rents. From storage and short-term lets to data insights and sustainability, there are plenty of creative ways to grow revenue while adding value to tenants
But here’s the truth, most of these strategies require effort, coordination, and ongoing management.
That’s why Rent Rewards exists, to give landlords and agents a simple, automated way to unlock passive income from everyday tenant spending.
With a white-labelled portal, automated tracking and relevant, exclusive offers triggered at key tenancy moments. Rent Rewards creates new revenue without the extra workload, helping landlords boost margins and helping agents stand out in a competitive market.
If you’re ready to explore how Rent Rewards can fit into your portfolio or agency.
More value for tenants. More revenue for you. Zero cost. Zero effort.
