Having a property to let should not become a full time occupation. Finding the time for the day-to-day needs of a property can quickly become overwhelming, especially for anyone who has never worked with rental properties in the past.
Letting agents routinely manage properties. These agents are very familiar with this full time occupation. For a percentage of the rentals monthly income, an agent can take care of those matters that are routinely needed for a property.
This entails what would be many time consuming tasks, such as advertising and showing the rooms or property for rent. A common function of agents is to screen potential tenants. This is important to ensure that those moving in can pay on time, and will not cause problems. Agents rather than the property owner can also handle accepting deposits and managing the monthly collections of rent.
Some type of maintenance will always be required even with new properties. Sinks will leak, windows will jam, and worse situations will occur as a natural consequence of use. A property owner doesn't have to be the one at the door with a hammer when the rental is in the hands of an agent.
More importantly, agents should have legal knowledge and can more easily solve disputes, and offer legal advice. Owning a property doesn't have to become a full time job, since this type of help is available for very reasonable fees.