Nailing my colours to the mast, I inherited properties which I converted into rental properties and can assure you we're not creaming it on monthly cash flow in via rents either. For a long long time I was also embittered thinking I was "only" making money from the properties value increasing over time. As you've experienced, it is a faff, but in the decade we've had them, it's increased by 80% or something daft. Since the early 2000s, this is the position of most landlords and you probably need to make peace with that one.