Thomas Rozycki and Isobel Ferris met at University and knew that they wanted to start investing in property as soon as they could. Their professional careers took off but were ideally suited to starting a property company and soon Easy Living was born.  With a background in design and project management, Issie saw the potential of the brand, and with Tom focusing on the refurbishment work, they created a unique team which utilised both of their skillsets.  I had the pleasure of being their...

Today's episode is all about the three areas of HMO Management - Finance, Property and Tenants.  When you're scaling up your business it's easy to take your eye off the ball and forget that you are the owner, manager and leader. The buck stops with you. If there's a problem with compliance, or certificates, or the roof falls in - it's your building and therefore your problem.  Even with a good managing agent, you will have to take more responsibility with an HMO. By addressing each of these...

Join me and my partner Andy Large in this insightful podcast episode as we delve into the recent UK budget announcements. With changes to the tax and management regime for short-term lets / serviced accommodation providers, and changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT) and the abolishment of multiple dwellings relief, there's much to discuss. How will these changes affect the HMO market? Will we see SA units coming onto the market in the form of HMOs? How will SA operators react to the new tax...

In my latest episode on the HMO Success Podcast I had the privilege of sitting down with Sue Sims, the visionary founder of award winning Genie Homes, to delve into her expertise in supported housing HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation). As an online training session, she was not only able to answer my questions, she got to grips with all the questions asked by the audience! With a passion for creating sustainable living spaces that meet the diverse needs of individuals and communities, Sue...

In today's podcast my guest is an investor who started in HMOs after a dawning realisation. I'll let him describe to you what that was! Following this revelation, he and his wife Philippa re-imagined what student shared houses could be like. Not only so that they work as an investment, but also so those living there benefit. They launched their business, FAT properties, and have steadily built a profitable and unique portfolio, serving the student market across the North West of the UK.  Tom...

I met Paul a few years ago at a property networking event and he has become a firm friend, confidante and amazing supporter! He and his wife Liz set up Property Angels in Leeds a few years ago and rapidly built a strong HMO portfolio, eventually owning and managing over 260 rooms.  They decided to scale back, pay down debt and consolidate their portfolio when they realised that neither of them were achieving what they wanted to with such a large and occasionally cumbersome portfolio. Since...

In this insightful and informative episode of the HMO Success Podcast, Wendy Whittaker-Large, the host, interviews renowned tax-saving expert and chartered accountant, Shaz Nawaz. Drawing on his personal experiences as a property investor and tax specialist, Shaz shares practical recommendations on how to significantly minimize tax liabilities in property investments, from point of purchase through to operation. Shaz simplifies complex tax scenarios, focusing on capital allowances for...

How the Post Office Scandal has similarities to the HMO Council Tax miscarriage of justice. A discussion! In this episode of the HMO Success Podcast, Wendy Whittaker-Large delves into the mounting challenges that landlords across the UK face, drawing an insightful correlation between the recent post office scandal and the complexities surrounding HMO and council tax. Addressing the repercussions of systemic disparities and exploring potential resolutions, Wendy dissects the complexities of...

How a single mum went from broke to being a property multimillionaire! Susie Cole on health, wealth and happiness. Susannah Cole started in property because she had a problem to solve. As a head of household with two little children, her month and money were only just meeting (and sometimes there was a gap) and she wanted more time with her family rather than having to swap her time for money at work. She could see property could deliver that, so she set to! She started The Good Property...

Unlocking the Secrets to HMO Mortgages - Exclusive Interview with a Specialist HMO Mortgage Broker! Getting access to the right finance before, during and at the end of your project is key to success. Without the right kind of finance and financial advice, you could find yourself haemorrhaging money during the refurb, or leaving too much money in at the end of the project.  Knowing when to execute the re-finance, along with the characteristics that make a feasible project for pulling all your...

The Top 10 HMO Mistakes not to make in 2024! Avoiding problems is just as important to success as having results. In this episode I go over the top 10 mistakes that I often see HMO investors make and how and why they happen.  Whether you are a seasoned investor or you are just getting started, I'm convinced that these top 10 mistakes can be avoided, which could be vital to your progress.  Over the years I've been investing, I've seen HMO businesses come and go, and the ones that last the...

Why I don't set goals and I don't think you should either - Episode 106 This is an outrageous claim Wendy! What do you mean, you don't set goals and you don't think I should either?! Well, simply put - because, just like New Year's Resolutions, they often don't work! Instead, I use a simple action based planning system that helps me get into an excellent routine early in the year. And then I stick to it throughout the year. I have an accountability buddy who holds me to account and I track my...

Why You Need a Five Step System to Create a Successful Portfolio of HMOs A SYSTEM saves you stress, time, energy and money.  It tells you what to do and when. Most people when they’re learning something new benefit from learning from others who have already been there and done it. If you’re trying to copy and paste an income generating model you don’t need to create it from scratch. You can copy what others have done and improve it or adapt it to fit your situation. Smaller HMOs, larger HMOs,...

HMOs in 2024 - What are the stats telling us?  Looking at the wider macro economic picture is crucial to understand where interest rates and property values might go. In addition there are a number of other statistics that help us as HMO investors to see the way the wind is blowing and what the opportunities and threats are to the HMO landscape. In this episode you'll learn what other factors are vital when looking at the economy and specific features that will affect HMOs in 2024.  To access...

Today is the DAY! The Legal Battle is Won! Episode 103 In case you missed the HMO Council Tax Reform Group's webinar last week about the changes to legislation and what you can do if you are still battling away, here it is! Today is the day when the law is officially changed so that no room in an HMO can be individually banded for council tax. We have been battling this for over two years but we found out a few weeks ago that legislation had passed into law and it gets enacted today! In...

Creating a Funnel for your HMO Business - Episode 102 You may not have realised that a funnel is a key part of your process to find investors, clients or properties. By learning how exactly to create a funnel, you can find the right properties and people to work with in your HMO business. Whether you are an investor, a developer or a sourcer - you need deals and you probably also need money.  Networking is a fantastic way to find lots of people - but are they RIGHT for you, and are you RIGHT...

SPECIAL EPISODE - We Won Our Fight Against Council Tax on HMO Rooms! I am SO delighted to be releasing this podcast episode (even whilst away on holiday) as I just HAD to share the amazing news of our campaign win.  In the extraordinary 2 years since we set up the HMO Council Tax Reform Group, so much has happened, but we are excited beyond measure that our campaign has landed and the Government is changing its approach to banding individual HMO rooms for Council Tax.  In today’s unedited and...

Kirsty Darkins MRICSE: [email protected]: www.kdcommercial.co.uk About Kirsty ...I am a Chartered Surveyor by profession, starting in property in 1999 at an independent firm InnesEngland in Nottingham. During my career I have worked for blue chip companies including Boots,CBRE and Hammerson. I have a broad range of property and business experience havingmanaged multi million commercial and residential property portfolios across the UK and Ireland forover 20 years. Over the last 6 years...

A Englishman Down Under Creating Roomy Houses - the Aussie Version of HMOs   Neil Gibb is the passionate founder and managing director of The HMO Property Co, dedicated to transforming the property market and making a meaningful difference in people's lives. With a strong sense of compassion and determination, Neil recognized the housing stress and limited opportunities faced by many in the Perth property market, leading him to establish two businesses aimed at providing affordable...

HMO Success Podcast Episode 98 - SHORT - Is the Property Investor Show worth going to?   Short episode reviewing my recent trip to London where I hosted a panel on the Dos and Don'ts of High End HMOs. 

HMO Success Podcast Episode 97 - Creating a Pipeline of Deals - 4 - Persistence   This characteristic is oh so necessary if you are going to be successful in life as well as property! Too may people give up right before the victory is about to happen! Don't let that be you! I've got some sage advice and encouragement if you feel that you are working hard and nothing much is happening. This happens to every investor from time to time.  Listen now if you feel stuck and need a push to keep going...

HMO Success Podcast Episode 96 - Creating a Pipeline of Deals - 3 - Paperwork In the third episode in this series, I will walk you through the PAPERWORK and what questions you need to ask a vendor to identify whether a deal is possible - and to identify what kind of a deal is possible. By ensuring you have all the right questions to hand, you will find out the key data that you need to crunch the numbers and make an offer. The paperwork is vital so that you collect the right information,...

HMO Success Podcast Episode 95 - Creating a Pipeline of Deals - 2 - Perception Part 2 - How do others perceive you and how do you perceive others? Perception is the art of gathering multisensory data and using it to shape your interactions with others.  In a property transaction, this skill will allow you to navigate complex negotiations and understand the other side's needs and desires. It will help you create a win-win (where there is one) and make offers on any property.  This episode is...

HMO Success Podcast Episode 94 - Creating a Pipeline of Deals - 1 - Process Welcome to my mini series about how to create a profitable HMO portfolio. Over the next few weeks I will be uncovering my Five Step System Find It Fund It Finish It Fill It Future-Proof It   And we start today with Find It.  In this mini series, this first episode breaks down the first fundamental process to master - Finding Deals. If you can't find deals, you will struggle to build a property empire! Today I go over...