LI Magazine 65th Edition by Landlord Investor Magazine

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LANDLORD | PROPERTY | INVESTMENT

65TH EDITION | 2021

Back in the room Return to live shows in 2021 a huge success [SEE

P A G E 2]

Return to live shows a stunning success / A matter of interest / Maximising your financial gains in 2022 / Back to base rate: What you need to know for 2022 / Helping young property investors / The challenges & opportunities presented by Brexit / Legal Spotlight

FINANCIAL FREEDOM THROUGH PROPERTY INVESTMENT

Areas of Speciality Advice & Guidence

@NovaFinancialUK

Nova Financial Group

@NovaFinancialGroup

@NovaFinancialUK

www.nova.financial

info@nova.financial

0203 8000 600

A warm welcome to the 65 Edition of Landlord Investor Magazine. TH

Well, here we are again! A very warm welcome to the 65th Edition of LI Magazine. We have another packed issue here to see you through December and Jan, but before I go any further I'd just like to say a huge personal thank you to everyone who helped make our long awaited return to live exhibitions such a stunning success. Our October shows in both Manchester and London were better than we could have ever imagined and I'd like to thank every single sponsor, speaker, panelist, exhibitor and of course guest. Your faith in the LIS brand is appreciated, and we trust you felt it well founded. We'll be blazing a trail across the UK in 2022 again with shows in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff, see show update on pages 02 07 for a review of the October shows and details of next year's activity. Back to this issue we have some fantastic content from the cream of the UK's buy-to-let property community. Ken Gould of Nova Financial considers the likely rise in interest rates on the horizon in 'A matter of interest'. Jeni Browne of Mortgages for Business discusses 'Maximizing your financial gains in 2022'. Raphael Lesser

IN THIS ISSUE

02 08 12 14

Show Update Return to live shows a stunning success.

Investment | Nova A matter of interest.

Investment | Mortgages for Business Maximising your financial gains in 2022.

Market Outlook | Loans Arena Back to base rate: What you need to know for 2022.

LANDLORD INVESTOR MAGAZINE

Editor Tracey Hanbury Design Marc Riley Photography Aneesa Dawoojee Printing IOP Marketing

of Loans Arena looks at 'Back to base rate: What you need to know for 2022.' Market Outlook continues with Reece Mennie of HJ Collection considering 'The challenges & opportunities presented by Brexit for the property sector'. We speak to Carly Jermyn of Woodstock Legal Services in 'Legal Spotlight'. Barclays offer a case study for how they are helping young people with property ambitions in 'Helping young property investors'. Jason Zhou of City Rooms explains his vision for the future of lettings in 'Pioneers in making the London room rental market safe and accessible for all', and Casita Properties look to the future of property sales in 'Gone are the days that landlords relied on traditional methods'. On the virtual show front we’re currently building a platform to deliver an online version of Landlord Investor Club in early 2022. Keep an eye on our website and to avoid missing out make sure you've registered for our email updates at www.landlordinvestmentshow.co.uk/media-subscriptions. Again, I hope you find this issue of LI Magazine helpful and on the behalf of myself on the whole LIS team, wish you the very best wishes for the festive season and coming year. TH

16 20 24 26 28 Follow us:

Market Outlook | HJ Collection The challenges & opportunities presented by Brexit for the property sector.

Legal Spotlight | Woodstock LI Magazine speaks to Woodstock Legal Services.

Finance | Barclays Helping young property investors.

Future Rentals | City Rooms Pioneers in making the London room rental market safe and accessible for all. Alternative Sales | Casita Gone are the days that landlords relied on traditional methods.

@LandlordInShow

@LandlordInvestmentShow

Statements and opinions expressed in articles, reviews and other materials herein are those of the authors; the editors and publishers and do not under any circumstances constitute investment or legal advice. While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information and every attempt made to present up-to-date and accurate information, we cannot guarantee that inaccuracies will not occur. LIS Media, Tenants History Limited and our contributors will not be held responsible for any claim, loss, damage or inconvenience caused as a result of any information within these pages or any information accessed through the promoted links. Published by LIS Media, 27 Stafford Road, Croydon CR0 4NG. www.landlordinvestmentshow.co.uk | info@landlordinvestmentshow.co.uk

S H O W U P D AT E

Return to live shows a stunning success

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

S H O W U P D AT E

After a lengthy hiatus, the National Landlord Investment Show is delighted to report the return to live events in 2021 was fantastic. It was with no small degree of trepidation which the National Landlord Investment Show team approached the return to live events this year. We’d not staged a live exhibition since 2019, reserved a huge new venue for London shows and meanwhile the nation was still emerging from the pandemic lockdown. Trusting both shows would be successful and safe took huge planning and a significant leap of faith from not only us, but our sponsors, speakers, exhibitors and of course our guests. We’d kept the home fires burning for concerned landlords and investors with the Landlord Survival Guide, marketleading online shows and the introduction of Landlord Investor Hour, but our sector which is all about people thrives on face to face interaction in a thousand different ways, and we were keen to get back to what we do best. The first stop was Manchester, which marked our 70th live show to date, and our 7th return to Old Trafford. Kicking-off (pun intended) with a regional show was probably a blessing as we eased ourselves back into the live event rhythm. We’ll refrain from the use of diminutives here, given we still had 1500 registrations, most of which were in attendance, making our first live event in nearly 2 years a stunning success by all metrics, as eager landlords, investors and property professionals buzzed around venue seeking contacts and advice like bees collecting pollen. Buoyed by the success of Manchester our attentions turned immediately to London, and just like London buses, after not having a single live event since 2019 we had two within a fortnight of each other. All pointers looked positive in the weeks before, but the new venue at Old Billingsgate really was another level. For starters it is a vast space. Secondly this wasn’t a ‘plug in and play’ event venue, Old Billingsgate required us to build the space from the ground up. The solution we’d imagined was a central area populated with light boxes, surrounded by a more traditional shell scheme. This would have been a considerable undertaking at any stage of the show’s evolution, but after such a long hiatus,

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

not to mention the post-covid caution for live events we really were in uncharted territory. Pre-show anxieties aside, we could not be happier with the result. We recorded over 3000 registrations in the build-up to the show and this was clearly evident as the Grand Hall at Billingsgate positively thrived with activity all day long. The feedback we’ve received has been fantastic, see over-leaf for a snapshot of both October live shows. The three panel debates proved a huge draw as always. Veteran Broadcaster Andrew Neil joined us again, chairing the morning session covering the still troubling subject of the impact of Covid & Brexit on the UK property market. A much covered subject but not without reason and a lively session ensued and featured Chris Bailey (Less Tax 4 Landlords), Meera Chindooroy (NRLA), David Smith (Sunday Times & Property Notify), Kam Dovedi (Premier Property Education) and Paul Shamplina (Landlord Action). Next up was Property Elevator LIVE!, which we were absolutely thrilled to be featuring. The Property Angels heard pitches galore from budding hopefuls seeking support for their property developer dreams. The session was thoroughly entertaining and it's easy to see why it's such a popular show. The afternoon session featured Property Summits, another quorum featuring five of the most respected, highly skilled and experienced names in the property industry, who set about discussing and contrasting the benefits and risks associated with developing property versus buying property to let. You can view the highlights of each via our website www.landlordinvestmentshow.co.uk/ videos. Back on the show trail we’ll be delivering an online version of Landlord Investor Club (LIC) on Jan 26. For those who are not familiar with our LIC events, they are like a distilled version of the main show, but with a focus on just a handful of our most popular exhibitors and sought after subjects.

So put Jan 26th in your diary and we’ll be in touch with details for how you can register and gain access online. We’ll be having another on August 17th as well, but before that we have no less than six live shows to deliver throughout 2022 in London, Birmingham, Manchester & Cardiff – so back to a full calendar at all compass points, full list of dates and locations below. We’ll also have more episodes of Landlord Investor Hour, LI Magazine and of course Property Notify has gone from strength to strength. Keep an eye on our website and your email inbox for details, if you’ve not already registered for media updates then we advise you do so ASAP to avoid missing out on all the superb, free to access content we have in the pipeline. Wishing all readers the warmest wishes of the season and we look forward to seeing you next year. 2022 Live Shows 15th March London, Old Billingsgate 18th May Birmingham, Aston Villa FC 5th July London, Old Billingsgate 29th September Cardiff City FC 11th October Manchester United FC 2nd November London, Old Billingsgate

We recorded over 3000 registrations in the build-up to the show and this was clearly evident as the Grand Hall at Billingsgate positively thrived with activity.

S H O W U P D AT E

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

S H O W U P D AT E

Opposite page: A buzzing and fully engaged crowd of attendees at our 26 October London Show at Old Billingsgate. London Show Panel Debates, top to bottom - Paul Mahoney from Sponsor Nova Financial in full swing with Property Elevator. Andrew Neil keeps the house in order at our Morning Panel Discussion, 'The impact of Covid & Brexit on the UK property market'. The Property Summits team discuss Property Development vs Rental - Risk & Reward. This page: An engaged and attentive audience with standing room only at all London Panel Debates. The Property Elevator Angels scrutinise a pitch from an aspiring property developer. Andrew Neil looks forward to 2022. See more images from our live events at www.landlordinvestmentshow.co.uk/ image-gallery

All images by Aneesa Dawoojee

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

S H O W U P D AT E

Our return to live shows at Old Trafford, Manchester on October 12th was positively buzzing with exhibitors and eager guests. The cupcakes on our Landlord Investment Show Hub, which were all gone by lunchtime! Tracey Hanbury Interviews Andrew Neil, watch the full conversation at www. landlordinvestmentshow.co.uk/videos Image by Aneesa Dawoojee

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

2022 SHOWS 15

MARCH

LO N D O N , O L D B I L L I N G S G AT E

M AY

B I R M I N G H A M , A S TO N V I L L A F C

5 J U LY TH

LO N D O N , O L D B I L L I N G S G AT E

29 SEPT TH

C A R D I F F C I T Y F O OT B A L L C LU B

OCT

MANCHESTER UNITED FC

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LO N D O N , O L D B I L L I N G S G AT E

W W W. L A N D LO R D I N V E S T M E N T S H OW.C O. U K

I N V E S T M E N T | N O VA

KEN GOULD N OVA F I N A N C I A L G R O U P

A matter of interest

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

I N V E S T M E N T | N O VA

% As a mortgage adviser in the current environment there is one question that you can guarantee that you will be asked, ‘When / How much are rates going to go up?’.

Whilst this is an important question to ask, especially for those applying for residential mortgages, the real answer for an investor should really be, ‘If you’re buying the right property, does it really matter?’.

And let’s not forget that we’re talking about the most average house in the most average area. Certain properties have seen more than double the annual increase compared to the average over the last decade.

keeping up with the market. Maybe it’s time to lock in a fixed rate on that variable mortgage you’ve been sat on for years. But is it time to worry about the feasibility of a buy to let investment? I don’t think so.

The key part of the above is buying the ‘right’ property. Taking the UK as a whole and averaging house prices over the last 5 years you would have seen an increase in asset value of around 5% per year. The latest forecast by Hamptons anticipates that house prices will continue to rise by around 3.5% per annum for the next 3 years. That should already outpace any interest rate rises.

So if you buy the right property, in the right location, your return on investment should more than offset the increase in rate rises that are likely coming (and may have even happened by the time you’ve read this). Maybe it’s a good time to revisit some of your investments to make sure they’re

If you would like qualified, frank and honest advice about a mid to long term property investment strategy, including finance, contact Nova Financial Group on 0203 8000 600, www.nova.finanical or info@nova.financial

So let’s take that average UK property, worth £270,000, and take a mortgage out of 75% Loan To Value on it. A 1% interest rate rise on such a loan would cost you £168 per month more. An increase in your annual letting costs of £2,016. Sounds like a lot, but that property is going up in value by £9,450 next year according to Hamptons. Same again the next year, same again the year after that. That’s not even taking into account that average rental prices too have consistently risen by around 1-2% per annum for the last 5 years. These too are expected to increase, with some forecasts expecting a 4.5% rise next year.

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

Maybe it’s time to lock in a fixed rate on that variable mortgage you’ve been sat on for years. But is it time to worry about the feasibility of a buy to let investment?

www.nova.financial

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Maximising your financial gains in 2022

12 26

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

I NVE STM E NT | M O RTGAG E S FO R B U S I N E S S

This past year has been full of ups and downs, with lockdowns, vaccines, stamp duty holidays, house price growth and SWAP rates on the rise.

If one thing is clear, it's that the housing market is continuously changing. Therefore, it's essential to look at the current market to gauge what this could mean for property investors in 2022. Demand for property over the last year has increased drastically. We can thank the pandemic for the strong growth in the market, as working from home and lockdowns have left people wanting more indoor square footage, outdoor space, and a life further out from commuter zones. However, supply is still low, so moving into 2022, we expect this saturated market to open more as this demand slows. Reflecting upon this year, now is the time to think about what you can do to maximise your financial gains in the coming months. With interest rates still low compared to pre-pandemic levels and SWAP rates on the rise, now is an opportune time to look at getting a mortgage or even a remortgage. You may find it's worth paying the early repayment charges now to secure the lower rates for future years, increasing your profit margins on buy to let properties. There's an opportunity for homeowners, too; the low rates enable a cheap way to release equity from your property. These funds can be used for value-adding refurbishment projects or investment in buy to let property!

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

Reflecting upon this year, now is the time to think about what you can do to maximise your financial gains in the coming months.

We're seeing more clients remortgage to release equity from their property. While this is often still for further investment, many landlords are now planning for the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards coming into legislation in 2025. From then, all properties with new tenancies will require an EPC rating of C, and from 2028 all buy to let properties will need this rating. Therefore, many landlords are looking to future-proof their investments with various energy efficiency improvements over the next three years. So, what will 2022 look like for Landlords? Well, we're starting the new year in a good position. The Mortgage Works reported that at the end of July 2021, landlord confidence was at its highest since that of the start of 2018. Furthermore, the experts at Savills predict house prices will continue to rise over the next five years by an average of 13%. The forecast for rental growth is even more optimistic, with an expected increase of nearly 20% by 2026! As we return to some form of new normal, we would be delighted to see as many of you as possible at the National Landlord Investment Shows in London, Birmingham and Manchester, and we look forward to what 2022 brings for the buy to let community.

MAR KE T O U TLO O K | LOAN S AR E NA

RAPHAEL LESSER LOA N S A R E N A

Back to base rate What you need to know for 2022

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

MAR KE T O U TLO O K | LOAN S AR E NA

At the end of 2021, the Bank of England raised the UK base rate from its historic low of 0.1% to 0.25%. But what does this mean for property investors and how has this affected the 2022 forecast?

Property owners who are on base rate tacker mortgages, variable rates or discount deals linked to the base rate will have been impacted the most from the increase in base rate. The mortgage market has seen a record number of mortgage applications since the beginning of the stamp duty holiday. Not all of these applications were for purchases. Some applications were for re-mortgages, with property owners opting to fix their rates - some for as long as 10 years. Overall, homeowners will be looking to repay an extra £10 to £40 per month due to the base rate increase. With the cost of living, energy bills and fuel also on the rise, this increase may be worrying. Tracked vs Fixed There have of course been discussions concerning future interest rate rises in 2022. Current predictions estimate that by 2023, the base rate could sit at 3.5%, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility. With this in mind, those looking to re-mortgage or invest in new properties may wish to consider a fixed rate. Caution should be exercised, most of us have become accustomed to the historic low interest rates over the years. Borrowers re-mortgaging need to potentially factor in the impact of fixing their mortgage rates at a higher level than they previously were paying. Of course, this will all depend on upcoming changes across the next 2-5 years.

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

Rising house prices

According to Office for National Statistics, the months following the end of the stamp duty holiday resulted in some of the uppermost property values across the UK.

Despite concerns that the rising interest will deter investors from the housing market, history does not support this theory. According to Office for National Statistics, the months following the end of the stamp duty – when there was concern the market would lose buyer interest once the saving holiday was over – resulted in the some of the uppermost UK property values across the UK; with September resulting in the highest average at £271,368. Forecasts from Savills and Zoopla are also highly positive, with many predicting house prices will increase anywhere from 3% - 5% over the next 12 months. What does this mean for homeowners? For those looking to re-mortgage, a lower loan-to-value could result in lower rates - especially as most lenders have shifted their focus on residential mortgages, shying away from the commercial mortgage sector due to the pandemic. Looking good for landlords Over the course of 2021, rental increases rose on average by 1.7% in 12 months leading up to November 2021 across the UK, with the South West and East Midlands witnessing the largest increase of 3.1% over the past year. Expectations for rental costs in 2022 predict a continuous growth for landlords, as the property shortage causes chaos for avid buyers despite the base rate rise. In fact, Zoopla’s latest UK Rental Market report has predicted a 4.5% increase for England in 2022, excluding London.

MAR KE T O U TLO O K | HJ CO LLEC TIO N

REECE MENNIE CEO, HJ COLLEC TION

The challenges & opportunities presented by Brexit for the property sector

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

MAR KE T O U TLO O K | HJ CO LLEC TIO N

Even now, over five years after the initial results of the Brexit referendum, it remains exceptionally tricky to determine the effects of Brexit – effects that will, at any rate, have ramifications and reverberations across a multitude of industries for years to come.

Debates surrounding the subject remain highly charged, with promoters and detractors alike offering strong (and sometimes exaggerated) arguments for their corners – which only muddies the waters all the more. On top of these issues, it’s now nearly impossible to disentangle the effects of Brexit from the other pressing issues of today, including the COVID-19 pandemic which is, after all, still very much ongoing. Uncertain though the topic may be, it’s beyond question that the world of property – like most sectors and industries – is facing some tough challenges as a consequence of Brexit. However, it’s important not to look at the subject short-sightedly. Bricks and mortar hold (and retain) such considerable appeal precisely because, to buyers and investors, it represents a stable and longterm benefit. As such, it’s well worth foregrounding a comment made in CBRE’s recent analysis of Brexit and real estate: “the longer-term picture is more balanced,” they note, as “initial disruptions will fade.”

The challenging nature of Brexit in the world of real estate What, then, do these “initial disruptions” look like in the property sector?

In a practical sense, the uncertainty involved in this evolving situation can only cause – as CBRE has noted – “hesitancy over real estate investment and leasing decisions.” There are also some challenging implications inherent in the loss of freedom of movement – a change which has come to emblematise Brexit as a phenomenon. In the world of property, this change might have ramifications for those developers and investors connected to student accommodation, given that EU students are now less able (or less willing) to study in the UK. In fact, the vice chancellor of the University of East Anglia has recently revealed that the University’s EU student numbers dropped by 50 per cent in 2021. While non-EU students are likely to fill this gap, this is nonetheless the kind of consideration that the smart investor will keep in mind. Freedom of movement (or the lack of it) will doubtless have other implications for the property sector, of course, especially when it comes to labour mobility – if EU labour is harder to come by, labour costs may increase for the foreseeable future.

Brexit benefits for property investors

Goods and logistics related to real estate will, at least in the short term, face new kinds of challenges in Northern Ireland.

While it’s easy to get bogged down by these kinds of projections, they should be weighed up against the actual events occurring around us.

This is, of course, a controversial aspect of Brexit as a whole, with Northern Ireland’s status acting as a sticking point over negotiations as a whole.

After all, five years have passed since the referendum, and nearly two have passed since we formally left the EU. Yet UK property is, in many ways, still flourishing.

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

House prices, for example, have – according to the ONS – increased by 13.2 per cent over the year to June 2021, representing “the highest annual growth rate the UK has seen since November 2004.” Not only is our current situation not without its merits, but Brexit is likely to hold some long-term advantages. For example, the UK’s global tariff for non-EU goods could – once the dust is settled and supply chains return to some degree of normality – give the UK what the CBRE calls a “competitive advantage access” to non-EU goods, with positive implications for construction and development when it comes to purchasing materials like cement. Returning to the CBRE analysis mentioned above also allows us to take a broader view on Brexit and property – a view which presents Brexit, not as some kind of inescapable force, but as an opportunity that we can choose to shape and mould until it produces advantages. As they put it, “disadvantages can be addressed” by “good government policy, and by firms reorienting themselves to new and faster growing markets than the EU.” Reflecting on the possible benefits and challenges of Brexit for the property sector allows us to realise how many of these possibilities can be influenced by leaders in the industry: we’re living in a shifting environment in which the right firm with the right attitude can proactively lay claim to considerable long-term advantages. Reece Mennie 17

35%

£19m

221

AVERAGE UPLIFT

TOTAL GDV

TOTAL UNITS

How We Do It We continue to work and forge relationships with several quality contractors who share our business model. Using this combined experience we develop desirable, affordable living spaces through an intelligent and innovative approach to urban regeneration. We professionally manage the whole process on behalf of investors and include investors in updates, site tours and virtual viewings.

Our Vision To produce sustainable, efficient, and affordable living accommodation for all. While establishing HJ Collection as a household name for providing dependable investment opportunities in both the development sector and alternative property investment industry.

0207 117 2583 | INFO@HJCOLLECTION.CO.UK HJCOLLECTION.CO.UK

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LEGAL S P OTLI G HT | WO O DS TO C K

C A R LY J E R M Y N D I R E C TO R , W O O D S TO C K L E G A L S E R V I C E S

Legal Spotlight

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

LEGAL S P OTLI G HT | WO O DS TO C K

LI Magazine speaks to residential law specialists, Woodstock Legal Services. Who are Woodstock Legal Services? Woodstock is a law firm regulated by the SRA with a niche practice in residential Landlord and tenant law. Woodstock was set up with the aim of making our Landlord client’s lives easier, helping them navigate the ever-changing law and the challenges faced by them whilst offering fixed fees to remove the concern over escalating solicitor’s costs. We work across England and Wales with individual and portfolio Landlords, small and large managing agents, those new to lettings and those that have been in the industry for years. Our depth of knowledge and niche experience allow our team to really cut the legal jargon and give Landlords much more useful practical solutions-based advice, whilst ensuring they do so within the remit of the law.

What services do your residential Landlord and tenant team offer? We advise on everything from possession proceedings and debt recovery to more complicated claims for damage caused to the property (we have seen it all), Landlord disrepair claims and unlawful evictions. We work with agents and portfolio Landlords providing legal helplines, bespoke and template documents, inhouse training on processes (which is more important than ever) and assistance in dealing with difficult tenants. We deal with the service of notices for lots of larger agents; a valuable service for our clients given 7 out of 10 notices we see drafted by non-legal professionals are invalid.

What is your best advice to Landlords in managing a successful portfolio? I won’t be the first person to highlight how much legislation there is for Landlords to navigate. It’s tough for non-legal professionals.

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

Landlords need to be armed with a good support team; lawyers and agents, who know the law and can make sure you are compliant and get the best possible advice in a timely manner when things run less than smoothly. It is important for Landlords to do their best to emotionally detach themselves from the property. Landlords need to see the property as their asset and a tenant’s home. All Landlords are “professional Landlords” in the eyes of the court and should run their portfolio as they would any other business.

What are some of the biggest traps you see for Landlords? We still see Landlords failing to comply with their deposit protection obligations. It’s rarely a complete failure to protect the deposit but often we see Landlords fall foul of a technicality such as failing to protect part payments or failing to keep a record of service of the prescribed information. We are also seeing a significant increase in disrepair claims. We can quickly and effectively extinguish unfounded claims for our Landlord clients where they have kept accurate records and have reacted quickly to repairs required at the property. A good agent can really help prevent disrepair claims. Solid processes ensure they can react in a timely manner, have access to a reliable network of

contractors and keep track of their efforts and any issues caused by the tenant, such as prevention of access which can later be relied upon in court.

What approach should Landlords take if they encounter a problem such as unpaid rent? At Woodstock we focus on solutions and encourage our Landlords to tackle problems openly with their tenants and seek legal advice in a timely manner. We always recommend Landlords protect their position i.e. by servicing a valid notice, but avoid an unnecessarily aggressive stance and instead communicate effectively to see if a mutually viable agreement can be reached. For example, a Landlord should seek to determine why their tenant is struggling to pay the rent and consider if there an opportunity to surrender the tenancy or negotiate a rent repayment plan and avoid the time and cost of legal proceedings. This is usually better for all concerned. If an amicable agreement cannot be reached, then having taken early legal advice, Landlords can take the decision to issue proceedings knowing they have everything in place to successfully resolve the position through the courts. Find out more about how Woodstock Legal Services can help you at www.woodstocklegalservices.co.uk

Our depth of knowledge and niche experience allow our team to really cut the legal jargon and give landlords much more useful practical solutions-based advice.

Let the experts help! > Fixed Fee Eviction Services > Recovery of Rent Arrears > Document Drafting

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woodstocklegalservices.co.uk

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Woodstock Legal Services is the trading name of Woodstock Legal Services Limited (registered in England and Wales with company number 09002137) authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA number 614145) - see www.sra.org.uk/rules).

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F I N A N C E | B A R C L AY S

Helping young property investors

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

F I N A N C E | B A R C L AY S

How a young property investor has kick-started a property portfolio with Barclays backing.

Gloucester based Foyez has seized an opportunity to follow in his ‘business-headed’ father’s footsteps by purchasing two high spec new-build flats close to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, and he’s already secured tenants for the next two years. As a mortgage adviser himself, Foyez has a keen eye for a good deal. “From a young age, I’ve been brought up to save my money, invest it and make it work,” he says. For some time, Foyez and his father have been watching the property markets in their area and nationally, so when they noticed a local builder was offering high quality properties, their research paid off. Originally, Foyez had been looking for a buy-to-let opportunity in London but realised he could buy two flats in Gloucester for the same price as one in the capital, and spread the risk. “The flats were going quick, but I hadn’t previously owned a property, so my options for finance were limited.” Foyez had a good knowledge of the mortgage products available, but ultimately felt more comfortable with a household name bank he could trust, so he approached Barclays Real Estate Manager Emma King for guidance.

“With the pandemic, I wasn’t sure about putting money down or waiting to see what would happen.” Having outlined the opportunity and his financial position to Emma, she explained the benefits of purchasing up to three properties through a

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

limited company. “Barclays’ income threshold fitted my personal circumstances, I had a healthy deposit and the rental situation looked good. I’m pretty business orientated, so setting up a limited company made sense,” Foyez says. Barclays agreed to support Foyez’ plans*. Foyez was surprised with the application process. “It was really straightforward and the underwriting was quick,” explains Foyez, “Barclays’ online systems, such as an app to check documents, made everything faster and easier than other providers I looked at.” Foyez says he is already lining up his next property purchase and will be talking to Emma again soon. “My goal is to invest and start earning a good income from my property portfolio,” he says. “Barclays gives new landlords the opportunity to get started, and I have a good relationship with Emma to help expand my investments in the future. I trust her, she’s open and explains things clearly and simply.” To find out more speak to your local Real Estate Manager or visit Barclays. co.uk/real-estate

Any property used as security, which could include your home, may be repossessed if you don’t keep up repayments on your mortgage. *Terms and Conditions apply. Subject to application, financial circumstances and borrowing history.

It was really straightforward and the underwriting was quick. Barclays’ online systems, such as an app to check documents, made everything faster and easier than other providers I looked at.

F U T U R E R E N TA L S | C I T Y R O O M S

JASON ZHOU D I R E C TO R , C I T Y R O O M S

City Rooms Pioneers in making the London room rental market safe and accessible for all.

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

F U T U R E R E N TA L S | C I T Y R O O M S

City Rooms founder Jason Zhou reflects upon vibrant city living and a moment of inspiration which led to a pioneering solution for offering top quality rooms in the Capital.

The beginning London is an incredible place to live. It is about energy, innovation, opportunity and having a fantastic time. You can do anything here, but I will never forget arriving in Whitechapel in 2002. My cool, new London loft turned out to be the width of a single bed and so dirty it took me four days to clean. A few weeks later I had a "what if" moment! What if moving to London was a joy, not a misery? What if you could pick a stylish place online, and it would be even better in reality? What if you could a drop into your agency for a coffee and a chat with people who listen? My friends said, "Go on, Jason, do it." And so I did!

We genuinely care It is inspiring to create something unique, and those first six months of City Rooms were some of the best of my life. Together with my amazing wife, we shaped City Rooms on values we believed in and how we wanted to live our lives including trust, reliability, quality, value and genuinely caring. By 2010 City Rooms was bigger than I could ever imagine. At home, I now had two gorgeous children tearing around with sticky fingers, and I started thinking how living with other people is a messy business! I realised we needed to lavish a lot of time and attention on our rooms, renovating them to stay fresh and inviting. So we reinvested, and we grew and grew.

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

Special for both our tenants and landlords We like to build relationships that last. That's why we designed a business that looks after our landlords so you can rely on us and we can grow together. We understand you want to maximise returns on your investment, so there is no costly management fee, no commission, and we guarantee your rent arrives on time every month. Our dedicated team of trusted cleaners and maintenance staff keep your property immaculate and, we allocate you an expert advisor with specialist knowledge of HMO regulations. City Rooms enjoys unparalleled success and an unrivalled reputation among landlords because we are highly selective at every stage, from our agency staff to our landlords, tenants and rooms. We only work with the best, and we deliver the best so that you can relax and enjoy all the benefits of your property, stress-free.

We like to build relationships that last. That's why we designed a business that looks after our landlords so you can rely on us and we can grow together.

A LT E R N AT I V E S A L E S | C A S I TA

W W W. C A S I TA P R O P E R T I E S . C O . U K

Gone are the days...

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

A LT E R N AT I V E S A L E S | C A S I TA

...that landlords relied on traditional methods to sell their buy-to-let properties. Savvy sellers now realise that they will be better served using specialist professionals who have investors ready to buy and are actively searching for their next property purchase. Not only does this mean that they do not have to advertise their property online in the hope that a serious and proceedable buyer will come to them, more importantly they avoid the hassle of multiple viewings, disgruntled tenants and timewasters. At Casita Properties, we demonstrate that the best sales strategy for a landlord is to sell to another landlord with a seamless transfer of tenancy. The landlord is happy, the tenants are happy – it’s really a no brainer.

provided along with heads of terms to formally instruct Casita Properties to sell the property.

• An insight into our clients Over the years, we have built strong relationships with many well respected Financial Advisors, Mortgage Brokers and Investment Houses. We have become their preferred company to refer their pre-qualified clients to purchase lucrative buy to let properties through. All of our buyers have one common goal, gaining a passive income through property as an investment vehicle. Our clients come from a variety of circumstances including: •

Why seller’s come back to us From reservation to completion, we liaise with every party involved in the transaction. We make sure your sale is at the top of the pile with the professionals acting for both you and the buyer. Selling property is fraught with potential communication delays when so many different individuals are involved; we differ from the rest because we positively affect the timescale by ironing out problems so that your sale progresses in the desired timescale. Our service takes into account your busy schedule and we focus on getting your sale completed with the least amount of fuss, effort and uncertainty. How does Casita work? Casita will do an initial desktop valuation based on the information you provide to us. Once this has been assessed by one of the team, you will be given a marketing price subject to a successful viewing by one of our experts. A viewing will be arranged on the property, typically within 48 hours, where an inspection of the property’s condition and all marketing material will be collected. Once this has been completed, the official valuation will be

LANDLORD INVESTOR 65TH EDITION

What kind of properties do we specialise in selling?

• • • • •

Releasing equity from their residential property Investing an inheritance Withdrawing money from an underperforming pension Using savings that are seeing low interest rates Investing money from work related bonuses Investors looking to expand their portfolios

• • • • • • • •

Tenanted income producing properties Properties with no onward chain Properties being sold with vacant possession Off plan properties New build properties (Including entire sites) Houses of Multiple occupancy (HMOs) Blocks of apartments Refurbishment opportunities Probate and repossessed properties

What type of sellers do we work with? • • • • • • • •

Homeowners Landlords Developers Estate Agents Property Sourcers Banks and Building Societies Funds and Institutions Financial advisors and Solicitors dealing with probates

To find out more call 0204 532 7428 or visit www.casitaproperties.co.uk

Over the years, we have built strong relationships with many well respected Financial Advisors, Mortgage Brokers and Investment Houses. We have become their preferred company to refer their prequalified clients to purchase lucrative buy to let properties through.

Are you tired of… Endless viewings? Unqualified buyers? Time wasters? Unwanted delays? Unrealistic offers? Chain sales? Selling a property online can be a major headache, fraught with problems. Our mission is to revolutionise this by selling your buy to let property off market to buyers who are chain free, financially approved and by managing your sale from start to finish. Call us now and discuss your needs with us on 0204 532 7428

www.casitaproperties.co.uk

LANDLORD I N V E STO R C LU B ONLINE L A U N C H I N G S H O R T LY

LANDLORD INVESTOR CLUB

Learn. Network. Invest. Following the success of the National Landlord Investment Show Online and Landlord Investor Hour we've decided to take Landlord Investor Club online too. Landlord Investor Club (LIC) allows members entry to exclusive panel sessions and private

seminars presented by some of the property sector's most sought after experts. LIC members are offered privileged access to a hand-picked selection of speakers discussing some of the hottest subjects for UK landlords, Investors and property professionals.

Join the next LIC event to hear valuable expert advice regarding property investment, financial advice, wealth management, build to rent, taxation and legal, plus access to exclusive offers of opportunities. Find and more and register for free admission via our website.