The HMO Success Podcast with Wendy Whittaker-Large

Caroline Pattinson is the dynamic and creative founder of Chester Homeshare, a co-living brand situated in the beautiful city of Chester. I've been trying to get her as a guest on the podcast for a while and when we finally met we had so much to discuss. Caroline has a background in banking and commerce so she 'gets' the problem posed by increased regulation in the HMO market. She also discusses the opportunities that are available to investors when they see that changes could mean upping their game for greater rewards and easier lettings. I think you'll find our fireside chat (well zoomside chat) eye opening and stimulating and I'm sure you'll enjoy hearing Caroline's passion come through in all that she does. She has a very touching back story and is a unique person making waves - not only in her locality but in the influence and standards that she challenges us all with now! https://www.facebook.com/ChesterHomeshare/

HMO Action Group Conference: Why you should be there! https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hmoaction/1582464 Join me in my latest episode as I dive into why the upcoming HMO Action Group Conference on May 1st is a must-attend event for anyone involved in HMOs. In this episode, I break down: Early bird tickets are still available, but they're going fast! Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting to get involved, this conference offers something valuable for everyone involved in HMOs. Don't miss this opportunity to be part of the movement. Secure your spot today at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/hmoaction/1582464

In this episode I discuss the latest consultation launched by the Government on 7th Feb 2025 on 'Improving the energy performance of privately rented homes'. This is in conjunction with the previous consultation about the way EPCs are to be assessed. This is the 'Reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings regime' consultation. It's good to see that HMOs are mentioned in each document (in other words the Government are aware that we exist)! The only problem is that it could cause huge upset again to the sector. Combining this with the Renters Rights Bill, I think we will see more landlords exit the market and others finding that the upgrades are not possible to achieve. I'd love your opinions though! ============================ For more information, guidance and support to help you invest in HMOs and create a profitable property portfolio, please head on over to my website www.hmosuccess.co.uk You'll find some free downloads to learn about HMOs as a high cashflowing strategy and how you can get started with very little money. If you want to learn more about my amazing tips which I compiled in my book '101 Essential Tips for Running a Professional HMO' you can get your own copy FREE (Just pay postage and packing) www.101essentialtips.co.uk For a FREE 30 minute call for any help you might need with HMOs, and to understand what I can offer you to help you progress your portfolio, please book a call here. I look forward to hearing from you! Wendy

HMO Market Predictions for 2025 - E - Energy I - Inflation E- Employment I - Interest Rates and R - Regulation For more information, guidance and support to help you invest in HMOs and create a profitable property portfolio, please head on over to my website www.hmosuccess.co.uk You'll find some free downloads to learn about HMOs as a high cashflowing strategy and how you can get started with very little money. If you want to learn more about my amazing tips which I compiled in my book '101 Essential Tips for Running a Professional HMO' you can get your own copy FREE (Just pay postage and packing) www.101essentialtips.co.uk/ For a FREE 30 minute call for any help you might need with HMOs, and to understand what I can offer you to help you progress your portfolio, please book a call here: https://calendly.com/wendy-w-large I look forward to hearing from you! Wendy ---------------------------------------- Daniel Hill’s 2025 predictions podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/270-2025-property-market-predictions/id1498618503?i=1000682987558 Adam Lawrence - Partners in Property February Supplement - https://partners-property.com/supplement-2-feb-25-the-new-dawn/ ---------------------------------------------- Transcription: Hello and welcome to the first episode of the HMO success podcast for 2025. I've had a little bit of a break over Christmas and New Year and decided that it was time for me to take a few weeks off recording a podcast. I wanted to review things that were filtering through the pipeline, like the renter's rights bill. I also wanted to take stock of other people's views and opinions about the outlook for 2025 and consider what some of those impacts are going to be for this year. So while many people might have released their predictions and property thoughts for 2025 on the 1st of January, I'm a month late. I hope that you will find that this podcast will give you some thoughtful reflection on what has been an interesting January. First of all, I'd like to say a massive thank you to those of you who listen to this podcast and write to me when I haven't done an episode and say "Wendy, when's the next episode coming out?" Thank you ever so much. You keep me accountable, keep me on my toes. And I hope that this podcast helps you as you invest in HMOs. I'd also like to thank everybody who participates in the community and who's investing in HMOs and gives me lots of food for thought, content, ideas, and subjects to tackle. I'm looking forward to 2025. I think it's going to be a very interesting year. What I mean by that is it's going to be one where we're going to have to use our intelligence to navigate the market. Today's podcast is very much about using our intelligence, crunching some of the numbers and thinking more deeply about some of the statistics you might have already heard since the first of January. There are a couple of people I want to give a quick shout out to who produce excellent material and whose views and opinions I value highly. One of them is Daniel Hill. He has the entrepreneurs podcast. He is very much about looking at business and growing your property portfolio as a business. I listen to a podcast of his a while ago and I thought it was excellent and I would agree with a lot of his conclusions. I'll put the link in the notes so you can jump over and listen to his podcast if you wish to. The other person I'd like to mention is Adam Lawrence from Partners in Property. His property predictions or update on the market - he does a monthly newsletter for Partners in Property. That was released today and I've been mulling over some of those statistics that he's released. Again, I'll put the link in the show notes so you can go over to that and read his notes on the general wider housing market. Today, I want to focus on my chosen topic, which is HMOs and predictions for 2025. I'm really delighted that today you have the honor of listening, not just to me, but also to my...

Sam Cooke is the owner and editor of Blue Bricks magazine - a people focused property magazine. But when he started he was just an employee. How did he end up being the boss? And how is he creating an expanding business which is serving property people all over the UK? In this revealing interview, Sam shares the secret sauce which has enabled him to grow the circulation and readership of Blue Bricks - and likewise its reputation. He has big plans for 2025 but his feet are firmly on the ground, and in this interview he shares why no is such an important word and why quick decision making is a core skill for any entrepreneur to master. I loved his approach to business and the value of keeping the priorities at the top of his agenda by using one small word! To find out more about Sam and Blue Bricks follow this link: https://bluebricksmagazine.com/

In this episode of the HMO Success Podcast, I have the pleasure of hosting George Samoila, a respected property developer and investor based in Manchester, who also hosts the Manchester Property Investor Breakfast. George has built an impressive reputation as a savvy investor with a deep knowledge of Manchester’s property market and a talent for identifying high-yielding investment opportunities. In our conversation, George opens up about his own journey from initial investments to scaling a successful property portfolio and becoming a local leader in this sector. We dive into some of the most pressing issues affecting HMO landlords today—from navigating regulatory changes to managing tenant relationships effectively. George also shares his expert strategies on financing, finding off-market deals, and maximizing rental income, We kick things off by exploring George’s unique background—what initially drew him to property investment and how he’s navigated the challenges and opportunities along the way. Together, we dive into what defines the Manchester property market, examining current trends, key areas of growth, and the factors driving both rental demand and property values. George also reveals what he believes truly makes a great HMO. From layout and design to tenant management and amenities, he shares his philosophy on creating high-quality HMOs that attract stable tenants and deliver consistent returns. Whether you’re a property professional or just curious about the industry, this episode offers invaluable insights from one of Manchester’s leading investors. Don’t miss it! If you decide you want to attend the breakfast here is your link: https://www.meetup.com/manchester-property-investor-breakfast/ Be warned though: Tickets sell out fast!

Ed Kercher is an architectural technologist who founded HMO Designers (a national HMO design practice), and learnt the inside out way of developing HMOs. After realising that there was a faster, better way to do Due Diligence, he created HMO Checker - www.hmochecker.co.uk. His goal with HMO checker is to make concise and accurate HMO data available to all. In this podcast (which I have also recorded as a video so you can see the product in its demo phase - see my YouTube channel here), he describes how it works and the hours of time it will save you if you are doing HMO due diligence. If you're interested in getting on the waiting list or want to buy for yourself please use the code WENDY123 in the checkout box on the website (www.hmochecker.co.uk) this will get the user a 2-week free trial and 10 free credits to try out (this is usually 7 days with 5 credits), the 10 credits are worth £20. You can contact Ed here: Edward Kercher Founder, CIAT Affiliate on behalf of HMO Designers. email// edward@hmodesigners.co.uk website // hmodesigners.co.uk phone // +44 7700 161419

Today's episode is very pertinent to the current times. With a snap election just called, and disarray over the Renters Reform Bill (now that it has been shelved) there's a lot of uncertainty around. What if we get a labour government? What will their stance be on tenants and landlords? Will the Conservatives make another stab at a RRB if they win? My partner to discuss all of these issues is Suzanne Smith - a lawyer turned self-managing landlord with a portfolio of houses in Maidstone, Kent. She came to property investing fairly late when she “retired” as a corporate lawyer at the age of 51, after working for 25 years in senior in-house legal roles for multinational biotech companies. Suzanne started to share what she was learning as a landlord on her Instagram account, @indie_landlord, with practical reels that also drew on her experience and training as a lawyer. This led to her setting up her blog, The Independent Landlord, in August 2022, which provides reliable, free content on all aspects of being a landlord. It’s grown to be one of the biggest blogs for landlords, with almost 20,000 click throughs on Google each month, and thousands of subscribers to her weekly newsletter. She co-hosts a new weekly podcast called Good Landlording with Richard Jackson, a landlord with a large portfolio who runs the property management software, Alphaletz. Suzanne is also an independent member of Propertymark’s disciplinary tribunal. Website and social media links: The Independent Landlord website: https://theindependentlandlord.com [Please capitalise the “The” when referring to The Independent Landlord] Instagram: @indie_landlord X: @indie_landlord LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannesmithblogger/ Good Landlording podcast website: https://goodlandlording.com Good Landlording on the podcast apps: Spotify, Apple, Amazon

With a wealth of experience spanning various facets of the property industry, Craig Phillips is a seasoned professional renowned for his expertise in property management. As the founder and owner of G8 Property in South Yorkshire, Craig has dedicated nearly a decade to providing exceptional property management services and coaching and mentoring property investors and letting agencies across the country. Smart Energy Solution, a pioneer in energy efficiency, was founded by Craig Phillips, a former military professional turned HMO landlord and award-winning letting agent. Phillips' extensive experience in the property industry illuminated a significant opportunity in energy management. Recognizing the growing need for sustainable and cost-effective energy solutions, he innovated TED, a smart energy-saving device, specifically designed to address the unique challenges faced by HMO landlords. In this podcast he does a live demonstration which you can see on my Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNoytRBDtQ0KpvEenr067ww TED's remarkable efficiency in reducing energy bills quickly garnered attention, leading to its widespread adoption not only by landlords but also by homeowners and hotels. This expansion marks a significant milestone in Smart Energy Solutions' journey, positioning TED as a versatile and indispensable tool in the quest for energy conservation and sustainability. To contact Craig: 01226 664435 www.smartenergysolution.co.uk

LEA Property Solutions was founded two decades ago by an enterprising individual fresh out of university. It began as a personal quest for ideal accommodation for Lucy. Frustrated by the lack of suitable options in Ipswich town center, she took matters into her own hands. Sourcing a property and persuading her parents to take on a mortgage, she set up her own house share. Little did she know that this endeavour would reveal a niche market waiting to be tapped. Within a year and a half, the solo venture had expanded to managing five properties for family and friends. The allure of this lucrative rental model prompted her to leave her job and focus solely on her property business. Her passion for HMOs (House in Multiple Occupation) remained unwavering—the ethos was clear: providing tenants with a home they could be proud of. Fast forward to the present day. and LEA Property Solutions has blossomed into a thriving enterprise. With a team of five, she operates out of the Westerfield Business Centre. Her portfolio includes over 40 properties and 250 tenancies, catering to both working professionals and student house shares. But it doesn’t end there. She offers additional property services, from sourcing to renovation management and interior design advice. Her experience and passion drive her to share insights at property events and podcasts, connecting with like-minded individuals in the industry. To contact Lucy and find out more about what she does (and how she can help you if you're investing in Ipswich) her are her details! Lucy Lea Managing Director LEA Property Solutions LTD 07811217072 Registered Company number 9022391 www.leapropertysolutions.co.uk

My guest this week has a vast financial and business background which made his entry into property investing an interesting one! Utilising his understanding and knowledge of the macro economic picture, he has been able to translate all those figures and graphs into meaningful content to help others invest wisely. Adam Lawrence has built a significant portfolio through adding value, leveraging safely and finding potential that others have missed. He now owns other businesses which are in the business of supporting his property investments. The central tenets are risk management and sustainable growth in a sector which is crying out for reform, efficiency, and ethical business people. It was enlightening, educational and highly interesting to interview Adam - I discovered a lot I didn't know alongside our joint passion for seeing the 'bigger picture' when it comes to property investing.

Ethan Roscoe originates from South Africa. He came to the UK to start a new life and soon saw the possibilities that property investing offered him. After redundancy he came to realise the power of owning assets, and in this week's interview, he shares how he has maximised the assets to their full. In the early days, he adopted the suggestion to use his car as a tool for marketing - until a very funny thing happened. It had me in stitches of laughter. I wonder if it will make you laugh too 😁 Ethan has experienced the highs and lows of property and he has words of wisdom for those starting out in HMOs today. I think you'll get a warm glow listening to his story and realising that HMOs are possible for us all.

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 mentor for a year - a year in which they achieved some fantastic results. It was great to catch up with them and see how far they have expanded and what their plans are for the future. ---------------------- For more information, guidance and support to help you invest in HMOs and create a profitable property portfolio, please head on over to my website www.hmosuccess.co.uk You'll find some free downloads to learn about HMOs as a high cashflowing strategy and how you can get started with very little money. If you want to learn more about my amazing tips which I compiled to help people just like you, you can get your own copy of my '101 Essential Tips for Running a Professional HMO' here. (Just pay postage and packing). For a FREE 30 minute call for any help you might need with HMOs, and to understand what I can offer you to help you progress your portfolio, please book a call here: https://fwfozt-free.10to8.com/ I look forward to hearing from you! Wendy

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 area, you can make them work like clockwork, and you can outsource as much as possible too. By doing so, you'll free up your time to lead, strategise and develop your business. This is crucial, as good business design leads to good life design. ----------------------------------------------- For more information, guidance and support to help you invest in HMOs and create a profitable property portfolio, please head on over to my website www.hmosuccess.co.uk You'll find some free downloads to learn about HMOs as a high cashflowing strategy and how you can get started with very little money. If you want to learn more about my amazing tips which I compiled to help people just like you, you can get your own copy of my '101 Essential Tips for Running a Professional HMO' here. (Just pay postage and packing). https://www.hmosuccess.co.uk/101-book-pp My facebook group is a lively community of HMO investors where you can find tips and tricks to investing in HMOs and you can join here. https://facebook.com/groups/TheUltimateHMOSuccessSystem/ For a FREE 30 minute call for any help you might need with HMOs, and to understand what I can offer you to help you progress your portfolio, please book a call here: https://fwfozt-free.10to8.com/ I look forward to hearing from you!

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 regime as they now grapple with what this means for them? Wendy and Andy break down the implications of these changes, offering valuable insights for small business owners and property investors alike. Tune in to stay informed and prepared in the ever-evolving financial landscape.

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 has become a trailblazer in the realm of supported housing and HMO development in the UK. She is also the founder of Partners in Property - one of the UKs most well known and respected networking communities. Throughout our conversation, Sue shared invaluable insights into her innovative approach to creating homes that work exceptionally well for those in need. She discusses the pros and cons of working in this sector, what you need to know to get into this area of housing and the challenges you might face. If you would like to be notified when I hold another live online session and ask your questions to my expert speakers, please email me on wendy@hmosuccess.co.uk or visit https://www.hmosuccess.co.uk/contact/ If you want to learn more, tickets to her Social Housing debate (as mentioned on the podcast) can be reserved here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/big-social-housing-debate-sue-sims-sarah-walker-lisa-brown-toby-wilde-simon-tickets-848444238557?aff=erellivmlt https://suesims.co.uk/ https://partners-property.com/

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 Charrier is the guy I'm talking about, and I think you'll love his fresh, innovative approach. Their mission is simple: to create beautiful, spacious student homes to inspire. As they say: 'The perfect balance of social life and study life, they’re designed for you to succeed. At Uni, at life'. If you're thinking about student HMOs or you've already got some but are looking for ways to stand out in a crowded market, then Tom might just be the person to help you. In today's episode he also shares ways in which he and Philippa are making inroads supporting students with their overall wellbeing and mental health. Inspiring, creative and thought-provoking. You can contact Tom here: https://fatproperties.co.uk/ ------------- For more information, guidance and support to help you invest in HMOs and create a profitable property portfolio, please head on over to my website www.hmosuccess.co.uk You'll find some free downloads to learn about HMOs as a high cashflowing strategy and how you can get started with very little money. If you want to learn more about my amazing tips which I compiled to help people just like you, you can get your own copy of my '101 Essential Tips for Running a Professional HMO' here. (Just pay postage and packing). For a FREE 30 minute call for any help you might need with HMOs, and to understand what I can offer you to help you progress your portfolio, please book a call here: https://fwfozt-free.10to8.com/ I look forward to hearing from you! Wendy

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 then, Paul has launched his own breakfast networking group in Leeds which he hosts monthly, taken up surfing, and as a family they are keen travellers sharing motorhome life with their daughter, Millie. Their courage to ask what they really want in life and to do it, is a shining example of a lifestyle rather than an empire business. Paul is a great advocate of finding what you're good at and doing it well. And letting others do the rest! He shares how he is using his knowledge of investing, money markets and property to ensure that his income and wealth are protected and growing whilst still having an amazing quality of life and lots of fun doing it! I find Paul inspiring, lovely and insightful and I was so pleased to have him once more as my guest on the HMO Success Podcast. Contact him via his website - https://paullanfear.com/

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 property investors, incorporating unique real-world examples. He shares invaluable resources for a deeper understanding of tax allowances and reliefs. The episode delves into a range of tax-related topics such as stamp duty land tax (SDLT) breaks, practical strategies to evade stamp duty land tax, and the benefits of incorporation relief. Continuing the enlightening discussion, this episode broadens into refinancing strategies, fixed deals, and tax predicaments. It provides an in-depth exploration into a practical case study demonstrating tax-saving mechanisms in the property arena, thereby uncovering the lesser known prospects of property incorporation. The podcast transitions into detailed, real-world examples demonstrating how capital allowances can drastically decrease future tax liabilities. It discusses the benefits of land remediation relief, especially for asbestos contamination. Beyond this, Shaz shares his experience with negotiating with local councils for rate relief and tips on intelligent business tactics like strategic decision making on property to secure tax benefits. This episode of the HMO Success Podcast is filled with practical advice and hands-on examples aimed at property investors looking to maximize their investment returns while minimizing their tax liabilities. Tune in to gain invaluable knowledge on tax efficiency strategies for property investment. To contact Shaz you can email him at shaz@aa-accountants.co.uk You can buy his book on Amazon here : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Property-Investors-Tax-Guide-Progressive/dp/1909846678#:~:text=Written%20in%20a%20straightforward%20and,and%20examples%20from%20real%20life.

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 the system that influence landlords, tenants, and millions of UK residents. Unravel the correlation between the post office scandal and the impending HMO council tax reform in this riveting session. Discover what led to the government's scramble in 1992 to move on from poll taxes, resulting in the current poorly defined and misunderstood council tax legislation affecting landlords and tenants alike. Understand how systemic miscarriages of justice mirror this scandal. Through compelling dialogue, Wendy articulates the dire consequences of the flawed system that stifle ordinary citizens, hinder fair representation, and maintain dubious rulings. Emphasizing the urgency of legal aid accessibility for those affected by wrongful decisions, this episode further delves into the unaddressed matter of backdated council taxes. Drawing parallels between the post office scandal and council tax, the conversations underline the necessity of collective action for systemic change. Highlighting the powerhouse of the HMO Council Tax Reform group, this episode stands testament to their relentless fight for fair representation, reminiscent of the historic Magna Carta. Ending on an optimistic note, Wendy brings forward affirming updates from the HMO Council Tax Reform Group, showing commitment to righting the system's imbalances and injustices. Tune in for an enlightening discussion about the course for a just system for all those grappling with the complexities of the HMO council tax legal framework.