9:35 AM, 28th October 2024, About 3 hours ago
Text Size
Starting out in property investing is an exciting journey, with various strategies to explore. This guide will introduce five popular property investment strategies, each with unique demands on time, knowledge, and financial resources. We’ll look at single let properties, two types of HMOs, serviced accommodation, flips, and conversions. >> The Buy-to-Let Blueprint – Becoming an Investor
A single let is a standard buy-to-let property rented out to one household under an Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement. This strategy is popular among beginners due to its straightforward approach and minimal regulatory requirements.
What’s Involved:
Initial Costs: Deposit (usually 25% of the property price), legal fees, and potentially refurbishment works.
Management Time: Low-maintenance once let, with occasional communication and property maintenance.
Income: Stable, with minimal void periods due to longer tenancies.
Knowledge & Regulations: Fewer regulations, tenancy laws, EPC standards, and mandatory safety checks is essential.
Pros: Lower entry costs, stable rental income, and less intensive management.
Cons: Lower rental yield compared to other strategies.
HMOs, or Houses in Multiple Occupation, are rented to multiple tenants with shared facilities. HMOs fall into two categories: standard HMOs and converted HMOs, each with different demands and regulations.
Standard HMOs
A standard shared HMO is typically a property rented by the room to multiple unrelated tenants who share common areas like the kitchen and bathroom. This model often appeals to young professionals and students and can be profitable due to higher room-by-room rental rates.
What’s Involved:
Initial Costs: Modest investment is needed for furnishings and minor upgrades to communal spaces.
Management Time: Moderate, as you’ll need to address tenant turnover and communal area maintenance/cleaning.
Income: Higher than single lets, with each room rented separately, reducing the risk of full vacancy.
Knowledge & Regulations: In some areas, renting by the room may still require licensing depending on the number of tenants and local council regulations.
Converted HMOs (Enhanced HMO Model)
Converted HMOs involve remodelling a property to add features like en-suite bathrooms, transforming it into a premium multi-tenant property. These tend to attract professionals seeking privacy, resulting in higher rental yields.
What`s Involved:
Initial Costs: Higher than shared HMOs, as en-suites, safety systems, and additional amenities need to be installed. A more significant refurbishment is often required.
Management Time: Increased due to ongoing maintenance, room turnovers, and more detailed compliance with health and safety standards.
Income: Generally higher than standard HMOs due to the added value of en-suites and amenities.
Knowledge & Regulations: Converted HMOs often require an HMO license, especially if five or more tenants occupy the property across multiple floors. Additionally, specific planning permissions and enhanced fire safety systems are usually required.
Article 4 and Planning Permission
In some areas, councils have imposed Article 4 directions, which remove “permitted development rights” that would normally allow conversions from a single-let to an HMO without planning permission. Under Article 4, landlords must apply for planning permission to convert a property into an HMO, whether it’s a standard shared HMO or a converted HMO.
This restriction is common in areas with high-density student populations or where councils aim to manage the balance of family housing and HMOs. Before purchasing a property for HMO conversion, it’s vital to check if Article 4 applies and whether an HMO license is required for your intended rental setup.
Pros of HMOs: High rental income and flexibility in tenanting arrangements.
Cons: Greater upfront investment, more complex regulations, and higher management demands.
Serviced accommodation, or holiday lets, involves renting a furnished property on a short-term basis. Properties are typically rented out by the night or week to travellers or business professionals. Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com make it easy to market these properties.
What’s Involved:
Initial Costs: Costs include furnishings, amenities, photography, and platform fees.
Management Time: Higher due to frequent guest turnovers, cleaning, and marketing. Professional management companies are an option.
Income: High but variable, often with peak and off-peak seasons.
Knowledge & Regulations: Certain councils require short-term let licenses and impose limits on nightly stays.
Pros: High rental income potential.
Cons: Seasonality, complex management, and potential local restrictions.
Flipping properties involves buying, renovating, and selling a property for a profit. This strategy is ideal for those who want a short-term investment option and have a knack for spotting undervalued properties.
What’s Involved:
Initial Costs: Higher due to purchase and refurbishment costs.
Management Time: High, as flipping requires overseeing renovation projects or doing the work yourself and then marketing the property.
Income: High potential profit if timed well, but market fluctuations can affect returns.
Knowledge & Regulations: Strong knowledge of renovations, the local market, and transaction costs is crucial.
Pros: Potential for high returns in a short period.
Cons: Risk of loss if the market dips or renovations exceed the budget.
Converting a single-let property or family home into an HMO can be a profitable approach if room rentals are in high demand. This strategy requires significant remodelling to meet HMO standards and potentially enhanced licensing and planning requirements.
What’s Involved:
Initial Costs: Includes expenses for remodelling to add rooms, en-suites, and safety systems. An HMO license and planning permission may also be needed.
Management Time: Higher due to having to complete the renovation and then when let compliance checks, ongoing tenant interactions, and room turnovers.
Income: Often higher than single lets as tenants pay per room. The property’s value will also be increased following the refurbishment.
Knowledge & Regulations: Article 4 may apply, requiring planning permission or a licence may be required and additional fire and safety compliance are needed.
Pros: Increased rental yield by maximizing property space and an uplift in value.
Cons: High initial investment and regulatory requirements.
When deciding which strategy to pursue, consider your available capital, time commitment, and risk tolerance. Here’s a summary to guide your choice:
Low Budget, Simple Management: Single lets are a good entry point for beginners.
Moderate Budget, Higher Yield: HMOs, whether standard or converted, can increase cash flow but require more active management and knowledge.
Short-Term Profits: Flipping works well for those who can complete or oversee renovations and monitor market trends.
High Income, Active Management: Serviced accommodation can provide high returns but demands time and operational commitment.
Value-Adding Conversions: Converting properties into HMOs adds rental value and increases the value of the property but requires renovation or project management skills and knowledge of local regulations.
If you’re just starting out in property investing and feel that the single let strategy could be right for you, check out my online program, The Buy To Let Blueprint – Becoming An Investor. In this course, I’ll guide you through every step of purchasing a safe and profitable buy-to-let property, from research and financing to legal considerations and managing tenants.
If you’re just getting started in property investing and want to ensure you avoid common, costly mistakes, check out my Buy To Let Blueprint online course. It guides you through every step of purchasing a safe and profitable buy-to-let investment property. You can learn more about my course here.
