The HMO Success Podcast with Wendy Whittaker-Large HMO Success

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, andthousands 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 [Pleasecapitalise the “The” when referring to The Independent Landlord]Instagram: @indie_landlordX: @indie_landlordLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannesmithblogger/Good Landlording podcast website: https://goodlandlording.comGood 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/UCNoytRBDtQ0KpvEenr067wwTED'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. 
 
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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