The LandlordlordZONE podcast

Caught between a rock and a hardening insurance market

In this episode of Hamilton Fraser’s Property Podcast, Eddie and Paul are joined by special guest, Steve Barnes, Associate Director at Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance, to discuss the causes of the current hardening insurance market and what landlords can do to mitigate any problems with their portfolio. Eddie, Paul and Steve delve into what is really meant by the term ‘hardening insurance market’, what direct impact this has on landlords and their policies, why rate increases happen and the importance of understanding the ins and outs of your landlord insurance policy to get best value for money. Steve also explains why it is vital that landlords secure a comprehensive landlord insurance policy that is tailored to their specific requirements, and how this can help to reduce your premium.

Landlords, agents and tenants survey the sector

Hamilton Fraser’s Property Podcast is back for the first podcast of 2021. After what was a testing year, Eddie and Paul discuss the changing nature of the sector, and what the year ahead likely has in store for landlords, including how to navigate any hurdles along the way. Eddie and Paul are re-joined a year on by Matt Hooker and Nick Hamatsos, Co-founders of deposit replacement membership scheme, Ome, who discuss what it was like to launch their new deposit membership during a global pandemic. After a year of working hard to help increase choice and transparency within the market, Matt and Nick also review the results of their latest co-branded private rented sector sentiment survey which gained incredible industry insights from over 14,200 tenants, landlords and agents throughout the UK. The results help to remind us that with a new year come new opportunities.

Let’s wrap it up (2020 property round up)

And just like that, the year is over! In what has been a strange and tumultuous year to say the least, Eddie and Paul sprinkle some festive property magic into the last Hamilton Fraser property podcast of 2020. Eddie and Paul reflect on the lows, highs and everything in-between as they examine the unprecedented, bizarre and at times frankly unbelievable year. In a round of quick-fire questions, Eddie and Paul discuss how the private rented sector has adapted and overcome the trials and tribulations of a pandemic, continued to offer investment opportunities, healed fractious landlord/tenant relations, and supported the rise of Proptech like never before. With a forward-thinking view, Eddie and Paul conclude their final podcast of the year by providing their best advice for landlords and letting agents in preparing for 2021.

Landlords, lenders and mortgages – how can you secure the best deal?

In the latest episode of Hamilton Fraser’s property podcast, Eddie and Paul are joined by special guest, Daniel Lee, a Mortgage Broker at Total Landlord Mortgages, Hamilton Fraser’s latest property product. With over 20 years’ experience in the industry, Daniel explains that, irrespective of whether you are a budding new landlord or an existing landlord looking to expand your portfolio, understanding the benefits of using a specialist mortgage broker is invaluable. Daniel dives into the current demand for specialist buy to let mortgages over high-street lenders, the importance of responsible lending, how to find the best mortgage rate and how to access the best broker for your personal property needs. Eddie, Paul and Daniel also discuss the buoyancy of the rental market, long term property opportunities and how COVID-19 has inevitably impacted lending – is now the right time to invest?

From the frontline of mediation (tenant troubles, rent arrears and resolution)

In the latest episode of Hamilton Fraser’s property podcast, Eddie and Paul are joined by special guest, Steve Bowen, a Mediator at the Property Redress Scheme with over 40 years’ experience in the property industry, and an experienced landlord himself. With courts closed for six months during the first COVID-19 lockdown, landlords face an uphill battle securing an eviction and reclaiming outstanding rent arrears. As an industry veteran, Steve provides his unique insights into mediation and how it can benefit landlords and tenants by helping them to avoid court proceedings through effective communication, pre-action protocols and rent payment instalment plans.   Eddie, Paul and Steve delve into what mediation really means, why a customer focus could benefit landlords in the long run and how setting reasonable expectations between parties can resolve issues far quicker than you may think (especially in the current climate). Having mediated cases from £500 all the way up to £50,000, Steve explains a typical mediation journey, relationship management and why the pen, or in this case effective communication, is mightier than the sword.

A property investment pandemic - where have all the good ones gone?

In the latest episode, Eddie and Paul are joined virtually by their special guest, Jonathan Schuman, an established portfolio landlord with 400 properties under management. With extensive expertise in the property industry, Jonathan provides his unique insights into growing a large-scale diverse portfolio of residential, commercial and retail properties. Jonathan has seen his fair share of changes throughout the property industry and discusses with Paul and Eddie how the current financial climate related to COVID-19 could impact property investments long-term, and whether this mirrors challenges faced by landlords during the 2007 financial crisis. Looking to the future of property investment Eddie, Paul and Jonathan also discuss the future of the sector post-COVID, encourage landlords to work with their tenants through mediation and explain why landlords should think like a business for long-term success.

Landlords Stronger Together

In a lockdown podcast special, Eddie and Paul are joined (virtually) by Ben Beadle, the chief executive of the new National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) to discuss the merger between the National Landlords Association (NLA) and the Residential Landlords Association (RLA). In these unprecedented times Eddie, Paul, and Ben discuss a number of challenges and worries currently faced by landlords, the perception of landlords across the private rented sector and how we can best support landlords and tenants by working together. Ben provides great insight into the decision to merge the two largest landlord associations, the NLA and RLA, to provide a unified supportive voice across the sector. Ben shares his industry experience and knowledge, with his unique insight as a landlord himself, and provides further detail on the NRLA’s vision, what we can expect to see immediately from the association and their plans for the future. Considering the current COVID-19 pandemic, Eddie, Paul and Ben also touch on how the current lockdown and restrictions are influencing the sector. They share their expert advice for fellow landlords, and their tenants, during this uncertain period and explain why landlords really are stronger together. Finally, to close this episode, Eddie asks Ben our 2020 question that is even more hypothetical than usual during our current isolation… ‘Who would your dream co-tenant be, and why?’

The Evolution of Deposit Alternatives

In the first podcast of 2020, Eddie and Paul are joined by the Co-Founders of deposit replacement scheme, Ome, Matt Hooker and Nick Hamatsos, who discuss a new style of deposit scheme that aims to help bring greater choice to the market. Deposit alternatives, also known as deposit replacement schemes, have emerged due to the evolving nature of the private rented sector as well as tenant’s needs and requirements, offering an additional element of choice that can benefit tenants, landlords and agents. Eddie, Paul, Matt and Nick take a dive into the changing world of deposits and investigate how the changing desire for renting flexibility has impacted the market and what this could mean for landlords, agents and their tenants. Matt and Nick explain the advantages for landlords of using deposit replacement schemes, emphasising the importance of market choice and transparency. Eddie and Paul also share their knowledge of the current market and explore the future of deposits, including recent discussions surrounding deposit replacements, deposit loans, and the idea of a lifetime deposit. As always, Eddie and Paul also touch on breaking industry news and, to mix things up for 2020, Eddie asks Matt, Nick and Paul a new closing question, ‘Who would your dream co-tenant be, and why?’

Brexit and beyond! Our yearly round up (2019)

In the final podcast of 2019, Eddie and Paul put the world to rights with a comprehensive round-up of what has happened within the private rented sector (PRS) this year. With a general election on the horizon before the end of the year, Eddie and Paul discuss how each of the political parties could impact on the housing sector should they come into power, and what this could mean for landlords, letting agents and tenants as we look forward to 2020.   In a quick fire round of questions to summarise a year of thought-provoking podcasts, Eddie and Paul discuss their thoughts on the most positive moment for the PRS in 2019, the biggest shock in the sector, best legislative change of 2019, and much much more! After asking special guests throughout the year what they would do if they had the power to implement a new property law, Eddie finally gets his turn to give his opinion! Do you agree with his law? Finally, Eddie and Paul wrap up the last podcast of the year by taking a look what Hamilton Fraser has planned for 2020, and wish all of their listeners a Merry Christmas and a very happy new year!

Chaos Theory! What’s next for the private rented sector?

In this month’s podcast Eddie and Paul are joined by Head of Redress at the Property Redress Scheme, Sean Hooker, who discusses his recent blog ‘Chaos Theory! Changes, changes, what’s next for the property world?’ With the political environment in a state of flux, Eddie, Paul and Sean attempt to decode the confusion surrounding legislation in the private rented sector (PRS), including delving into upcoming consultations that could impact landlords. Eddie, Paul and Sean discuss the ‘tenant fee ban’, ‘Section 21’ updates, and Sean gives his opinion on housing courts. With political changes emerging from Westminster featuring heavily in this episode they also consider what ‘right to buy’ would mean for the PRS, ideas surrounding rent controls and whether there could be a ‘Housing Act overhaul’ on the horizon. The key take home message … make sure you are prepared for upcoming regulation and legislative changes, whatever they may be! As always, Eddie and Paul round up the podcast by asking Sean … ‘If you could make one new property law, what would it be?’