The LandlordlordZONE podcast

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?’

The Landlord’s Friend

In this month’s podcast, Eddie and Paul are joined by property market analysist, commentator and co-author of ‘The Landlord’s Friend’, Kate Faulkner. After the success of the first edition of ‘The Landlord’s Friend’ book in 2015, Kate and Paul have joined forces once again to release an updated edition for 2019, focused on how landlords can make the best out of the ever changing private rented sector, while also ensuring that they remain compliant. Eddie, Paul and Kate discuss the launch of the new book, including their motivations behind releasing an updated edition and the process involved, as well as exploring the importance of being a business savvy landlord, why it is vital to understand your tenants and the intricacies of landlord regulation and legislation. In addition, they cover a range of topics from government policy, how buy to let has evolved and increasing market demands to whether landlords get a bad rap in the industry. Eddie and Paul round up the podcast by asking Kate… ‘If you could make one new property law, what would it be?’

The Residential Laws of the Land

In this month’s podcast Eddie and Paul are joined by special guest, residential property lawyer and Managing Director of Landlord Law, Tessa Shepperson. Tessa started Landlord Law, a website dedicated to providing landlords with information on their legal rights and obligations, in 2001 and has been providing content and advice ever since. This includes Tessa’s popular ‘Landlord Law’ blog which aims to keep landlords informed of changing legislation, as well as her ‘Blog Clinic’ which helps address any landlord or tenant legal issues. Eddie, Paul and Tessa talk all about the laws of the land, with a particular focus on government plans for landlords, landlord redress, housing courts and what happens when landlords fail to protect deposits. Eddie and Paul also ask Tessa for the best tips she can give to landlords in today’s industry and question whether current laws help or hinder landlords? Wrapping up with their new closing question for 2019 Eddie and Paul ask Tessa; ‘If you could make one new property law, what would it be?’

Taxing times – decoding property tax in 2019

In April's podcast, Eddie and Paul are joined by their first guest of the year, Tony Gimple the Founding Director of Less Tax 4 Landlords. After appearing in Hamilton Fraser’s first tax podcast ‘Tony’s Tips on Tackling Tax’ in 2017, Tony is back to discuss industry changes, his top tax tips and where he sees the industry heading. Tony has an extensive background with vast experience in loss adjusting, financial services, insurance broking and law. Less Tax 4 Landlords aims to help portfolio landlords maximise the commercial benefits from running their property business. Eddie, Paul and Tony talk income, capital gains and property tax, business planning, expenses and HMRC guidelines with the aim of helping landlords decode the often confusing world of property tax. Eddie and Paul also ask Tony the best tips he can give to landlords to help them navigate the industry in 2019. Concluding with their new closing question for 2019, Eddie and Paul ask Tony; ‘If you could make one new property law, what would it be?’

Make Landlording Great Again in 2019

In a New Year special Eddie takes the reins in leading the first podcast of the year with Paul as his special guest. After a year of change within the property industry, Paul & Eddie review 2018 and preview 2019 for landlords. Landlords & letting agents experienced multiple changes throughout 2018 including the Homeless Reduction Act, gas safety changes, changes to HMO regulations and tax relief reduction. Eddie & Paul ask: How has this impacted on landlords? The coming year also looks to be no exception with future changes on the horizon. Eddie & Paul provide a preview of 2019 including longer tenancy proposals, landlord regulation and the tenant fee ban. Eddie & Paul also provide their own thoughts on how we can make landlording great again, and in a final end of year flourish, Eddie asks Paul a new closing question. If you could make one new property law what would it be? Let’s make landlording great again in 2019!