The HMO Success Podcast with Wendy Whittaker-Large

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// [email protected]

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

Website and social media links:

The Independent Landlord website: https://theindependentlandlord.com [Please

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.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNoytRBDtQ0KpvEenr067ww

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

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. 

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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). 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!