Fifth Anniversary of the National Landlord Investment Show

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Landlord Show:

Yes, it’s five years since the National Landlord Investment Show got started in Croydon, South London.

Meet the founders of the National Landlord Investment Show

Q&A with Tracey and Steve Hanbury

As the National Landlord Investment Show prepares to celebrate its fifth anniversary at Aston Villa Football Club on Wednesday May 16th, it’s time to meet the people behind the shows to find out what makes them tick.

The Midlands event taking place on May 16th marks five years to the day that the first National Landlord Investment Show took place in Croydon, South London in 2013.

Ahead of the fifth birthday celebrations and another jam-packed show, Tracey and Steve Hanbury, directors of the ‎National Landlord Investment Show and Landlord Investor Magazine, tell us all about how the shows started, their long-term involvement in the property market and provide some useful advice for landlords…

Q: What’s your background and why did you decide to launch the National Landlord Investment Show?

Tracey: “I started my career in advertising back in 1997 and worked for Trinity Newspaper Group. I then went on to work for a publishing company and sold portfolio advertising solutions across magazines such as OK! and Sainsbury’s.�

“I then landed a job as an international sales executive for an American company and travelled all over the world, working on a portfolio of magazines and trade exhibitions across the telecoms sector.�

“Steve and I meet at a marketing company back in 2002 and so the journey began…�

Steve: “I worked for a marketing and telecoms company heading up sales. I then went on to work for Countrywide as an estate agent. In 2011, I went into property full-time with my Dad and then Tracey and I launched the shows in 2013.�

Tracey: “We started the National Landlord Investment Show as a regional show after seeing a huge gap in the market where we could offer landlords a great event that would help them grow and retain their portfolios.�

“We chose buy-to-let hotspots throughout the UK and then set up the shows in these locations. We looked at our own experience of being fairly new into the market place and thought it would be a great idea to provide a platform where new and seasoned landlords could attend a one-day event in their area, providing them with the opportunity to meet with leading suppliers and attend seminars to gain valuable information.�

Steve: “Since then, we have grown into a national company, running our events in major cities. This includes three events per year at London Olympia, each attracting over 4,000 UK portfolio landlords. We also take our events to Manchester, Cardiff, Liverpool and still run some regional shows.

Q: Have you always been interested in the property market?

Steve: “I have been brought up around property my whole life. My dad, Les Hanbury, has been a landlord for over 40 years. I spent a lot of time going to properties with my dad, helping him strip them out and getting them ready for rental. We attended many auctions and I got the buzz for property at a young age.�

Q: How has the market changed since you started the National Landlord Investment Show?

Tracey: “We launched the shows in May 2013 and we have seen a huge amount of change during this time, most notably increased government intervention in the rental sector.�

“Some of the biggest changes that have occurred while we have been running the shows are the introduction of the Right to Rent scheme, the 3% stamp duty surcharge on additional properties and the gradual phasing out of buy-to-let mortgage interest tax relief.�

Steve: “It’s industry changes like these that make the shows even more important. Landlords need somewhere to go to gain advice, keep updated about what’s going on and speak to other landlords in a similar position.�

Q: Are you landlords? What type of properties do you own?

Tracey: “We are landlords and this part of the business we run with Steve’s dad, Les. We purchased our first House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in East Croydon back in 2004.�

Steve: “As a family portfolio, our properties range from three to four-bedroom properties which are let to the private sector and we also let out through various council schemes in areas such as Bromley, Croydon, Lewisham and Sutton.�

Tracey: “We have also ventured into the Build to Rent market and this is headed up by our brother-in-law, who is currently in the final stages of a five four-bedroom house development in Kent.�

Q: What is the best thing about being a landlord?

Tracey: “Hopefully building a bright future for our families and providing good property for our tenants.�

Q: What is your one piece of advice for landlords starting out?

Steve: “Make sure you do your due diligence. Check everything like transport links and local schools. Is the area a good regeneration area that will be more profitable in the future? Seek professional advice, attend events like ours where you can meet with reputable suppliers and attend invaluable seminars.�

Q: Birmingham is fast becoming a buy-to-let hotspot. What opportunities does it offer investors?

Tracey: “Birmingham has quietly been becoming one of the UK’s best investor hotspots in recent years. This is down to a number of factors, including huge regeneration, affordable property prices, growing employment opportunities and ever-increasing rental demand.�

“Ahead of the show, we’ve taken a closer look at Birmingham and what it has to offer in our article ‘Here’s why Birmingham has become a buy-to-let hotspot’.â€�

Q: What is the most challenging part of your day-to-day job?

Tracey: “Steve and I have organised 56 events since our launch in 2013 and also launched this magazine back in 2014. Working in events and publishing is not for the faint-hearted and we have to make sure that we are super organised. Our day-to-day can involve client meetings, marketing schedules, sales meetings and much more!�

Steve: “As event organisers, it is our job to ensure that we have the correct type of exhibitors at our events, engaging speakers and also attract an audience of UK portfolio landlords. Our daily schedule is jam-packed and with two boys aged 14 and 11, you can imagine there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done! That being said, we absolutely love what we do and would not change it for the world.�

Q: What can landlords learn from attending the National Landlord Investment Show?

Tracey: “The shows are all about getting out there and seeing what is going on in the industry. Things change so quickly that it’s vital for landlords to stay one step ahead.�

Steve: “We aim to put on a varied programme which includes exhibitors, seminars and expert advice to cater to all needs. We’ve also found that it can be difficult for landlords to interact with each other, learn from one another’s mistakes and make friends with people in a similar situation. The National Landlord Investment provides the platform for this and we look forward to the next five years of shows across the country.�

For more information, visit: https://www.landlordinvestmentshow.co.uk/midlandsshow

The latest issue of the Landlord Investor Magazine is available here

©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Fifth Anniversary of the National Landlord Investment Show | LandlordZONE.

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10 More Section 24 Campaign Billboards To Be Erected Soon

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Property118 campaigner David Heard has reported that he has secured a deal to get 10 extra billboards erected for just £3,000. This figure includes printing, pasting and rental of advertising space for two weeks.

This will be a fantastic boost for the campaign and will doubtless raise its profile and the funding of more billboards as well as local press coverage in the areas they appear in.

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HMRC issue warning over tax refund scammers

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HMRC are warning that fraudsters are sending scam emails and text messages that promise tax rebates to trick people into disclosing their account and personal details. Fraudsters are using email and text messages to scam people out of their savings, and HMRC is urging people to stay vigilant. Currently, the tax authority is processing tax […]

The post HMRC issue warning over tax refund scammers appeared first on RLA Campaigns and News Centre.

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Return on Investment or Capital Employed Formula?

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Hi all, I’m new to this website and I have a question. What is the formula you use for return on investment/return on capital employed/rental yield? Would you mind sharing?

I just need a couple of baseline formulas to get me started.

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Resolution measures?

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The resolution body have announced several measures. One of these is to give every 25 year old 10,000. This means that a couple of 25 year olds will have 20,000 towards a deposit on a house.

Wonderful, this means that FTB houses just went up by 20,000 each!

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Forum Spotlight: Who should carry out post-tenancy inspection?

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One of the many benefits of being an RLA member is that landlords are able to share their experiences with each other and help each other out, on our popular Forum. This week, a landlord posted in the Forum with a question about carrying out a post-tenancy inspection. He wanted to know whether other landlords would […]

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Landlord Checks for Legionella

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Risk Assessment: Updated September 2017

Letting agents and landlords are obliged by law to carry out checks for legionnaire’s disease between tenancies, and if necessary, take action. A written risk assessment is the best way to show that this has been done.

These guidelines apply primarily to England. Other regions and jurisdictions are similar but there may be important differences. This is not a definitive interpretation of the law, every case is different and only a court can decide. If in doubt seek expert advice.

Who is responsible?

Where a property is under full management by a professional agent, then clearly the agent has responsibility for meeting these legal requirements. However, where the landlord is managing the property him or herself, then the landlord takes on that responsibility, along with all the other legal requirements for health and safety such as annual gas checks etc.

Clearly, Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) pose a greater risk here and the “responsible person� the person who has the duty to manage the property is obliged to carry out a risk assessment for this risk as well as for general and fire safety under The Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006

However, landlords of single buy-to-let properties are also affected by this. Although an individual house our flat generally poses no greater risk for legionella than an owner occupied property, unless there are unusual circumstances, nevertheless there is still a risk which must now be addressed by all landlords and agents.

The guidance for HMOs specifies annual risk assessments and insists that landlords and agents keep records of these for at least five years.

What is Legionnaires Disease?

Legionnaires is a pneumonia like illness caused by the Legionella bacteria, which can be fatal. Legionella bacteria are widespread in rivers, lakes and water systems where the temperature of the water is such as to encourage growth of the bacteria, e.g. a hot water system. People can catch the disease by inhaling small droplets of water which may be suspended in the air and contain the bacteria. Stored and recirculated water is a particular risk.

Landlords and agents should be aware that legionella bacteria can multiply in hot or cold water systems and water storage tanks. The bacteria can be spread via showers and taps, especially if they have not been used for some time. The risk assessment must assess the risk and identify potential sources of exposure, followed by, if necessary, steps necessary to prevent or control any of the identified risks.

It is acceptable for risk assessments to be carried out by a reasonably competent person, usually the agent or landlord and it is not normally considered necessary to have a professional assessment carried out.

A risk assessment involves assessing whether conditions are right for bacteria to flourish. The greatest risk is where water is present at temperatures between 20C and 45C. Stagnant water, in tanks for example, infrequently used outlets, showers and air conditioning units, debris in water systems, and thermostatic mixing valves should checked and corrective action taken where necessary.

The other side of the coin is assessing the vulnerability of people who may be at risk. Landlords and agents need to identify this in their risk assessments.

Tenants who are older than 45 years, smokers and heavy drinkers, those suffering chronic respiratory or kidney disease, and anyone with an impaired immune system is at greater risk of infection.

Safeguards may involve disinfecting water systems, cleaning shower heads, servicing air conditioning units, removing stagnant water pools and water tanks from systems, insulating pipework, and keeping water cisterns properly covered and free of debris.

Landlords and agents should issue tenants with notices advising them about these risks and how to combat them by running water off and cleaning shower heads regularly.

When landlords and agents advise tenants to raise water temperatures to reduce the risk of legionella, there’s obviously an increased risk of burns and scalding.

It all sound very onerous on landlords or agents but these risk assessments are usually straightforward and not as difficult as they may at first seem, though specialists sometimes perhaps have other arguments.

Most small systems only need a risk assessment and no further action required, but having the evidence available that the risk assessment has in fact been carried out is important.

The Health and Safety Executive have produced two guides following an Approved Code of Practice:

1 – Legionnaires’ disease: a brief guide for duty holders – http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg458.pdf

2 – Legionaires’ disease: The control of legionella bacteria in water systems. http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l8.htm

These documents spell out the legal requirements for landlords and managing agents. This is to help them reduce the risk of exposure to legionella bacteria from water systems in residential rental property.

Main areas of Risk which require your attention between tenancies:

1. Thoroughly run-off the water system (all taps) especially if the property has been vacant for some time
2. Check any water tanks for debris and make sure the tank has a good cover
3. Check for any dead-runs of water pipe, for a example a washing machine supply or garden hose supply pipe that is no longer in use. Remove the dead run or at least drain it off
4. Check water heaters. Drain them off and bring them up to working temperature
5. Thoroughly clean shower heads and run them off at full temperature
6. Service air conditioning systems regularly
7. Check outside pools and spas for stagnant water and sprays. Have these serviced regularly.

If you have any questions about any of the issues discussed here, post your question to the LandlordZONE® Forums – these are the busiest Rental Property Forums in the UK – you will have an answer in no time at all.

For a free risk assessment template see: https://www.landlordzone.co.uk/documents

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©1999 – Present | Parkmatic Publications Ltd. All rights reserved | LandlordZONE® – Landlord Checks for Legionella | LandlordZONE.

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Mandatory Client Money Protection due next April

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The Government has confirmed that by 1st April 2019, all property agents will be required to be part of an approved Client Money Protection Scheme. The Government has published the regulations relating to Client Money Protection, including The Client Money Protection Schemes for Property Agents (Approval and Designation of Schemes) Regulations 2018 and The Client […]

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BILLBOARDS UPDATE “Just Giving” campaign raises over £4,000 in just a few days

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The Just Giving billboard campaign highlighting “Section 24 Tax Reforms” has now raised over £4,000 🙂

We think a lot more is likely to be raised once people see pictures and newspaper reports of further billboards going up in Cities such as London

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The Landlords Union “Press Liaison” Questions HMO Minimum Room Size Impact Assessment

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The Landlords Union are delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Daniel as Press Liaison – email Press@Property118.com

Chris is a retired Police Officer who is now a landlord accreditation trainer as well as being a substantial provider of rental accommodation in his own right.

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