Broker Bi-Monthly Is There A HMO Boom?
Welcome to our Broker Bi-monthly Newsletter! I’m Kay Richardson, Business Development Manager at Molo. In this edition, we’ll explore the buzz surrounding House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) rentals and uncover the reasons behind their current popularity in the real estate scene.
Join me as we delve into the fascinating realm of HMO rentals and unravel the factors contributing to their widespread discussion. As the housing landscape evolves, understanding the dynamics of HMOs becomes crucial for brokers seeking to stay ahead in the market.
Stay tuned for insightful perspectives, industry trends, and exclusive insights that will broaden your knowledge and provide valuable information to navigate the ever-changing real estate landscape. Let’s embark on this exciting journey together in the realm of HMO rentals!
HMO, the stats
Did you know that the rental sector is the second largest tenure in the UK and accounts for around 4.5 million households in England alone? Of those, about 497,000 were classified as “HMOs” in 2018, which continues trending upwards.
By the end of 2019, standard buy-to-let grew at a modest 0.3%. However, HMOs went from 8.6% to 9.6%, as the appetite for homes of multiple occupations saw an increase for landlords and new investors.
The UK, and larger cities, in particular, are seeing the size of a typical household decline while the overall population expands. This combination is leading to increased demand for HMOs above single-room rentals.
Why do landlords love HMOs?
In short, they like the rent. Or, more importantly, the yields they make on the rent. Capital growth and yields are the driving factors for many landlords, and HMOs can provide higher yields than regular rentals. In fact, rental yields can be up to three times higher with HMO properties.
On top of that, landlords are less likely to suffer void periods. If one tenant moves out of the property, you still have other tenanted rooms, as opposed to a traditional rental, where a tenant leaving equates to an empty property. Consequently, landlords continue to see cash flow, even if one of the rooms sits empty.
HMOs also have less exposure to arrears. Multiple tenants mean landlords still receive an income even if one of them falls behind. More of the costs may also be tax-deductible for HMO properties.
The importance of education
Renting out HMO homes comes with more responsibility than single-let properties. And so, it’s important for investors to receive great advice that helps them make the right decision. There is more legislation involved, and that’s something landlords should take into consideration.
They should know the difference between HMO and Large HMO, whether there are fees to pay and licenses to obtain. Not all properties qualify as “HMOs” either. This could reduce the number of suitable houses in an area.
Buying HMO properties can also be more challenging if a mortgage is required. That’s because there are fewer options for raising mortgages against HMOs, and therefore, landlords will need extra help finding a lender who is happy to help them on their buy-to-let journey.
Molo and HMOs
We are happy to lend on HMO properties to landlords who have 12 months’ experience. Investors can borrow on HMO homes with up to six bedrooms and get a loan to value up to 75% of the property’s price.
A licence may be required and is mandatory for homes with five or more bedrooms. As part of the lending process, we will also need to evaluate the HMO property physically.
Our five-year fixed deals offer a rate of 3.74 per cent, meaning landlords will benefit from a competitive rate when borrowing from Molo. So, if you have clients looking for their next HMO investment, get in touch for some of the most competitive rates on the market.
Credits: Kay Richardson | We’ve come to the end of our article on “Broker Bi-Monthly Is There A HMO Boom?” Until next time, stay Connected!