Rob discusses a concerning situation in Edinburgh, Scotland, where residents in affordable homes have experienced a staggering 450% increase in their gas prices. The properties are part of the Harvester's Way Development, managed by Places for People Scotland, and are connected to a district heating system. This lack of control over gas prices has left residents feeling helpless and frustrated, especially as the properties were marketed as greener and more efficient. The episode highlights the importance of researching heating systems when buying or renting property to avoid being caught off guard by unexpected price hikes.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Residents in a development in Edinburgh experienced a 450% increase in gas prices, highlighting the issue of lack of control in district heating systems.
• The development was marketed as greener and more efficient, but residents are now facing unaffordable gas bills, contradicting the initial promises.
• The situation emphasises the importance of researching heating systems before buying, renting, or investing in properties to avoid unexpected cost increases.
• The residents' lack of control over their heating costs due to the district heating system showcases the potential pitfalls of modern build housing and future home standards.
• It is crucial for homeowners, renters, and investors to be cautious about green investments and thoroughly examine the implications of such developments to avoid financial surprises.

BEST MOMENTS

"Prices are on the increase overall, but when that increase is 450%, that's correct, 450, Then we have a bit of an issue."

"Control in the world is important, too much so in terms of World Economic Forum and Club of Rome and that stuff, but this isn't the episode for that."

"This situation just doesn't look good on anyone. It doesn't reflect well on anyone at all, especially as, again, part of that drive to induce people or seduce people into potentially buying and renting these homes."

"You don't want district heating. You don't need community heating because you need to be able to have control over those elements so that you can monitor things properly."

"As long as it's sold as a green investment, and it's good for the environment, and it's good for the economy, then you know, people are going to lap it up."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmm2n3527m4o

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Buy To Let: How To Get Started = https://amzn.to/3genjle

101 Top Property Tips = https://amzn.to/2NxuAQL

uk property, Investment, Property, Rent, Buy to let, Investing for beginners, Money, Tax, Renting, Landlords, strategies, invest, housing, properties, portfolio, estate agents, lettings, letting, business: https://patreon.com/tpnpodcast

Rob discusses a recent protest in Brighton by members of the Living Rent Campaign, who were protesting against rent exploitation. He highlights the ineffectiveness of rent controls, citing the example of Scotland where rent controls led to a supply and demand imbalance, causing rents to skyrocket.

Rob also touches on the importance of increasing the supply of housing to tackle housing challenges, despite the challenges in funding such initiatives.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Protests against rent exploitation took place outside Brighton Town Hall, led by the Living Rent Campaign.
• Rent controls, as seen in Scotland, have backfired by causing a supply and demand imbalance, leading to skyrocketing rents.
• The expansion of council housing is crucial to address the housing challenges in the country, but it won't happen overnight.
• The Living Rent Campaign calls for an end to the right to buy scheme, which has both pros and cons, especially in areas like Brighton with tourism challenges.
• Funding for improving council housing and building more is a key issue, as it may involve increasing council tax and requires a clear strategy.

BEST MOMENTS

"Rent controls, as we've talked about before, are not a good solution. Just look at the recent articles in Scotland. Rent controls attracted less investment, less development, leading to skyrocketing rents."

"Increasing the supply of housing is crucial to tackle the housing challenges. But the lack of a clear and cohesive strategy, changing governments, and local councils hinder progress."

"The Living Rent Campaign's call to end the right to buy scheme has pros and cons. It may help provide more housing but could also lead to issues with the types of homes being bought."

"Improving rent controls will backfire. It may provide a short-term victory but will lead to long-term consequences. The Living Rent Campaign should be cautious about this approach."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/24417633.protest-outside-brighton-town-hall-rent-exploitation/

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https://propertyfundingplatform.com/WharfFinancial#!/borrowerinitialregistration

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Property FAQs = https://amzn.to/3MWfcL4

Buy To Let: How To Get Started = https://amzn.to/3genjle

101 Top Property Tips = https://amzn.to/2NxuAQL

uk property, Investment, Property, Rent, Buy to let, Investing for beginners, Money, Tax, Renting, Landlords, strategies, invest, housing, properties, portfolio, estate agents, lettings, letting, business: https://patreon.com/tpnpodcast

Rob discusses the recent election results, focusing on Labour's majority win and the potential implications for the future. He also touches on the surprising outcome of the French election and the implications of a potential hung parliament.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Labour won the election with a majority of 412 seats, a significant increase from the previous election.
• France's election results surprised many, with a leftist coalition potentially winning and leading to a hung parliament.
• Labour's victory may face challenges in the next five years, especially if they do not fulfill their manifesto pledges.
• Labour aims to build 1.5 million houses, recognizing the supply-side issue in the housing market.
• The effectiveness of Labour's housing policies and their ability to afford public funding for house building remain subjects of skepticism.

BEST MOMENTS

"Labour have a majority. They ended up winning 412 seats in total. That was a 211-seat increase from 2009."

"France is going to be heading to the right-hand side of politics. Well, that turns out not to be the case either, and I think that's caught an awful lot of people off guard."

"Labour are in a situation where they're a bit damned if they do, damned if they don't, because I would imagine that the economic books of the UK don't look very pleasing."

"As long as Diane Abbott's not in charge of any property numbers I think the country is going to be absolutely fine."

"I do like the fact that they look at the housing area as something that needs working on, and it's a supply issue."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

GET YOUR PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT FINANCE HERE:

https://propertyfundingplatform.com/WharfFinancial#!/borrowerinitialregistration

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https://linktr.ee/thepropertynomadspodcast

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Property FAQs = https://amzn.to/3MWfcL4

Buy To Let: How To Get Started = https://amzn.to/3genjle

101 Top Property Tips = https://amzn.to/2NxuAQL

uk property, Investment, Property, Rent, Buy to let, Investing for beginners, Money, Tax, Renting, Landlords, strategies, invest, housing, properties, portfolio, estate agents, lettings, letting, business: https://patreon.com/tpnpodcast

Rob discusses Ed Miliband's endorsement of the Future Homes Standard as a solution to the cost of living crisis. Miliband visited a zero bills new build site in Staffordshire, impressed by Octopus Energy's initiative guaranteeing zero energy bills for five years on homes equipped with solar panels, a home battery, and a heat pump.

Rob raises critical questions about the sustainability and feasibility of the initiative, questioning how Octopus Energy can afford to provide zero bills and the environmental impact of the technology involved.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Future homes standard could potentially help tackle the cost of living crisis, according to Ed Miliband.
• Octopus Energy's initiative offers zero energy bills for five years on new homes with solar panels, a home battery, and a heat pump.
• Questions arise about the sustainability of Octopus Energy's zero bills tariff and the potential reliance on government subsidies.
• The concept of a zero bills home may not be entirely accurate if additional charges like standing charges, water bills, or council tax are still applicable.
• Considerations about the environmental impact of mining and technology involved in creating eco-friendly homes should be taken into account when promoting future home standards.

BEST MOMENTS

"It is clear that the UK needs a future home standard to help those struggling with the cost of living."

"Although it might seem good on paper, there's some things to me that don't quite add up."

"What Ed Miliband went on to say is, 'I think it's really, really important to say to people, this is about the future and it's about tackling the cost of living crisis that people are facing.'"

"A zero bills home, well, having a No electric bill, okay, that's fine. What about standing charge? Do you still have to pay standing charge to Octopus?"

"If you're advertising a zero bills home, then someone might walk in and not expect any water bills, not expect any council tax bills, not expect any electric bills, not expect a standing charge bill."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/newslondon/future-homes-standard-right-for-tackling-cost-of-living-crisis-ed-miliband/ar-BB1oVihX?ocid=winp2fptaskbar&cvid=c9e76fd9d39c46eabbef5830d293b0d0&ei=75

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uk property, Investment, Property, Rent, Buy to let, Investing for beginners, Money, Tax, Renting, Landlords, strategies, invest, housing, properties, portfolio, estate agents, lettings, letting, business: https://patreon.com/tpnpodcast

Rob looks at the current backlash against British tourists in Spain, particularly in popular tourist destinations like Majorca, Ibiza, and the Canary Islands. He reflects on the negative impact of mass tourism on local communities, citing examples from Brighton and Barcelona. The episode explores the tensions between the economic benefits of tourism and the strain it puts on housing markets and local businesses.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• British tourists in Spain are facing backlash from locals due to perceived negative behaviours such as excessive drinking and causing chaos.
• Some Spanish cities, like Barcelona, are taking action to limit short-term rentals to address the issue of over-tourism.
• Locals in tourist-heavy areas like Mallorca and Malaga are protesting against tourists, leading to anti-tourism sentiments and graffiti.
• The balance between tourism and local economy is delicate, as a decrease in tourists could negatively impact businesses and employment levels.
• The housing issue in touristy areas is complex, with locals feeling priced out by short-term rentals and blaming expats for rising prices.

BEST MOMENTS

"Barcelona has, or believe they have, a massive tourism problem, i.e. there's too many tourists. It is such a lovely city. But they see a lot of issues with a lot of short-term rentals."

"A lot of locals feel that they're being pushed out of their communities as well because house prices are going up. They blame expats causing the increase in prices. I'm not sure about that because you always have to look at your own local government as well."

"I don't like seeing that sort of stuff in any country, especially when it's, you know, tourist groups, you know, hitting each other."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/travel/news/british-tourists-hit-back-after-majorca-locals-moan-they-re-being-colonised-by-visitors/ar-BB1p4Tff?ocid=winp2fptaskbar&cvid=e33a85188e0b44e2a32f8a2941fafc38&ei=9

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1914141/british-tourist-rental-ban-barcelona-spain

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uk property, Investment, Property, Rent, Buy to let, Investing for beginners, Money, Tax, Renting, Landlords, strategies, invest, housing, properties, portfolio, estate agents, lettings, letting, business: https://patreon.com/tpnpodcast

Rob discusses the negative impact of rent controls on house building in Scotland, highlighting how rent controls imposed by the Scottish government have led to a significant decrease in the number of new homes being started and completed.

The statistics show a drop in housing construction across the board, including private sector and council homes. The episode emphasises how rent controls restrict the free market, leading to skyrocketing rents and discouraging investors from putting capital into the housing market.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Rent controls in Scotland have led to a decrease in house building, with fewer new homes being started and completed.
• The Scottish National Party (SNP) implemented rent controls, resulting in a drop in affordable housing budget and a surge in rent prices.
• The extension of rent controls in Scotland is deterring investors from renovating or building new homes in the area.
• Investment in built-to-rent properties in Scotland plummeted by 71% last year due to the impact of rent controls.
• The Scottish government plans to make rent controls permanent in 2025, despite the negative consequences observed so far.

BEST MOMENTS

"Scotland is suffering from some of the largest rent rises anywhere in the UK."

"Rent caps basically where you're saying that you're only allowed to put up rents by X percent, you're not allowing the free market to do its job."

"The fact that Scotland is going to have a flight in this capital because of the rent controls, it's just not going to help Scotland at all."

"They say that investment in built to rent properties in Scotland slumped 71 percent last year."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/house-building-in-scotland-nosedives-after-nicola-sturgeon-s-rent-controls-figures-show/ar-BB1oRxOg?ocid=winp2fptaskbar&cvid=f492b5949296431fb18cf80d0259f5c5&ei=20

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Property FAQs = https://amzn.to/3MWfcL4

Buy To Let: How To Get Started = https://amzn.to/3genjle

101 Top Property Tips = https://amzn.to/2NxuAQL

uk property, Investment, Property, Rent, Buy to let, Investing for beginners, Money, Tax, Renting, Landlords, strategies, invest, housing, properties, portfolio, estate agents, lettings, letting, business: https://patreon.com/tpnpodcast

Rob looks into the shocking statistic of 1.55 million abandoned homes in the UK. The episode explores the potential opportunities in bringing these empty homes back into use, highlighting the vast possibilities for property investors and developers. Rob discusses the challenges and benefits of tackling abandoned properties, emphasising the importance of maximising the efficiency of existing housing stock.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• There are approximately 1.55 million abandoned homes in the UK, worth over 500 billion pounds.
• The research by Together identified concerns over derelict properties, with Westminster, Cornwall, and Birmingham being the top three offenders.
• It is important to define what constitutes an empty home, as some may be second homes or have other unique circumstances.
• Running a land registry search on abandoned homes can potentially lead to profitable opportunities in property investment.
• Utilising abandoned homes can not only be a lucrative business model but also contribute to addressing the housing supply issues in the UK.

BEST MOMENTS

"There are supposedly 1.55 million abandoned homes in the UK. And I find that quite a staggering number, and I'm sure you do too."

"Oddly Westminster is the worst offender with just under 36,000 vacant homes."

"So really, therefore, this is a great way to be able to make cash."

"The opportunities here are endless."

"Getting those 1.5 million homes back onto the market, if possible, would be absolutely superb."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

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https://propertyfundingplatform.com/WharfFinancial#!/borrowerinitialregistration

SOCIAL MEDIA/CONTACT US

https://linktr.ee/thepropertynomadspodcast

BOOKS

Property FAQs = https://amzn.to/3MWfcL4

Buy To Let: How To Get Started = https://amzn.to/3genjle

101 Top Property Tips = https://amzn.to/2NxuAQL

uk property, Investment, Property, Rent, Buy to let, Investing for beginners, Money, Tax, Renting, Landlords, strategies, invest, housing, properties, portfolio, estate agents, lettings, letting, business: https://patreon.com/tpnpodcast

Rob looks at the current housing crisis in the UK, focusing on the decline of social housing stock by over 250,000 units in the last decade. He focusses on the reasons behind this decrease, such as the selling off or demolition of social housing, challenges with planning permissions, and the high demand for housing exceeding supply.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The number of social rent homes in England has fallen by about a quarter of a million in the last decade, contributing to the housing crisis.
• Issues with planning, including local councils rejecting building proposals, create bottlenecks in housing development.
• Housing demand in the UK is higher than supply, leading to increased costs of renting.
• Frequent changes in government and policies hinder long-term, cohesive solutions to the housing crisis.
• Shelter suggests building 90,000 genuinely affordable social homes per year for 10 years to address the housing emergency effectively.

BEST MOMENTS

"There's not ever one solution fits all, whether that's in the private sector, or the social rented sector."

"A lot of social housing stock has been sold off or demolished. A lot more has been sold off rather than being built."

"Planning creates a bottleneck, because of the way this country is set up, again, all it takes is one person to complain. And you know, all hell can break loose."

"If the supply increases, then that should help to meet demand by bringing a flood of supply onto the market, that you should also find that the cost of renting, whether that be social or private, you should find that that decreases."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/new-5-000-deposit-mortgage-allows-homeowners-to-borrow-up-to-99/ar-BB1kAyPG?cvid=a8d56fce268a490ed6c3e1a701b2dae2&ocid=winp2fptaskbar&ei=5&sc=shoreline

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Property FAQs = https://amzn.to/3MWfcL4

Buy To Let: How To Get Started = https://amzn.to/3genjle

101 Top Property Tips = https://amzn.to/2NxuAQL

uk property, Investment, Property, Rent, Buy to let, Investing for beginners, Money, Tax, Renting, Landlords, strategies, invest, housing, properties, portfolio, estate agents, lettings, letting, business: https://patreon.com/tpnpodcast