Rent to Rent
Take a property on a management or company lease, then sublet to generate cash flow without owning the asset. Popular for HMOs and serviced accommodation where achievable rents exceed the headline lease cost.
Typical ROI
100%
Timeline
1-3 months
Difficulty
Intermediate
Key metric
Annual Profit
Strategy overview
- Find landlords willing to lease on a 3 to 5 year company let or management agreement
- Confirm planning, licensing, and lease terms permit the intended use (HMO, SA, professional let)
- Furnish, license, and operate the property under your business
- Pay the landlord a fixed monthly rent and retain the difference between income and operating costs
- Scale by replicating across multiple properties
Advantages
- Low capital requirement compared to ownership
- Fast cash flow once operational
- Scalable without lender approval on each unit
- Test markets and locations without long-term commitment
Considerations
- No capital growth; you do not own the asset
- Income depends on lease length and renewal terms
- Landlord consent, planning compliance, and licensing must sit in your name
Funding options
Personal savings
Cover deposit, furnishings, and working capital from cash reserves.
Fastest deploymentUnsecured business loan
Borrow against business credit to fund setup costs and float.
No property securityJoint venture partner
Bring in an investor to fund setup in exchange for a share of profits.
Scale without capitalIdeal property profile
- 4+ bedroom houses in HMO-suitable areas (Article 4 status checked)
- City centre or commuter belt apartments suited to short stays
- Properties in good condition requiring minimal capital works
- Landlords seeking guaranteed rent and zero management
- Local market with strong tenant or guest demand at premium rates