Article 4 - Has it Killed HMO Investing?

Article 4.

Probably two of the most misunderstood words, certainly when you put them together, in HMO investing.

Because the moment people hear it, they just assume that the opportunity has gone, that ship has sailed, as though the council has suddenly switched off the ability to invest in HMOs altogether.

And over the last few years, that narrative has become more and more common.

Investors have in some cases been avoiding areas under Article 4 direction almost entirely, and good deals have been getting dismissed.

People have been acting as though this planning risk automatically means that it's a non-starter.

But the reality is very different.

Some of the strongest HMO markets in the country are under Article 4 directions.

Some of the most valuable HMOs are in those towns and cities.

And a lot of very experienced investors are still buying in these locations every single day and making a lot of money in the process.

And let's not forget that Article 4 is nothing new.

In some cases, it's been around ten, 20-plus years, and investors like me have done very well out of it.

Now, look, here's the truth: Article 4 doesn't eliminate opportunity.

What it does do is it raises the bar.

It makes it harder.

But that's exactly why it can be a huge advantage for investors who understand it and are prepared to approach it in the right way.

So in today's episode, I want to talk to you honestly about Article 4, what it means in practice, why so many investors get it wrong, why it can strengthen values, and most importantly, how experienced investors assess and mitigate planning risks before they commit to deals.

We do all of that, then we can take advantage of the huge opportunities that are sitting right there under our nose.

Let's get into it.