This is a guest post from our friends in the UK. David Sampson is a Senior HMO Mortgage Specialist. He has established himself as one of the UK’s leading experts in HMO financing, helping hundreds of landlords and property investors secure optimal mortgage solutions for their property portfolios. His deep understanding of the HMO market, combined with his extensive network of specialist lenders, enables him to find competitive rates and terms even for complex cases.

Milly Turner Senior HMO Mortgage Adviser shares what HMO mortgages are all about in this article on the HMO mortgage broker website. The following is an excerpt from that article.

What are HMO Mortgages?

HMO mortgages are expert lending products designed specifically for Houses in Multiple Occupation, where individual rooms are rented to separate tenants who share common areas like kitchens and bathrooms.

Unlike standard buy-to-let mortgages, HMO mortgages take into account the higher rental yields that multi-let properties usually generate, often allowing borrowers to access more favourable terms based on rental income rather than solely personal earnings.

How HMO Mortgages Differ from Buy-to-Let

These mortgages are essential for property investors looking to maximise returns from their rental properties, as HMOs can generate significantly higher rental income per property compared to single-let arrangements.

HMO mortgages differ from standard buy-to-let mortgages in several key ways: they focus on rental yield rather than personal income, they require expert lenders who understand HMO property dynamics, and they often offer more flexible terms based on the property’s income-generating potential. Lenders recognize that well-managed HMOs can produce rental yields of 8-12% or more, significantly higher than typical buy-to-let properties.

If you are in the UK and want more information about HMO mortgages, they have a website jammed packed with information, and resources. Make sure to check them out here: https://www.thehmomortgagebroker.co.uk/

Until next time,

Design your landlord experience,

Michael P Currie

Landlord by Design.

Don’t forget to pick up a copy of one or both of my books right here!

The post HMO Mortgages – What Makes Them Different? appeared first on Landlord by Design.

If your goal is simply to retire financially independent, one straightforward approach is to purchase a duplex or two and over time pay them off.

When I began investing in real estate, I noticed a lot of industry hype, there was always someone promoting a property, a course, or a new opportunity. What surprised me most, however, were the practical challenges: property management, customer relations, and the recurring issues that emerge as a portfolio expands.

I started blogging to process these experiences, almost a form of therapy by sharing what being a landlord is truly like. That led to my first book with a property management focus.  Over time, I frequently received questions about how to invest in real estate.

This eventually inspired my second book, Landlord by Design 2, which outlines different ways to participate in the real estate market, ranging from no‑cost approaches to options requiring substantial capital.

I recently shared my journey on the Investor fuel Real Estate Pros podcast.

Check it out here!

If you have 23 minutes, make sure to check it out.

Until next time,

Design your landlord experience,

Michael P Currie Landlord by Design

On another note, if you don’t have it already, make sure to pick up a copy of one or both of my book right here!

The post Keep It Simple Real Estate Investing – Podcast appeared first on Landlord by Design.

Happy Holidays to You & Yours. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank all our readers in 2025. Keep the comments and stories coming. The real estate journey can be full of ups and downs, and sure you can’t talk about the struggles to everyone (especially at family gatherings), but just know we understand.

May all your real estate dreams come true in 2026 & beyond.

Also it is never too late to share the gift of knowledge, make sure to buy a copy of one of our books, or send a link to our 100% free blog.

Get our books here!

All the best in the new year.

Design your landlord experience.

Talk soon,

Michael Currie & Team – Landlord by Design

The post Happy Holidays to You & Yours appeared first on Landlord by Design.

Hey Landlords & property managers.

This is not a usual post, but wanted to spread the word about this upcoming forum, presented by Residential Housing Providers Nova Scotia & Yardi

Navigating the Residential Tenancies Act:
Strategies for Empowered Property Management

Register Here

Friday, June 13, 2025 | 11:30 am to 2:10 pm | Westin Nova Scotian Hotel
$110.00 Members, $120.00 Non-Members
(Registration includes a three-course plated meal)
Agenda
11:30 am – 12:10 pm Networking – Lunch
12:10 pm – 01:00 pm Session 1: Panel Discussion
01:10 pm – 02:10 pm Session 2: Case Law Outcomes

Session 1 – Panel Discussion – Gain valuable insights and practical solutions from experienced
panelists with in-depth knowledge of Residential Tenancies and Small Claims Court processes. Learn
how to navigate common challenges and make informed decisions as a rental housing provider.
Panel Topics
Navigating Property Rights in a Rental Market
Should You Appeal to the Nova Scotia Small Claims Court? Pros & Cons
Tenant with Legal Representation in Hearings: What Landlords Need to Know
Dealing with Abusive Tenants: Legal and Practical Strategies
Managing Tenants with Complex Societal Challenges
Emergency Situations: What to Do When Police & Residential Tenancies Won’t Assist
Bylaw Compliance: Avoiding Pitfalls & Ensuring Legal Operations
Q&A
Session 2 – Case Law – Cox & Palmer’s John Boyle and Leandra Bouman will present key Residential
Tenancies case outcomes based on RTO and NSCC adjudicator decisions and the expected impact
of recent RTA amendments.
Panel Topics
Recent case law updates including The Supreme Court of Nova Scotia Simmons Decision and its
Impact on Residential Tenancies and Small Claims Court Hearings
Understanding the Impact of Recent Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) Amendments
Explaining the impact of bylaws. For example, building code violations, short-term rentals,
and occupation allowances.
Explaining best practices for enforcement.
12:00 pm – 12:10 pm Opening Remarks
BIOs
Moderator and Panelists
Amanda R. Knight – Amanda began acquiring and renovating small MURB’s in Colchester & Pictou
Counties in 2020. By 2023 Amanda had added 12 units to the local housing stock
and currently owns 19 doors. In June 2024, Amanda joined the Community Housing
Transformation Centre as a Program Manager overseeing the Capital Fund for
Nova Scotia. In addition to active involvement in her local community, Amanda
has presented at Law Amendments and was invited to speak at the federal review
panel’s oral hearing on the Financialization of Purpose-Built Rental Housing. Amanda
has been an active RHPNS member since 2020 and was appointed to the board in 2022.
Ursula Eckoldt
Owner and President of Urchin Property Management, oering over 15 years of
professional experience with the last ve years focused on growth and operations
eciency. Ursula is known for her professionalism, integrity, being solutions-oriented,
excellent communication, and ability to use sound business principles. Ursula has
been an active member of RHPNS since 2009 becoming a director in 2023.
Angie Craig
Angie has been working at MetCap Living Management Inc. since 2014. She started as a
Property Manager and was later promoted to the position of Senior Property Manager. In
2018,Angie was appointed to her current position as Regional Director of Operations. In
this role, she oversees the operations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for one of Canada’s
leading third-party management rms specializing in multi-unit residential property
management. She is always eagerto expand her knowledge of legal processes, particularly
related to Residential Tenancies, and keeps up-to-date with current Building, Fire, and Life
Safety regulations. MetCap Living has been an active RHPNS members since 2010.
Panelists
Ursula Eckholdt, President and CEO, Urchin Property Management
Angie Craig, Director of Operations, NS,
Jennifer Bateman, Associate Director, Canadian Apartment Properties REIT (CAPREIT)
John Boyle, Partner, Cox & Palmer
Moderator
Amanda Knight, Owner, Knight Growth Strategies
Leandra Bouman, Associate, Cox & Palmer’s
MetCap Living Management
Amanda Simpson, Residential Property Manager, Westwood Development

I hope you are able to attend.

Until next time,

Design your landord experience,

Michael P Currie

Landlord By Design

Oh, and I would not be doing my job unless I provided a link to purchase my books, you can get them here!

The post RHPNS 2025 Residential Tenancies Forum appeared first on Landlord by Design.

WOW! Huge Changes With Residential Tenancy April 30th

Well after lots of talk, reports consulatation it looks like the changes to make the Nova Scotia residential tenancy guidlines more in line with what is happening coast to coast, are going to start on April 30. As a member of the Residential Housing Providers Nova Scotia (formerly IPOANS) organization I had a front row seat to an excellent summary that I wanted to share with all of you.

The following was shared by Kevin Russell the executive director of RHPNS – If you own a residential rental property in Nova Scotia, I highly recommend you sign up. Check out member options here

Please be advised that several amendments to Nova Scotia’s Residential Tenancies Act and Regulations will come into effect on April 30, 2025. These changes are aimed at improving efficiency and communication between landlords and tenants.

Key changes include:

• New rules and timelines for ending tenancies, including grounds such as repeated late rent, criminal activity, or property damage.
• Updated notice period: Landlords may now notify tenants three days after rent is due that a lease can be terminated if payment is not made. Tenants have 10 days to pay, move out, or appeal.
• Improved communication: Landlords must provide an email address if tenants do, making digital correspondence easier.
• Online publication of decisions: Certain residential tenancy decisions will now be available online to improve transparency.
• Standardized rule changes in land-lease communities, such as mobile home parks.
• Revised process for rent increases in land-lease communities beyond the annual allowable amount.

These updates follow the passage of legislative amendments in September 2024 and are designed to better balance the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants.

Read more details in the full government announcement here:
Changes to Residential Tenancies Program for Tenants, Landlords (April 9, 2025)

If you have questions about how these changes affect you, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Feel free to share this email with rental housing providers in your network and your employees.

Best regards,

Kevin Russell | Executive Director 

168 Hobson Lake Drive, Suite 301, Halifax, NS, B3S 0G4
www.rhpns.ca | CFAA Association of the Year

I hope you find this information valuable.

Until next time,

Design your landlord experience,

Michael P Currie

Landlord by Design

Oh, and if you don’t have it yet, make sure to pick up a copy of my books right here!

Photo credit goes to Ian Panelo

The post WOW! Huge Changes With Residential Tenancy April 30th appeared first on Landlord by Design.