HMO properties are more likely to yield higher yields but they can be more difficult to set up. A HMO licence may be required by landlords depending on the HMO's nature.
HMOs are not valued by all lenders based only on rental income. Lenders will instead value the HMO as a standard house. This can limit your ability to borrow money, which can defeat the purpose behind an HMO mortgage.
After you have gained some experience in letting property out, you might be ready to move on to renting out HMOs. A specialist HMO mortgage is required to convert an existing property into an HMO, or purchase a new one. If you have an existing property that is financed by an ordinary buy to let mortgage, you should contact your lender to discuss remortgaging the property to an HMO deal.
These higher potential rewards have higher risks. Tenants are more likely to leave than in a traditional buyÐto-let. Additionally, every tenant you add is an unknown risk (e.g. Will they pay the rent? Will they cause harm? Will they cause any disputes? You will also need a specialist loan.
These potential benefits come with higher risks. It's more likely that you will have a higher turnover than traditional buy-to -let tenants. And every additional tenant is another unknown (e.g. They will pay the rent. Are they causing damage? They can cause legal disputes. You will also require a specialist mortgage.
HMOs are usually restricted to certain places. HMOs may be targeted at students, single professionals, or other tenants. HMOs often have restricted locations. They are usually located in the city centre or close to major amenities and bus routes. It would not be a good idea to set up an HMO in rural areas in the middle and end of nowhere.
HMO properties might be offered for sale with irresistible "100%+ gross returns". It's hard to imagine anyone not wanting a piece of this. Gross yields in HMOs are not good. There are significant costs involved, such as council tax, insurance and utility bills. Management costs include rent arrears, voids, and management costs. You might see a ROI of 8-10% for an HMO, as opposed to 4-5% for a single-tenancy Buy-to-Let.