Here’s a snapshot of the strategies and considerations we discussed:

🏠 Buy, Extend, Sell or Rent
A popular and proven approach. You purchase a flat with a short lease at a discounted price, extend the lease, and either sell it for a higher value or hold it as a long-term rental asset.

🔨 Refurbishment & Reconfiguration
Improving the layout and condition of the property adds even more value post-lease extension. This is especially useful for maximising sale or rental yield.

💼 Finance Options
From bridging finance and BTL mortgages to cash purchases and JV partnerships, there are multiple routes depending on your exit strategy and the property condition.

🤝 Creative Strategies
We also explored:

Assisted sale agreements with current owners

Buying the freehold and managing multiple units

Not extending the lease, but leveraging rental income on a cash buy

Sourcing direct from councils, housing associations or auctions

New Rules, New Opportunities
With the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act now in place, investors can extend a lease immediately after purchase—rather than waiting the previous two-year requirement. This opens up faster routes to value creation and reduces the risks associated with long holding periods.

Real Numbers Matter
During the presentation, I walked through how to:

Assess the correct purchase price

Calculate the lease extension premium

Budget for reconfiguration and legal fees

Forecast the post-extension end value

Understanding and layering these numbers accurately is what separates good deals from great ones.

Building Knowledge, Building Portfolios
I believe that sharing transparent, actionable strategies like these empowers investors—especially those newer to the space—to approach their portfolio growth with confidence. Short lease flats aren’t just a niche opportunity—they’re a real lever for generating equity and cash flow when handled with care.

You can read their article here.