Is property investment still worth it, and what does it really take to be a good landlord?

In this episode of The Healthy House, we’re joined by a former litigation solicitor, property investor and former letting agency owner for an honest conversation about the realities of renting, managing and maintaining homes.

From building a business after experiencing poor service to navigating a changing rental market, our guest shares lessons from both sides of property management. We explore what letting agents actually do, why hiring one doesn’t mean you can forget about your property, and how maintenance, rising costs and long-term planning all affect an investment.

We also discuss the Renters’ Rights Act, evictions, pets in rental properties and the responsibilities of both landlords and tenants. Plus, we get into damp, mould and ventilation, including why blaming the tenant before investigating the building can miss the real problem.

The episode finishes with five areas landlords should review, covering rent, compliance, tenants, long-term plans and property finances.

Whether you’re a landlord, tenant or considering your first investment property, this conversation offers a frank look at the challenges and opportunities in the rental sector.

The Healthy House is brought to you by Weatherwise.
Produced by Crawford & Beattie.

The views shared are for general discussion and are not individual legal, tax or financial advice.

Is property investing really as easy as social media makes it look? Or is there much more happening behind the scenes?In this episode of The Healthy House Podcast, Aaron is joined by Barry Marshall from Gold Star Property Group to explore the realities of property investment, property development and building a successful portfolio.Barry shares his journey from running Domino's Pizza stores to purchasing his first property at auction, eventually moving into buy-to-let investments and HMOs (Houses in Multiple Occupation).Together, they discuss what it really takes to succeed in property, from managing renovation projects and understanding refurbishment costs to dealing with rising mortgage rates, unexpected maintenance and the challenges of being a landlord.Barry also shares why effective project management, building relationships with reliable tradespeople and investing in the right education can save investors thousands of pounds.The conversation explores the realities that rarely make it onto social media, including financial risks, costly mistakes, damp issues and the importance of having the right people around you.Whether you're an experienced property investor, a first-time landlord or someone considering getting into property development, this episode offers practical advice, honest experiences and valuable lessons from someone who's been through it.🎙️ The Healthy House Podcast, brought to you by Weatherwise.Produced by Crawford & Beattie.

What makes a house truly feel like home?

In this episode of The Healthy House Podcast, we’re joined by award-winning interior designer Katie to explore how the spaces we live in influence how we feel, and why good interior design goes far beyond appearances.

Katie shares her journey from studying linguistics and working as a teacher to building her own interior design business. She talks about following her passion, growing through blogging and learning the business skills needed to turn creativity into a career.

We explore why understanding how someone wants to feel at home is central to her design process. From choosing colours to giving treasured furniture a new life, Katie explains how personal stories and memories can shape a space. She also shares the moving story of a client whose much-loved chair became an important part of his new home after losing his wife.

The conversation covers finding inspiration on Pinterest and Instagram, the overwhelm of endless choices, and why an attractive AI-generated image doesn’t always translate into a practical room.

Whether you’re renovating, refreshing a room or simply curious about the connection between your home and your wellbeing, this episode offers a thoughtful look at designing spaces around the people who live in them.

Brought to you by Weatherwise.
Produced by Crawford & Beattie.