Are freehold ground rents a good investment?

Are freehold ground rents a good investment?

17:38 PM, 31st July 2013, About 11 years ago 43

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I have just started investing in property.Are Freehold Ground Rent Investments a good investment?

Living overseas, I have been unable to get a U.K. mortgage so I have had to pay cash for my first property.

I have a good rental yield of 10.1%, but obviously no leverage for now. I am arranging more business commitments in U.K. to eventually remedy the mortgage problem.

My question is this:

I have been looking at, but not buying, Freehold Ground Investments which I often see available:

For example, £3,000 buys the freehold ground rent for 125 year (or less) leases paying £300 per year (S5(b) Notices have been served under the Landlord & Tenant Act 1987). Not a lot of money each year, but still 10% yield.

My question is this. Would a portfolio of these types of investments qualify for a loan for reinvestment into buy to lets?

The 10% yield from the Freehold Ground Investments could be used to pay off this initial loan.

For example, £400,000 invested in freehold ground rents should produce £40,000 per year.

A 75% LTV would be £300,000 which you could pay back using the ground rent income of £40.000 pounds per year.

Use the £300.000 as £30,000 75% buy to let (for example) deposits on 10 houses (or go up north and buy 8 for cash, then re-mortgage, or whatever the permutation gives most yield???).

The 10 properties, if bought wisely could be refurbished re-valued as usual to earn the required yield. The debt would be paid by the freehold ground rent investments.

I know you could just use the initial £400,000 pounds direct into property but the freehold ground rents look to be low maintenance no void investments. Their value rises as time passes and looking (as I am) to leave the property portfolio for future generations, so long as the yields are good, the investment vehicle (within the property portfolio) is just a money generating wealth creating exercise, and one day, someone will be grateful for present day foresight.

I would appreciate comments regards Freehold Ground Investments and the possibility to obtain loans using them for the purchase of properties.

Thanks

Christopher Farrell


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Comments

Ed Tuff

20:48 PM, 1st August 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "David Lovegrove" at "18/02/2016 - 22:14":

I realise this is an old thread, but David Lovegove makes a very good point? Does anyone have an answer?

I own a leasehold rental flat. The freeholder has just given notice to the 4 flats in the block that the freehold is available to buy; I'm considering buying the whole thing myself so am doing a lot of research.

Puzzler

11:39 AM, 3rd August 2017, About 7 years ago

It would be better to all club together and buy it as the responsibilities would outweigh the returns. How much is the ground rent? Shared freehold is the way most properties are going (I am sure ground rents will be abolished after Taylor Wimpey) and the best saleability. Also the others would have to agree to you buying it. Find a specialist solicitor as it is also an opportunity to alter the lease. How long is the lease?

Ed Tuff

19:37 PM, 3rd August 2017, About 7 years ago

Yes, appreciate the advice.
Ground rent is just £40 per yearh.
The flats have the following leases:
95 years
91 years (mine)
91 years
44 years
A lot to be made potentially from the 44 year lease, but not the rest.

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