James Fraser

Contact: james.fraser@landlords.org.uk

Meeting more local landlords and getting an 'inside' view of local authority practices are the main opportunities that James Fraser has gained since becoming Local Representative.

"From my experience, being a landlord is very often a lonely business," James told UK Landlord."One of my objectives is to offer support and advice to the growing collective of landlords in the area, all backed by the national expertise of the NLA." James is an actor and became a professional landlord around 10 years ago."I got into it almost totally by accident, when I discovered that actors trying to buy their first home were virtually persona non grata to mortgage companies! I eventually managed to scrape a deal with a mortgage company who insisted on a solid second income before they'd help. So I got myself off to some auctions and bagged a one-bed flat in Peterborough for £12,000! With this rented (as it has been ever since) I got a mortgage for my own home, but in the week of completion I learned I had to go away on tour so I decided to rent that out too. While I was away on the acting job it occurred to me that if I did this deliberately, it might lead somewhere... I now have a substantial and expanding portfolio which allows me the freedom to pursue my other activities." In his role as local Representative for the NLA, James attends meetings with local authorities, speaking on behalf of landlords and promoting the interests of landlords and the NLA. He also regularly fields queries from landlords and is especially keen on bolstering NLA membership in his area.

In keeping with many other areas, prices in East Anglia have risen dramatically over the past few years. James reports that although prices have been stagnant lately, they are slowly pushing northwards again."This can make yields difficult to maintain, as rents are rising very slowly, (if at all), but with the pressure on housing being seen in these areas set to continue for the foreseeable future, there is always room for landlords to discover new opportunities here," he says.

James' tips for other landlords

1. With apologies to any agents reading, I would say if there is any chance at all of you managing the property yourself, do it. Organisations like the NLA can supply any advice or information you might need.
2. Join the NLA! I cannot praise highly enough the knowledge, support, advice and friendship I have gained from my membership and I commend it to landlords everywhere.