EP191: The Truth About Borrowing Other People's Money in Property with Ant Lyons and Rick Gannon

From Police Sergeant to £10M Property Portfolio: Rick Gannon's HMO Story | YPN Podcast In this episode of the YPN Podcast, Ant Lyons sits down with prolific property investor and educator Rick Gannon to unpack the emotional story behind his exit from the police force and into property — sparked by a promise made to his son, Ben. Rick shares how he built a portfolio from just 2-3 buy-to-lets into a £10 million business spanning HMOs, serviced accommodation, holiday lets, and multi-unit freehold blocks — plus how he founded and sold his own property management software, GoTenant. We cover: 🏠 Why HMOs offered the fastest route to replacing his police salary 💷 "Momentum investing" — how to recycle your capital instead of running out of money ⚠️ The dangers of borrowing other people's money without a repayment plan 👥 When to hire your first member of staff (and why it should pay for itself) ✅ The compliance mistakes even experienced landlords still make 🐾 What the Renters' Rights Act means for pets, Section 21, and tenant screening 🤝 How to build a harmonious HMO and handle tenant conflict Whether you're just starting out or scaling an existing portfolio, this episode is packed with real, hard-won lessons from someone who's genuinely walked the walk.