Bournemouth July 2026 Meeting 

Staying Safe and De-risking Property Investing  - Louise Reynolds

Due Diligence is a critical component of property investing and doing business generally. Even more so when you are not always close geographically to the location of the property you are investing in.

During her presentation, Louise will share her experience of investing at distance, whilst comparing and contrasting the differences with standard Due Diligence. This will be of use to UK-based investors who don’t invest in their local patch or are considering going further afield. It is also of interest to expats who are abroad but still invest in UK property.

You will pick up:

• A framework for doing Due Diligence at distance
• Accessible tips and techniques
• Guidance on how to mitigate risk
• A practical Case example

The session will get you thinking about how you conduct due diligence now and in the future.

2030 Is Closer Than You Think. Don't Get Caught Out — Get Clued Up. - Jon Reynolds 

With the government's deadline for mandatory Band C EPC ratings fast approaching, landlords across the UK face some of the most significant regulatory changes in a generation. In this talk, Jon Reynolds — a qualified Energy Assessor and Retrofit Assessor with over 20,000 assessments to his name — cuts through the noise to explain exactly what is changing, when it is happening, and what landlords need to do now to stay compliant and avoid costly penalties.

Jon will guide attendees through the transition from the current EPC system to the new Home Energy Model (HEM), unpacking what the reformed assessment methodology means in practice and how it will affect property valuations, lettings compliance, and landlord spend. Whether you own one rental property or fifty, this is essential knowledge for anyone operating in the private rented sector in the years ahead.

What you will learn

• What the Home Energy Model (HEM) is and how it fundamentally differs from the current SAP-based EPC system
• The new MEES standards taking effect in October 2030, including fines of up to £30,000 per property for non-compliance
• Which exemptions are available, how long they last, and how to use them legitimately to protect your portfolio
• How the £15 billion Warm Homes Plan and available government funding can help offset the cost of required improvements
• Practical steps to take now — including how to engage a qualified assessor, understand your options, and prepare your properties ahead of the deadline