A Fireside Chat on Rebuilding Trust Between Landlords & Tenants | Homesty

A Fireside Chat with “Jordan Belfort”: Why the Rental Market Needs a Reboot

(Name changed to protect identity)

On a cool Tuesday afternoon in Richmond, Homesty’s co-founders, Duncan Rooney and Xavier Miró Argemí, met with seasoned property investor and landlord “Jordan Belfort” for what turned into a fireside chat about the future of renting.

Laptops open, coffee steaming, and conversation flowing — this wasn’t a pitch meeting. It was a genuine discussion about what’s broken in the rental industry, what’s next for landlords, and how technology like Homesty could help level the playing field.

From Flips to Long-Term Lets: Jordan’s Story

Jordan — whose name we’ve changed to protect his privacy — has built his career across multiple corners of the property market. He’s a developer, a landlord, and a strategist who understands both short-term flips and long-term government-backed lets.

“There’s a huge void between what investors want,” he said during the chat. “Some chase yield without thinking about consistency. Others want reliability and steady growth. But right now, the system doesn’t serve either group properly.”

He’s seen every angle: refurbishments, buy-to-let, and supported living projects across the South East — with Birmingham being a particular focus.

“Birmingham has potential,” he said, leaning forward. “It’s growing, affordable, and packed with regeneration projects. But landlords are nervous. Between Making Tax Digital and the new Renter’s Rights Bill, there’s a real sense of uncertainty about what comes next.”

The New Pressures on Landlords

For many independent landlords, the introduction of MTD (Making Tax Digital) has added new complexity to managing property portfolios — particularly for those juggling multiple income streams.

Jordan explained how even experienced investors feel the pressure:

“You can handle a renovation, you can handle the tenants, but now you’re expected to handle accounting software, compliance updates, and new legal frameworks — all while margins are getting tighter. It’s a lot.”

He also raised concern about the evolving tenant eviction process under the new Renter’s Rights Bill.

“Landlords aren’t against tenants’ rights,” he said. “We just want balance. The challenge is, when you can’t remove a genuinely bad tenant for months, it affects everyone — including good tenants who are doing everything right.”

Homesty’s Answer: Freedom, Not Friction

That’s where Homesty steps in.

Duncan and Xavier explained how Homesty was built to liberate both landlords and tenants from the traditional high-street model — a marketplace cluttered with inflated fees, slow communication, and outdated processes.

“We’re not a letting agent,” Duncan told him. “We’re the bridge. Homesty helps landlords and tenants connect directly, manage contracts, handle rent securely, and communicate clearly — without the interference of a middleman.”

Homesty doesn’t take control away; it gives it back.
Contracts are handled securely via DocuSign, payments move through Stripe, and maintenance issues stay logged in one easy chat thread — no more endless email trails or missing context.

For landlords like Jordan, who value autonomy but need structure, the model makes sense.

“It’s refreshing,” he said. “Finally something that empowers, rather than overcomplicates.”

The Future of Letting — Built on Connection

By the end of their fireside chat, it was clear that Jordan and the Homesty team were aligned on a vision: a fairer, simpler rental landscape where both sides thrive.

“We’re small, hungry, and we’re building traction,” Duncan said. “We want to free landlords and tenants from the shackles of overpriced letting agents and bring back trust into renting.”

At the heart of Homesty’s mission is trust — not just between the platform and its users, but between landlords and tenants themselves. By creating a transparent space where both sides can communicate openly, handle payments securely, and manage their tenancy with clarity, Homesty helps foster genuine confidence and respect.

When landlords and tenants trust one another, they’re not just completing transactions — they’re building longer, happier tenancies grounded in understanding and reliability. It’s that sense of connection and fairness that Homesty aims to champion — one conversation, one home, one relationship at a time.

Join the Change

If you’re a landlord looking to simplify your lets, or a tenant ready to find your next home without the noise — try Homesty today.
homestyapp.com/about