Ahmed & Mahdi

Sandra's story is about grit, growth and refusing to settle. Based in Croydon, she pushed through over 100 viewings before landing the deal that changed everything: a high performing serviced accommodation unit full of contractor bookings. More than the income, it is the confidence, purpose and independence that have transformed her life. She shares how she overcame rejection, self doubt and setbacks to create real freedom, and inspired a whole community along the way.

Marina works full time as a contract manager, and her partner Kate already had some buy to lets. They wanted quicker cashflow than buy to let gives, so they looked at different property courses and chose Simon. Rent to rent clicked instantly: it didn't need much money up front, so they could do several deals with what they had. Marina booked a call and joined that same evening. Her only worry was that it was Kate's money, but hearing the success stories on the calls convinced her: if others can do it, so can we. Within a couple of months of really getting going, they had signed three deals, two in Coventry and one in Leamington Spa. Now landlords are coming to them, including a landlord's sister and even their decorator, and Kate has handed in her notice. Marina's advice: "Follow the process and trust the process, it will work."

Simon and Celen Sullivan had wanted to start their property journey for a long time. Married for 38 years, with two daughters and two young grandchildren, they reached a stage where they wanted to build something new. Their pensions were not where they wanted them to be, and they wanted more financial security for the years ahead. Rent to rent gave them a practical way to build income from property without buying a house first. Since joining SSO, they have secured two deals and proved to themselves that it is never too late to build something new.

Disha and her partner own three buy to lets in Wigan, but with the Renters' Rights Act coming in, buy to let was getting harder and they needed cashflow. Rent to rent was the way forward because you don't need a big deposit. You can start with a smaller amount and still be successful. They have just signed their first rent to rent deal and are getting it ready to go live, with a plan to use it as the template to scale. Her reason is simple: to give her two girls a better life and pay for their education.