While most university students focus on socialising and part-time jobs, Mark Poole was already calculating how to become a landlord during his mathematics degree at Bath University. The Hampshire-based 54-year-old freelance business analyst tells his story of building a property empire that will secure his financial future.
The First Step: A Tired Wimbledon Flat
Mark purchased his first property in 2000, as early in his career as possible. He acquired a 'tired' two-bedroom flat in Wimbledon, London, for £176,000. 'It sounds like peanuts now for a two-bed in London but back then it felt like a massive sum,' he recalls. 'That was a probate sale and the plan was always to live in it, do it up and at some point, move on and keep it as a buy-to-let.'
The property required full refurbishment, taking three years to complete. After renovating, Mark took out a larger mortgage on the Wimbledon flat to use as a deposit for his next purchase. He kept the first property, let it out, and repeated the process with a one-bed flat in nearby Raynes Park. 'Then I had the bug and it went from there,' he explains.
Building a Property Portfolio
Mark's approach evolved from the initial 'buy it, do it up' strategy to becoming what he describes as a 'traditional landlord.' Over 25 years, he built a substantial portfolio of flats and houses, letting them on single leases to young professionals. The London property market's dramatic growth certainly helped his investments.
In January 2000, the average London home price stood at £139,611. By November 2025, according to the most recent Land Registry data, this had soared to £553,258. Today, Mark owns 10 properties, primarily located along the M4 corridor between Swindon and London.
Strategic Clustering Approach
'I've always liked the idea of buying in clusters because there are certain economies of scale,' Mark explains. 'Things like, you get to know one good plumber in an area who can service four or five properties. That's easier than finding four or five plumbers across four or five different areas.'
Navigating Tax Reforms
When Mark began his property journey, he purchased in his own name, benefiting from significant tax advantages. However, sweeping reforms announced by then Chancellor George Osborne in 2015 changed the landscape dramatically.
'It's cost me a five-figure sum in extra tax for sure,' Mark states, though he hasn't switched to the limited company route favoured by many landlords. Between 2017 and 2020, valuable tax reliefs were withdrawn that had allowed landlords to offset mortgage interest payments against rental income.
Following these changes, landlords had to pay tax on all rental income rather than just profits, significantly increasing costs for many. 'When I was buying, limited company buy-to-lets just weren't a thing,' Mark notes. 'So, yes I've been stung but I'm now at the point where I'm gradually selling properties to realise the capital wealth that has built up.'
The Three-Phase Investment Strategy
Mark describes his property investment journey as having three distinct phases: accumulation, consolidation, and exit. 'I'm mid-50s now so I'm really in the exit phase,' he says. 'My plan is to end up with as many properties as I can without any mortgages on them. That income will form my pension effectively, which was always the long-term plan for me.'
Advice for New Investors
Despite the challenges of tax reforms and market changes, Mark believes property investment remains viable for younger people today. 'Yes, I think so,' he says. 'Things have really come full circle. Buying property to rent out 25 years ago wasn't that profitable, the rent typically just covered the mortgage cost and maintenance. That's how it is now too – but property is a long-term capital growth play. I'm talking 10 to 15 years.'
Reflections on the Journey
'It hasn't all been a success but overall I'm pleased with how it's worked out,' Mark reflects. He highlights a unique advantage of property investment: 'After all, property is the only asset you can invest in where somebody will lend you 75% of the purchase price. You can't go to a bank and say I want to invest in the stock market, I've got £25,000, lend me £75,000.'
Mark's current focus is reducing outstanding mortgages across his portfolio while gradually realising the capital wealth accumulated over two and a half decades. His story demonstrates how strategic property investment, despite regulatory changes and market fluctuations, can create substantial retirement funding through careful planning and long-term commitment.
