This Wednesday, I’m heading up to an event I always look forward to and never take for granted.
It is called ‘Manormind’ a round table event set at Moorlands Manor in Foulridge, Lancashire, that will bring together professionals from across the HMO and multi-let property sector.
For those unfamiliar with Manormind, it is an invitation-only gathering hosted by COHO, the shared housing search portal (and the CRM system we use) that creates a space for honest, collaborative discussion about the challenges and opportunities we’re all navigating in this industry.
What is Manormind?
Rather than a traditional conference with presentations and keynote speakers, Manormind is designed as a proper round table discussion.
The format is broken into sections, some deliberately informal, others more purposeful and serious.
For example, we’ll arrive for networking mid-afternoon and only settle into focused discussions about the issues affecting our sector a little later; nevertheless, that period of casual networking with colleagues from the industry across the country can be one of the most worthwhile sessions.
Whether it’s breaking the ice or catching up with familiar faces, these conversations often surface common themes and problems and quite often, even solutions. These ‘casual chats’ often inform the best of the later, more serious debates and conversations.
Likewise, following the heavy thinking and absorbing that will no doubt take place during the formal Round-Table section of the event, being able to break out then and continue conversations over dinner later in the evening can be when the real lightbulb moments happen.
There’s no rigid end time because, as anyone who’s attended these events knows, when there’s no time limit, full conversations are allowed to happen.
Why These Conversations Matter
This event’s discussions will no doubt centre on the impacts of the Renters’ Rights Act (RRA), particularly for HMO operators navigating compliance, tenant expectations, and long-term viability.
It’s the kind of topic where collective wisdom genuinely makes a difference. Each of us is dealing with similar issues from slightly different angles, and this diversity of perspective is invaluable.
I also expect we’ll touch on the issue of loneliness, which is particularly relevant to our sector.
Those of us managing HMOs and multi-let properties aren’t just providing housing; we’re creating living environments where community matters, environments that can either flourish or falter.
Understanding the broader context of social isolation in the UK helps us think more carefully about how we design shared spaces and facilitate tenant connections. It pushes us to consider wellbeing beyond simply maintaining safe, compliant properties.
Our host at Manormind, Vann Vogstad, CEO of COHO, released their UK Loneliness Report 2026 last week.
It made for interesting but also thought-provoking reading. 57% of respondents to a poll who say they experience loneliness say they experience it at least once a week. For 16%, it is every single day.
Our sector can address this issue head-on.
It is why, at LEA Property Solutions, matching tenants to compatible households is more important than just filling rooms. It’s why communal spaces matter; somewhere for tenants to socialise, rather than retreat to their rooms. Simple things like having more than one workspace in the kitchen, so tenants can prepare their own meals separately, while others are in the same room preparing theirs.
I have written about the issue of creating communities in shared housing in a previous article – see here for more.
It is experience of and thoughts about this sort of issue which we, as an agency, can bring to a Round Table forum. It is why being invited is a privilege, but one I can say I can live up to as an independent, business-owning agent.
It is this sort of issue – just as an example – that we get to discuss as an industry at these events. It is not just about yields and fees and legislation; it is about humanity, human cost and well-being.
The Value of Peer-to-Peer Learning
What I appreciate most about events like Manormind is the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day pressures of running a specialist HMO Letting Agency and think strategically with people who understand the unique dynamics of the HMO sector.
We face different challenges from traditional letting agents, and having a space to discuss everything from regulatory compliance to tenant wellbeing to business sustainability is genuinely helpful.
These aren’t networking events in the transactional sense. They’re about building relationships with peers who can offer perspective when you’re wrestling with a difficult decision, share lessons from their own experiences, and remind you that the challenges you’re facing aren’t unique to your business.
And we can give back in equal measure.
Looking Forward
As the property sector continues to evolve, with new regulations, changing tenant expectations, and shifting market dynamics, I’m increasingly convinced that collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential. None of us has all the answers, but collectively, we’re so much better equipped to navigate whatever comes next.
I’m looking forward to Wednesday’s discussions and to bringing back insights that will help us continue providing thoughtful, high-quality shared housing here in Ipswich.