Yolanda Morari: Unlocking the Secrets of Social Housing:

In a recent episode of the Self Unemployed Podcast, host Colin Munro sat down with Yolanda Morari, a trailblazing entrepreneur in the UK’s social housing sector. As the first female guest on the show, Yolanda shared her expertise in emergency accommodation, her path from immigrant roots to property success, and the realities of navigating council systems. This episode is a goldmine for anyone interested in social housing UK strategies, offering practical insights into rent-to-rent models, council partnerships, and building a sustainable property business. Let’s dive into the key takeaways, with a spotlight on Yolanda’s experiences and innovations.

Yolanda Morari’s Background and Entry into Property

Yolanda Morari, originally from Romania, didn’t start her career in property. After living in Italy, she moved to the UK in 2016, drawn by the opportunities despite the infamous British weather. She initially visited as a tourist and wasn’t thrilled by the rain, but recognized the potential for growth. Before property, her focus was on stability—saving money and avoiding debt, a mindset rooted in Romanian culture where owning a home outright is prioritized over leveraging mortgages.

Her property journey began in 2017 when she bought her first home in London using the government’s Help to Buy scheme. This new-build two-bedroom apartment cost £450,000, with the government covering 40% (£180,000) interest-free for five years. Yolanda put down a deposit from her life savings and took a mortgage for the rest. By 2022, when refinancing, the property’s RICS valuation had dropped to £370,000, allowing her to repay the government only £138,000—netting her a £42,000 gain. She converted it to a buy-to-let mortgage and turned it into serviced accommodation, marking her shift into investment.

Today, Yolanda Morari controls 12 properties: nine dedicated to emergency accommodation through local authorities, three as serviced accommodation, and one she owns outright with a mortgage. All are fully occupied, showcasing her efficient management.

Demystifying Social Housing: Focus on Emergency Accommodation

Social housing is a broad term encompassing affordable housing for vulnerable people, often funded by councils. Yolanda Morari specializes in emergency accommodation, which she describes as the “quickest way” into the sector. It’s similar to rent-to-rent or serviced accommodation because councils pay on a nightly basis, much like Airbnb bookings.

Key points from her discussion:

• Types of Social Housing: Includes assisted living for those with learning disabilities, housing for ex-offenders or young offenders, and family units. Emergency housing caters to urgent needs, like families with disabilities or those facing homelessness.
• Council Challenges: Councils have a duty to house vulnerable people but struggle with low Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates (based on 2011 figures), leading to a shortage of affordable long-term options. This pushes more cases into expensive emergency setups, where nightly rates are higher but meant to be short-term (e.g., 14 days). In reality, stays can last years—one example Yolanda mentioned was 21 years!
• High Costs and Inefficiencies: Emergency housing costs councils far more than long-term social housing. Yolanda noted rates dropping 40% since November last year, with attempts to shift bills to tenants. Payments are slow (30+ days), and communication between council departments is often poor.
• Her Business Model: Starting with rent-to-rent, Yolanda approached councils with a “base” property to demonstrate capability. She now acts as a commercial supplier (not a registered housing association), securing purchase orders like a recent £396,000 allocation. Properties are fully furnished, with Yolanda as the first point of contact for tenants, handling maintenance and council liaison.

Yolanda Morari emphasized that social housing isn’t easy—it’s “hard to get through”—but rent-to-rent provides a low-barrier entry. She advises against starting from zero; build a foundation first.

Yolanda Morari: Tenant Experiences and Overcoming Fears

While social housing can scare landlords due to stereotypes about tenants on benefits, Yolanda debunks this. Most of her tenants are families in need, prioritized by council bands (A/B for high-priority cases like disabilities). She shared one negative experience: a family committing benefit fraud who stole high-end appliances upon leaving. However, this was isolated; she stresses that with proper vetting and high standards, risks are minimal.

To educate others, Yolanda is creating a “blueprint” guide. It will include step-by-step instructions on approaching councils (e.g., email formats), health and safety compliance, and interviews with landlords and tenants. Her goal? Empower more people to become approved suppliers, reducing bureaucracy and helping councils nationwide.

What They Say About Samuel Leeds and His Academy

A pivotal part of Yolanda’s story is her discovery of Samuel Leeds and his Property Investors Academy. Before 2022, she knew nothing about advanced property strategies. Stumbling upon Samuel’s YouTube videos while researching how to rent out her refinanced property, she was captivated by his energy and concepts like “rent on steroids.”

She attended a crash course in December 2022, followed by the Deal Selling Masterclass in February 2023. The Academy’s online training helped her set up her company, structure rent-to-rent deals, and pivot to serviced accommodation. Yolanda credits Samuel for teaching her about leveraging debt, recycling capital, and viewing property as a tangible asset. Without the Academy, she wouldn’t have scaled to controlling 12 properties or entered social housing.

While Samuel is “anti” government schemes like Help to Buy (calling them “help to sell” for developers), Yolanda’s positive experience sparked an intriguing debate. She notes the Academy community was key for networking, building relationships, and spotting opportunities like becoming a commercial supplier—something even beyond the Academy’s core teachings.

For anyone inspired, check out Samuel Leeds’ Academy here: https://www.samuelleeds.com/ref/319/

Yolanda Morari: Future Plans and Advice for Aspiring Investors

Looking ahead, Yolanda Morari aims to buy more properties for long-term wealth, focusing on purchase-refinance strategies (BRR) to build intergenerational assets. Her business generates steady cash flow, freeing her to invest personally. She’s inundated with inquiries from landlords seeking council partnerships, but her blueprint will scale her impact.

Her advice? Start small with rent-to-rent, network relentlessly, and be flexible—opportunities like emergency housing often emerge unexpectedly. For those in social housing UK, focus on building council relationships and complying with regulations.

This episode highlights Yolanda Morari as a resilient entrepreneur turning challenges into opportunities. Follow her on Instagram (@yolanda_morari) for updates on her blueprint and property ventures. If you’re exploring property or social housing, this podcast is a must-listen for real-world inspiration.