I've had the pleasure of working with Kazuki for years, and his expertise and integrity consistently set him apart. His strategic, client-focused approach ensures tailored advice, and he delivers exceptional service with professionalism and reliability. Highly recommended.
M
Mayur Pawar
Thank you so much, Kaz and Tegha. We had one dream to buy our own house and you truly helped us make it possible. You guided us at every step and gave us proper, honest information about what would be best for us. You always gave us enough time, clear advice, and genuine support. What we really appreciated was your patience in answering all our questions, no matter how small, and the way you made the whole process feel smooth and stress-free. Your professionalism, transparency, and dedication gave us complete confidence throughout our journey. We never felt rushed or pressured, and you always made sure we fully understood every stage. Because of your hard work, guidance, and commitment, we finally got our flat. It means a lot to us, and we are truly grateful for everything you've done. We would happily recommend your services to anyone looking for trustworthy and supportive advisors.
T
Tee Chitchanok
We've had such a wonderful experience with Red Cardinal. They are professional, responsive, and genuinely care about their clients. Communication is always clear and timely, and it truly makes a difference to feel supported and valued. We highly recommend Red Cardinal to anyone looking for a reliable property investor. A special thanks to Kaz, he's been attentive, helpful, and a pleasure to work with.
Y
Yves
Kudos to the Red Cardinal team! Especially Kaz for their professionalism and knowledge of the UK property market. We highly recommend their service.
E
Elizabeth Iruonagbe
I am new in property investment and Kaz really assisted me. He was really patient with me and ready to help with any questions. He even sometimes had to ask a professional in that particular area just to make me understand all about property and investment. Thanks Kaz, I appreciate your support.
H
Hamzah Sheikh
Kaz and Red Cardinal have been excellent, providing us with some quality suggestions and guiding us through the investment process. Really appreciated the support, and look forward to working with them in the future. Would recommend for their great industry contacts and quality of service.
A
Ali M.
Kaz was very communicative and helpful in ensuring a smooth process. Highly recommend!
E
Elvina
Kaz is a knowledgeable and affable property sourcer. He always goes above and beyond to smooth the purchasing process. He is great to work with and strongly recommended.
S
Salma Bello
I have been working with Kaz Topham for a few years now and his dedication, transparency and honesty is unrivalled. I highly appreciate the excellent support provided by Red Cardinal. Their commitment to clear communication and dedicated client support has significantly enhanced the investment experience for our joint clients. Thank you for your outstanding service.
P
Paul Chung
Bought two top notch properties from Red Cardinal in 2 days! One in London and the other in Nottingham. The service is first class and they have a great network of different buy-to-let properties in good locations. As a landlord who has been in the rental business for over 20 years, I can spot the professionals from the cowboys. If you want to work with the experts, Red Cardinal is the place to go!
A
Adams Taiwo
Very hands-on and they work with you throughout the process.
L
Louis Mulholland
Kaz is a close friend of mine and has also helped me secure my first property investment. Knowing him both personally and from a business perspective, I can vouch for his professionalism, transparency and dedication to making sure all of his clients receive the highest level of service possible. The investment itself is also overachieving from the conservative financial breakdowns he sent across to me initially, which is brilliant.
F
Fajimi Sulaimon
Kaz and the team at Red Cardinal have been really useful in helping me secure a great property investment in the UK. As an overseas buyer the process is a bit trickier but their communication has been great and they have assisted me from finding the right property through to the legal process etc.
J
Joseph Hegarty
Years ago I worked with Kaz Topham. His relationships with his clients were always very strong, which I think is emblematic of the effort he goes to and his integrity in business. Since we went our separate ways he has referred several clients to me who all seem to have shared the same great experience. Good luck with the new venture!
S
Sike Bamisebi
We were very pleased with the services and guidance received from the team. Kaz was particularly helpful in getting us the best deal possible.
L
Leo Laurence
I am having an excellent experience working with the team at Red Cardinal. They clearly guided me through the investment process from start to finish, offering sound advice and regular updates. Unlike other agencies I've previously worked with, the guys at Red Cardinal maintained regular communication with me even after the investment was made. Special thanks to Kaz, who has been really friendly and helpful throughout!
B
Bunmi Olufeko
Five stars.
S
Suave London
I've had the pleasure of working with Kazuki for years, and his expertise and integrity consistently set him apart. His strategic, client-focused approach ensures tailored advice, and he delivers exceptional service with professionalism and reliability. Highly recommended.
M
Mayur Pawar
Thank you so much, Kaz and Tegha. We had one dream to buy our own house and you truly helped us make it possible. You guided us at every step and gave us proper, honest information about what would be best for us. You always gave us enough time, clear advice, and genuine support. What we really appreciated was your patience in answering all our questions, no matter how small, and the way you made the whole process feel smooth and stress-free. Your professionalism, transparency, and dedication gave us complete confidence throughout our journey. We never felt rushed or pressured, and you always made sure we fully understood every stage. Because of your hard work, guidance, and commitment, we finally got our flat. It means a lot to us, and we are truly grateful for everything you've done. We would happily recommend your services to anyone looking for trustworthy and supportive advisors.
T
Tee Chitchanok
We've had such a wonderful experience with Red Cardinal. They are professional, responsive, and genuinely care about their clients. Communication is always clear and timely, and it truly makes a difference to feel supported and valued. We highly recommend Red Cardinal to anyone looking for a reliable property investor. A special thanks to Kaz, he's been attentive, helpful, and a pleasure to work with.
Y
Yves
Kudos to the Red Cardinal team! Especially Kaz for their professionalism and knowledge of the UK property market. We highly recommend their service.
E
Elizabeth Iruonagbe
I am new in property investment and Kaz really assisted me. He was really patient with me and ready to help with any questions. He even sometimes had to ask a professional in that particular area just to make me understand all about property and investment. Thanks Kaz, I appreciate your support.
H
Hamzah Sheikh
Kaz and Red Cardinal have been excellent, providing us with some quality suggestions and guiding us through the investment process. Really appreciated the support, and look forward to working with them in the future. Would recommend for their great industry contacts and quality of service.
A
Ali M.
Kaz was very communicative and helpful in ensuring a smooth process. Highly recommend!
E
Elvina
Kaz is a knowledgeable and affable property sourcer. He always goes above and beyond to smooth the purchasing process. He is great to work with and strongly recommended.
S
Salma Bello
I have been working with Kaz Topham for a few years now and his dedication, transparency and honesty is unrivalled. I highly appreciate the excellent support provided by Red Cardinal. Their commitment to clear communication and dedicated client support has significantly enhanced the investment experience for our joint clients. Thank you for your outstanding service.
P
Paul Chung
Bought two top notch properties from Red Cardinal in 2 days! One in London and the other in Nottingham. The service is first class and they have a great network of different buy-to-let properties in good locations. As a landlord who has been in the rental business for over 20 years, I can spot the professionals from the cowboys. If you want to work with the experts, Red Cardinal is the place to go!
A
Adams Taiwo
Very hands-on and they work with you throughout the process.
L
Louis Mulholland
Kaz is a close friend of mine and has also helped me secure my first property investment. Knowing him both personally and from a business perspective, I can vouch for his professionalism, transparency and dedication to making sure all of his clients receive the highest level of service possible. The investment itself is also overachieving from the conservative financial breakdowns he sent across to me initially, which is brilliant.
F
Fajimi Sulaimon
Kaz and the team at Red Cardinal have been really useful in helping me secure a great property investment in the UK. As an overseas buyer the process is a bit trickier but their communication has been great and they have assisted me from finding the right property through to the legal process etc.
J
Joseph Hegarty
Years ago I worked with Kaz Topham. His relationships with his clients were always very strong, which I think is emblematic of the effort he goes to and his integrity in business. Since we went our separate ways he has referred several clients to me who all seem to have shared the same great experience. Good luck with the new venture!
S
Sike Bamisebi
We were very pleased with the services and guidance received from the team. Kaz was particularly helpful in getting us the best deal possible.
L
Leo Laurence
I am having an excellent experience working with the team at Red Cardinal. They clearly guided me through the investment process from start to finish, offering sound advice and regular updates. Unlike other agencies I've previously worked with, the guys at Red Cardinal maintained regular communication with me even after the investment was made. Special thanks to Kaz, who has been really friendly and helpful throughout!
B
Bunmi Olufeko
Five stars.
Numbers that matter
Our track record, in figures
£250M
Property transacted
200+
Investors served
30+ yrs
Combined experience
Our process
Four steps, no retainers, no pressure
We only earn when you transact. Our interests are aligned with yours from first call to completion, and beyond.
Step 01
Strategy Consultation
A 20-minute call to understand your capital, timeline, risk appetite, yield vs growth priority, and ownership structure.
Step 02
Investment Recommendation
Hand-picked investments, specifically tailored to your situation and goals.
Step 03
Transaction
We guide lender, solicitor, survey, exchange and completion end-to-end. Nothing left to chance.
Step 04
Ongoing Management
Dedicated lettings team handles tenancy, compliance, rent, maintenance and annual portfolio reviews.
Who we work with
Tailored to your stage, not a template
Whether you're buying your first investment or scaling a ten-strong portfolio, our approach is shaped to fit where you are in the journey.
A Fourth Hold, and a Third Year of Earnings Outpacing Rents
The Monetary Policy Committee held the base rate at 3.75% on 17 September, voting 6 to 3, with August CPI at 3.1%. Three days earlier Zoopla reported rents up 2.6% and availability down 3%. Here is how we are reading the two together.
17 September 2026
Manchester
Manchester Rents Rose 4.2%, and the North West Rose Faster
Office for National Statistics data put average Manchester rent at £1,373 in August, up 4.2% on the year, slower than the North West average of 5.8%. Here is why the most developed market in the region lags it, and what you are actually buying.
10 September 2026
Investment Strategy
Nine Thousand Beds Against a Thirty Thousand Average
Savills counts roughly 2.7 students per purpose-built bed across the twenty largest UK markets, and delivery has fallen to around 9,000 beds a year against a historic average nearer 30,000. Here is why the shortfall is structural and how we approach the sector.
3 September 2026
Common questions
What investors ask us most
Yes, with correct structure and city selection. UK regional cities (Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield) deliver 6-9% gross yields and 5-year capital growth forecasts of 17-31% (JLL, Savills). Higher interest rates and Section 24 tax changes have compressed personal-name higher-rate returns since 2022; SPV-held portfolios in regional cities remain the strongest risk-adjusted UK BTL play in 2026.
Approximately £60,000 cash to close on a first property with a 75% LTV BTL mortgage (25% deposit on a £180k unit, £11,000 SDLT including 5% surcharge, £3,000 setup costs). Cash buyers need £200-£250k for the same quality of asset. International investors typically need 30-40% deposit plus the 2% non-resident SDLT surcharge.
Liverpool leads with 7-9% gross yields in L1, L3, L5 and L7 postcodes on sub-£160k entry prices. Sheffield S1 and Newcastle NE1 follow at 7-8% gross. Manchester Greengate crosses 7% on sub-£250k studios. London yields compress to 3-5% but offer the best long-term capital preservation.
We hold direct relationships with 30+ UK developers, access three institutional pre-launch networks, and receive allocations on 60-70% of new schemes before public release. Every opportunity passes through our documented 22-point due-diligence framework before reaching a client shortlist. We decline approximately 85% of schemes pitched to us.
No. Every stage of UK property acquisition can be completed remotely: reservation, exchange, completion, mortgage signing. UK property law permits remote notarisation via UK consulates or local notaries (apostilled under the Hague Convention). 31% of our 2024 transactions were completed without the client physically visiting the UK.
Higher-rate taxpayers (income above £50,270) with more than 1-2 properties should typically invest via a limited company (SPV) due to Section 24, which denies personal-name BTL landlords the ability to deduct mortgage interest from rental income. Basic-rate taxpayers with 1-2 properties often remain in personal name. We model both routes for every client.
Budget 10-12% above purchase price for a UK BTL acquisition. This comprises: SDLT with 5% surcharge (£11,000-£35,000 typical), solicitor fees £1,200-£2,500, survey £400-£900, lender arrangement £1,000-£2,000, and 6 months rental reserves. International buyers add the 2% non-resident surcharge and any FX cost.
Typical timelines: 14-28 days from first call to reservation, 28 days reservation to exchange, then completion depends on the purchase type. Resale completes 8-14 weeks after exchange. Off-plan completes 18-36 months later at practical completion. International clients typically add 2-4 weeks for remote notarisation and AML documentation.
The Property Ombudsman
TPO D14716
ICO Registered
Ref ZB632945
Companies House No. 14716108
Est. England & Wales
Cavendish Square, W1
Central London office
Manchester office
Spinningfields, M1
Next Step
Ready to put capital to work?
Book a 20-minute call with an advisor. We'll talk through your goals and share three live opportunities matched to your budget and yield targets, no hard-sell, no retainer.