●Case study · Hands-off portfolio · 5 min read
From premium bonds to a retirement income stream.
Retired couple, North East
8%
Return on cash employed for the client
£2,895
Net rental income, year one
£625 pm
Gross rent achieved on the single asset
A retired couple came to us with £100,000 sitting in premium bonds that were not earning what they needed to fund the lifestyle they had planned. They wanted reliable income, not speculation. They wanted to keep the capital working without becoming hobbyist landlords. And they wanted a single, calm acquisition rather than a portfolio sprint.
What the client wanted
A single, well-chosen property that produced a predictable monthly income. A clean, hands-off process from first call to first rent. And confidence that the property would still be performing in five years, not slowly draining maintenance budget.
What we ran for them
One property acquired in Chester-le-Street through our direct-to-vendor channel. Refurbished to a lettable standard against a defined budget. Handed to a local letting agent at completion. Tenants were in place shortly after the works signed off.
Wanting to invest in property with a limited amount of funds was a bit daunting, but WPG just made it all possible and with ease. From the first Zoom meeting to the first rental income in our bank, they were by our side. The refurbishment came in on budget, the property search was swift, and we now have good tenants, all sourced by WPG.
The property
Chester-le-Street
11 Albert Street
Stable family-let catchment, walking distance to the centre. Refurbished, tenanted, and producing £625 pm in gross rent.
Property breakdown
- Approach
- Buy, refurbish, refinance
- Properties acquired
- 1
- Location
- Chester-le-Street, County Durham
- Capital initially deployed
- £100,000
- Gross monthly rent achieved
- £625
- Net rental income, year one
- £2,895
- Return on cash employed
- 8%
- Status
- Tenanted, ongoing
The result
The single asset produces £625 per month in gross rent, with a year-one net income of £2,895 after operating costs. Return on cash employed sits at 8%, comfortably ahead of where the premium bonds were tracking.
More relevant for retirement: the income is reliable, the property is managed, and the client is not running a part-time business in their seventies.
What happens next
The client is in conversation with us about a second acquisition. The plan is to layer a small portfolio of two or three properties that collectively replace the income the premium bonds were supposed to deliver.
Capital sitting in something that is not earning its keep?
Portfolio building is consultation-only. The retired couples and business owners we work with want a hands-off route to a real income line, not a second job.
The information on this page is provided for general guidance only. It is not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Whittaker Property Group is an estate agent and property services business, not a regulated financial adviser. You should take independent professional advice before making any investment or financial decision.