At Contact Cultures, we believe property should serve people, not just profit. We’ve just launched our blog to share how we’re building with purpose, legacy, and a bit of grit along the way. Whether you're an investor, a fellow landlord, or just someone who values honest business, we’d love for you to follow along. 🧱 First post: more than bricks — why we build at Contact Cultures 🌐 Read here: www.contactcultures.com/blog 💬 Thoughts welcome, this is just the beginning

But if you step back for a moment, SA isn’t just a numbers game, it’s a people business wrapped in hospitality, trust, and impact. Behind every short stay is a reason someone needed a home away from home. A family visiting a loved one in hospital. A contractor trying to earn for their family. A couple escaping for rest. A single mum looking for safety. A guest who just needs to feel human again. As SA operators, we hold space for others. Sometimes we’re their first impression of a town, a calm in the middle of their storm, or a quiet reminder that there is still kindness in the world. Yes, it’s business. But done right, it’s also barakah (blessing). So keep your standards high, your systems tight, and your heart open. Because you’re not just filling rooms, you’re creating moments, memories, and meaning. Here’s to building more than income, Here’s to building legacy. 🙏🏽🥰😘

Good evening everybody, I recently started using MileIQ to track all of my mileage. For those that don't know, you can claim 45p per mile as a tax expense for the first 10,000 miles per tax year, then 25p per mile for anything after that. MileIQ works in the background so you don't have to constantly go on the app and manually track everything. You go on the app and swipe left or right for personal or business use and it's as simple as that. 45 per doesn't sound like much but it certainly adds up - I've only been using the app since mid May and I've already racked up £144 as a tax expense

When I started in property over 25 years ago, my goal wasn’t income, it was capital growth. I wanted to own real assets, watch them rise in value, and one day pass something meaningful on to my family. Fast forward to today, and I see a new generation doing Rent-to-SA. It’s smart, lean, and can generate fantastic income. But here’s the truth: If all you’re building is cash flow, you’re still trading time for money. There’s nothing wrong with that, but don’t stop there. Use that cash flow to: - Buy your first asset - Clear personal debt - Fund your education - Or build a war chest for future investments The SA units you manage today are your training ground, but what you’re really doing is learning how to run a business, and how to spot real value when it shows up. My advice? Think bigger than bookings, think equity, not just earnings, and think about who else you’re building this for, because income dies with you, but legacy doesn’t. Keep going. The best foundations are the ones you don’t see straight away. — Tim Haq Legacy Builder, Contact Cultures Properties Ltd

A few of you have asked how things are going with our latest SA developments, so here’s a quick update from the ground: Hilltop Apartments, Earl Shilton We have converted a former commercial building into 9 en-suite SA studio apartments. Everything from planning to compliance has kept us on our toes, including sound insulation, EPCs, and connectivity plans, but we’re getting it done. This will serve both contractors and professionals looking for short-to-mid-term stays. Two of the ground floor studios are already let, bringing in £1,800 each per month. Nibelheim House, Leicester What started as a 4-bed, 2-bath house is now a 6-bed, 5-bath high-yield SA, fully booked and generating strong income. We added value through thoughtful design and by understanding what guests actually want, not just what looks good in photos. Tetuan House Our 7-bed, 3-bath SA is running steadily at £6,300 per month gross. It’s proof that larger group bookings, when done right, can offer strong ROI without cutting corners. Sunnydene Guest House, Great Yarmouth We’ve just taken two large advance bookings, one for £8,000 over 2 weeks, another for £2,000 over 4 days. That’s the power of direct marketing and repeat guests who feel at home. All of this ties back to one thing, serving people well. Whether they’re contractors, families, or holidaymakers, we’re building accommodation that’s clean, safe, and gives people a little more than they expected. And in return? we’re seeing growth, not just financially, but in experience, team strength, and investor confidence. Let me know if you’d like a peek behind the scenes, or are considering doing SA yourself. Always happy to share. — Tim Haq Legacy Builder, Contact Cultures Properties Ltd