Habitat Investments

12/06/2026

Almost everyone has a contractor horror story.

Delays. Cost overruns. Poor workmanship. Disputes over variations. “Unexpected” claims.

As a RICS Chartered Project Management Surveyor, I have seen first-hand how many project problems can be traced back to decisions made before a contractor is even appointed.

That is why I decided to make this video.

It is not intended to be an exhaustive technical guide. Instead, it provides a practical framework based on how a project manager would typically approach contractor selection, due diligence, risk assessment, contracts, payment structures and some of the most common red flags that are often overlooked.

Whether you are renovating your own home, undertaking a development project, or advising clients professionally, contractor selection is one of the most important decisions you will make.

A question for property owners, developers, architects and project professionals:

When a contractor is recommended, how much due diligence is actually carried out before the appointment?

And if things later go wrong, was the warning sign already there from the beginning?

Watch the full video here:

https://youtu.be/6iV3E3LAxh8?is=E-Yt2YlrTTmVdM3i

How do you choose the right contractor?Whether you are planning a...

29/05/2026

Most people assume buying a home is always the better option.

But what if renting and investing the difference actually leaves you better off?

In this video, we compare buying versus renting using a real 10-year case study, including mortgages, deposits, opportunity cost and investment returns.

Watch the full analysis on YouTube.

Link in bio.

RealEstateInvesting LondonProperty HabitatInvestments

15/05/2026

Renters’ Rights Act Explained: What Changes for Landlords and Tenants

The private rental sector in England is entering a new phase. From May 2026, the Renters’ Rights Act has begun to change some of the most important rules affecting landlords and tenants, including no-fault evictions, tenancy structures, rent increases and dispute resolution.

In this episode on the Habitat Investments YouTube channel, Marco Fasanella explains what these reforms mean in practice and why they matter. The video covers the end of Section 21, the move towards periodic tenancies, the new approach to rent increases, the ban on bidding wars, stronger tenant protections and the wider effect of a more regulated rental market.

One of the key themes in the video is that this is not only a legal reform. It is also part of a wider shift in how rental housing is managed. As regulation increases, the market becomes more structured, more compliance-driven and more operationally demanding. That is one of the reasons why professional property management is becoming more important for landlords who want stronger compliance, better tenant experience and more stable long-term performance.

Watch the full episode here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgPl7Jn5SKE

Habitat Living is our residential operations and property management company, focused on London rental assets and co-living. If you own or operate rental property in London and would like to discuss management, compliance or day-to-day operations, feel free to get in touch.

Habitat Living
https://www.habitatliving.io

Habitat Investments
https://www.habitatinvestments.co.uk

01/05/2026

London is often discussed through prices, rents and housing targets. In reality, what shapes the city is far more complex: planning, regeneration, long-term capital, delivery risk and the ability to bring major projects forward over many years.

In our latest episode of Foundations for Fortunes, Francesco Fasanella speaks with Tarek Jumah about how London actually gets built, what sits behind major regeneration schemes, and why large-scale development remains so challenging even in one of the world’s most established real estate markets.

The conversation covers housing delivery, planning complexity, Build to Rent, co-living, later living, Earls Court, Old Oak Common and the wider future of London development.

Watch the full episode here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoHQ5Zc-ta4

17/04/2026

In this video, we look at what first-time buyers in London should understand before moving ahead with a purchase.

The video covers the wider picture around a first home: affordability, mortgage rules, acquisition costs, the legal process, location strategy, and how to think about a property not only for today, but for the years ahead.

A clear and useful overview from Marco for anyone approaching the London market for the first time.

Watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V0JSemnv94

Buying your first home in London is not just about price. It is about understanding the risks, the process and how the asset will behave over time.In this vi...

10/04/2026

New build?
Or period?
↓

This is usually treated as a personal preference.

In reality, it is a decision about how the asset will perform over time.

Two properties can look very similar on paper, but once you factor in rental income, costs, risk and exit strategy, the outcome can be completely different.

In this video, I break down the real differences between new builds and period properties from an investment perspective, focusing on what actually happens after you buy.

If you are thinking about investing in residential property, this will help you frame the decision in a more structured way.

Watch here:

New Build or Period Property? The real question is not which one looks better. It is how the asset behaves over time.In this video, I explain the investment ...

27/03/2026

Buying property in the UK is not just about price, financing or location.

Tax plays a fundamental role in determining the real outcome of an investment, and it is often misunderstood or underestimated.

In this episode, we discuss how UK property taxation works in practice, focusing on buy-to-let investments, ownership structures and the implications of holding property personally or through a limited company.

Together with Andrea Manzini, Chartered Accountant and Chartered Certified Accountant, we explore how tax considerations can influence long-term strategy, including scenarios involving international mobility and capital gains.

If you are investing or considering investing in UK property, understanding these dynamics is essential.

Watch the full episode here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VGDo2pzmnw

20/03/2026

Construction projects fail early.

Most people assume the problems start on site. In reality, they start much earlier: when there is no structure behind the project. No clear roles, no cost control, no real strategy.

That is when budgets begin to drift, timelines slip and risk builds up without anyone really noticing.

This is where project management actually makes the difference. Not in supervising works, but in setting the project up properly from the beginning: procurement, contracts, cost control and decision-making.

In this video, I explain what a Project Manager really does in UK projects and why this role is often misunderstood.

Watch the full video here:

Construction Project Management is not just about supervising a builder. It is about protecting your budget, programme and risk exposure from day one.In this...

13/03/2026

Survey or valuation?
They are not the same.
↓

When buying a property in the United Kingdom, many buyers assume that the bank’s valuation is enough to understand the real condition of the property.

In reality, it is not.

In this new video on the Habitat Investments YouTube channel, Marco Fasanella explains clearly how the two key assessments in the UK property purchase process work:

• RICS surveys
• the bank’s mortgage valuation
• the practical differences between them when buying property in London.

The key point is simple: the mortgage valuation primarily protects the lender, not the buyer.

A RICS survey, on the other hand, examines the condition of the property and can identify structural issues, construction defects or potential costs that could significantly affect the purchase decision.

In the video we explain:

• when a survey is actually necessary
• what a RICS survey really covers
• the limitations of the bank’s valuation
• why relying only on the mortgage valuation can expose buyers to underestimated risks, especially in the London property market.

The video is in Italian, but English subtitles are available.

Watch the full video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAKIota2gKE

Quando si acquista casa nel Regno Unito, perizia e valuation non sono la stessa cosa.In questo video spieghiamo come funzionano le RICS surveys e la mortgage...

06/03/2026

£500,000 a Londra.
Cosa puoi davvero comprare?
↓

Marco Fasanella ha pubblicato un nuovo video sul canale Habitat Investments in cui analizza quattro immobili reali attualmente sul mercato londinese, tutti con un budget di circa £500,000.

Il punto interessante è che, con lo stesso budget, il risultato può essere completamente diverso a seconda di:

– posizione
– tipologia di immobile
– obiettivo di acquisto

Nel video vengono analizzati quattro esempi concreti:

Chelsea – studio flat in zona prime
Acton – appartamento in un’area di rigenerazione urbana
Mile End – appartamento con due camere in East London
Sutton – casa freehold nella Greater London

Quattro proprietà, stesso budget, quattro logiche di acquisto completamente diverse.

È un buon esempio di come il mercato immobiliare londinese funzioni in realtà come un insieme di micro-mercati, dove strategia, posizione e liquidità futura contano molto più del prezzo nominale.

🎥 Qui il video completo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gaapgQJQgs

Nel video viene anche spiegato come interpretare correttamente un budget di acquisto a Londra e quali elementi considerare prima di prendere una decisione.

Marco Fasanella

Con un budget di £500,000, cosa è possibile acquistare oggi a Londra?In questo video analizziamo quattro immobili reali attualmente sul mercato londinese, mo...