An interview with id Estates founder David Lipfriend

Newmanor Law is pleased to collaborate with David Lipfriend, founder and director of id estates. This interview-style article explores David’s business and the services it provides.

Q: What is your background and experience in the property industry?

A: I have been in the property industry all my working life, which means I’ve seen more than 1 (or 2) economic cycles. I started as a commercial property surveyor/agent based in the West End advising national and international companies. Over time, I transitioned into a principal acting on my own account, dealing with retail and residential property.

Whilst doing this, I started operating some of my own residential holdings as serviced accommodation and over time this has become more of my life than property investment & development.

Amongst many things, I enjoy the client service element to it, both for our landlord clients but also our guests staying in our apartments.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about your business and what you do?

A: I run a professional residential flexi-let business that provides fully furnished home-away-from-home accommodation for the corporate sector, business travellers, and the relocation sector. Stays generally range from 14 nights to several months.

We offer either a Guaranteed Rent or Serviced Accommodation Management package and work with agents, landlords, owners, developers, and other stakeholders to provide solutions to problems they have. We have started discussions with a large BTR owner as well as developers about working with them to diversify their portfolio risk profile.

Q: How does your business help landlords with the impact of the Renters’ Reform Bill?

A: The Renters’ Rights Bill will have a considerable impact on all ASTs (Assured Shorthold Tenancies) when it becomes law, including:

• Abolishing Section 21 (no-fault evictions).
• Abolishing fixed-term tenancies (all ASTs will have a rolling two-month notice period).
• Banning rent in advance payments.
• Increasing the required rent arrears period before landlords can take action.

Our model completely mitigates the effects of the Renters’ Rights Bill as we neither take ASTs nor grant ASTs. This means landlords can continue to generate income without being affected by these changes.

Q: How can landlords use your service to generate income from vacant properties?

A: We provide a flexible-term solution for empty properties, generating revenue where none may exist. This could include properties that are:

• For sale (earning income while waiting for a buyer).
• Simply vacant (avoiding empty property issues).
• Not suitable for traditional lettings due to compliance issues.

We also provide a no-cost alternative to live-in guardianship while generating higher net income than a standard AST rental.

Q: What compliance benefits does your model offer landlords?

A: Our flexi-let model exempts landlords from several major regulations, including:

• EPC Requirements – Properties do not require a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), meaning those with an existing rating below “C” can still operate legally.
• Property Licensing – All 33 London boroughs implement property licensing schemes for ASTs, but our model does not fall under these requirements, meaning no need for HMO or selective licensing.

This gives landlords greater flexibility without the administrative burden of compliance.

Q: Who are your typical clients, and how do you market your service? 

A: Our market is the longer-stay business traveller and relocation sector. Our guests generally stay months, not nights, unlike short-term holiday lets.

We target corporates, business travellers, and relocation clients through:

• Specialist corporate travel management companies.
• Specialist short-let agencies.
• Relocation agents.
• Other dedicated business travel channels.

Q: How does your Serviced Accommodation Management package work? 

A: The Serviced Accommodation Management offer is a simple, performance-based model where we charge a fee based on the revenue generated.

• No revenue, no fee – We take care of everything, and landlords only pay based on actual income.
• Fully hands-off – We manage the property, bookings, and maintenance, and provide a revenue statement and payment the following month.