Looking for a fresh perspective on the UK housing market?

Sheila Smith, founder of BeHomed and a rent-to-own property expert, shares insights on the challenges facing today's buyers, landlords and developers – and what's actually working in the market right now.

Available for articles, interviews, podcasts, panels and events.

Get in touch

As seen in

Television

Interview with Lee Anderson, GB News

Sheila Smith shares how BeHomed helps renters move in now and buy later – creating win-win solutions for buyers, landlords and investors.

Articles and opinions

Homes Ad Hoc, July 2026

Stuck with a Buy-to-Let That’s Costing You Money? Now There’s Another Way to Exit

Owning a buy-to-let property used to feel like a sensible long-term investment. Today, however, many landlords are asking themselves a different question: Is it still worth it?

Read article on Homes Ad Hoc

This is Money, July 2026

How families are using rent to buy to get on the ladder in homes builders and landlords can't sell

Many homes on new-build estates are empty as higher mortgage rates, worries about job security and squeezed finances put would-be buyers off making a move.

Read article on thisismoney.co.uk

Estate Agent Today, May 2026

New Rent-To-Buy business model aims to help would-be purchasers

A service called BeHomed claims to promote home ownership through a US-style Rent-To-Buy business model. It works like this...

Read article on estateagenttoday.co.uk

Landlord Today, May 2026

American-style Rent To Buy scheme seeks disillusioned UK landlords

It operates a rent-to-own business model which it says is designed “to support aspiring homeowners while helping landlords...”

Read article on landlordtoday.co.uk

Wealth Builders, May 2026

The Rent-to-Own Revolution with Sheila Smith

This episode features Kevin Whelan and Sheila Smith discussing an alternative path to homeownership that helps renters move towards owning a property while also offering landlords a more flexible exit strategy.

Listen on WealthBuilders.com

Mixcloud, April 2026

Cotswolds Radio Matt Rowe's Money Show 6th May 2026

Sheila joins Matt Rowe on Cotswolds Radio to talk about BeHomed, Nina Simone and Davie Bowie

Listen to the show on MixCloud

Spotify, April 2026

Stories from Behind the Mask - Episode 3

Sheila talks about a trip she took in 2002, when she travelled solo through Burma (Myanmar) under military rule. Meeting Mr Book, a former teacher and underground bookseller, opened her eyes to the true meaning of freedom and the importance of using her voice.

Listen on Spotify

Blue Bricks Magazine, April 2026

Blue Bricks Magazine – The Rent-to-Own Revolution

Property used to be a straightforward investment. Profitable, too. More and more landlords are telling me that’s changed. And now the Renters’ Rights Act, which for many is the final straw.

Read the article on BeHomed.co.uk

Standard, March 2026

Can this rent-to-buy scheme help tenants get on the property ladder?

Luke and Hollie Brayne are not your average tenants. Since January, the couple have been renting a three-bedroom house in Shoreham, West Sussex.

Read article on standard.co.uk

Sussex World, December 2025

'The government risks making life harder for the people they aim to help'

Housing has been under pressure for a long time – and last Wednesday’s Budget risks tightening the screws further.

Read the article on sussexexpress.co.uk

Business Influencer, November 2025

Behold BeHomed – The New 'Win-Win' Approach To Investing In UK Property

UK housing values are stalling due to current Government policy and low consumer confidence; many aspiring homeowners still can’t manage to get on to the increasingly slippery housing ladder or qualify for a mortgage.

Read the article (paywall)

Sussex World, November 2025

Sussex businesswoman 'unmasked' for creative photography exhibition

Sheila Smith was among the entrepreneurs taking part in Unmasked, a ‘creative photography shoot and exhibition for the bold and the brave’.

Read the article on sussexexpress.co.uk

Brand You Magazine, November 2025

The property dream is no longer a nightmare

There's a growing wave of women, especially in business, who are asking better questions. Not just 'how much can I make?' but 'what difference can I make?

Read the article (paywall)

Daily Express, October 2025

Empty properties can solve Britain's housing shortage

One of Labour's flag-ship pledges was to build 1.5 million homes during this Parliament. That's 300,000 a year. It looked ambitious, and it was.

Read the article on express.co.uk (paywall)

Monaco Voice, August 2025

Investing in the UK property market makes perfect sense

My approach allows people to move in straight away and know that renting is already helping to buy their home in full.

Read the article on monacovoice.com

Sussex World, July 2025

Sussex businesswoman launches new 'rent to own' property company

Sheila Smith has set up a company called BeHomed as an alternative to existing government-backed rent-to-buy or housing association schemes.

Read the article