I would also be interested to hear more on this as I have equity I could use

The in-laws bought our flat when we moved out, bought it for £190K and are renting it for £750 a month, I believe that after insurances, service charge etc they lose about £100 a month, but it's all about the long term increase, when they sell it they will be laughing

I don't think they were particularly wise in their choice of investment, but we got our cash so nur