Question 1

What is property crowdfunding and how does UOWN work?

Accepted Answer

Property crowdfunding means a crowd of investors (like you) collectively fund a property project and each investor owns a share of it. UOWN is an online platform that makes this easy – you browse available property development projects and invest alongside others. When you invest with UOWN, you're buying shares in a project's holding company (often called an SPV) that owns the property. Because it's equity investing (not a loan), you get a proportionate share of any profits when the project is completed and sold. In short: we pool funds to acquire or develop a property, the project is managed to completion, then profits (if all goes well!) are split among investors based on shares owned. UOWN handles the legwork of finding and managing projects – you just pick an opportunity, invest, and let the development take its course. We no longer offer loan investments, so every deal on UOWN is equity-only in the property's development company.

Question 2

Who can invest with UOWN?

Accepted Answer

UOWN is open to individuals 18 years or older who are residents of the UK. We also welcome investors from select European countries (currently Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands) under a reciprocal arrangement – you can invest just like a UK investor. If you live elsewhere, we may be able to accommodate you on a case-by-case basis; just get in touch and we'll discuss your situation. (Unfortunately, due to local laws we can't accept investors from the USA, Canada, Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Africa, etc.) As long as you meet the age and residency requirements and can pass our identity checks, you're welcome to join the UOWN community of investors.

Question 3

Why do I have to verify my identity to sign up?

Accepted Answer

Because we deal with financial investments, we're required by law to verify who you are – it's all part of anti-money laundering (AML) and 'Know Your Customer' (KYC) regulations. Don't worry, the process is quick and mostly painless! We partner with Shufti Pro (a secure third-party verification service) to check your ID. You'll be asked to provide some personal details and snap a photo of an identity document (like your passport or driver's license) and a selfie. We use these to confirm you're a real person and not, say, a clever cat with a wallet. For most people, verification is instant. You can invest immediately after signing up, but you'll need to complete full KYC verification through Shufti before receiving any returns. This is a regulatory requirement. Once you're verified, all your returns will be paid directly to your bank account. The bottom line: verifying identity keeps UOWN compliant and the platform safe for everyone.

Question 4

What kinds of properties can I invest in on UOWN?

Accepted Answer

UOWN currently focuses on property development projects in the UK. These are typically equity investments where your money helps fund the construction or redevelopment of a property, and you share in the upside when the project is completed. The types of projects you'll see include: • Residential developments: e.g. building new apartments, housing estates, student accommodations, or refurbishing existing residential buildings. • Commercial developments: e.g. developing a hotel (fun fact: we've funded aparthotel projects with the Roomzzz brand), mixed-use buildings, etc. • Renovation projects: sometimes properties that need significant improvement and will be sold or rented out after. • Land and build: occasionally, projects that involve purchasing land and building from scratch. All UOWN deals are equity-only – meaning you're buying shares in the project's company. In some cases the project might also have a bank loan for part of the funding (leverage), but your part is always equity. We do not offer any loan or fixed-interest investments at this time, so you won't find things like peer-to-peer property loans on UOWN. So, think of UOWN's offerings as participating in property development profits – you come in during the funding/construction phase and exit when the property is sold. The platform is not for buy-to-let income or personal home purchases.

Question 5

Why do I own shares instead of the property itself?

Accepted Answer

When you invest through UOWN, you technically own shares in a special purpose vehicle (SPV) company that owns the property, rather than directly owning the bricks and mortar. This structure is very common in crowdfunding and it has some important advantages: • Limited liability: The SPV is a limited company. Your risk is limited to the money you invested – you're not personally liable for anything the company does. If something went wrong with the project, creditors can't come after you beyond your share capital. • Ease of management: The SPV (managed by UOWN or the developer) can enter contracts, receive rental income, pay taxes, etc., on behalf of all investors. It streamlines operations compared to trying to manage hundreds of individual owners. • Regulatory simplicity: It avoids creating a collective investment scheme or other regulatory headaches. Each investor holds shares, and the SPV's single asset is the property. • Nominee structure: In many cases, UOWN (or a nominee entity) might hold the legal title of the property on behalf of the SPV/investors, again to simplify paperwork. That's why your name isn't on the Land Registry for the property – the SPV or nominee's name is. Don't worry, you still beneficially own your portion through your shares. So, you own a piece of a company, and that company owns the property. It's one step removed, but it's done to protect you and make administration feasible. If you're curious: typically the SPV is a UK limited company created solely for that project. If you invest, say, 5% of the total funds, you'll hold 5% of the shares of that company.

Question 6

How much money will I earn?

Accepted Answer

The honest (if unsatisfying) answer is: 'It depends on the project's performance.' Each project on UOWN comes with a projected return – usually expressed as a percentage (e.g., 'Projected Return: 20%') or an annualized rate if the term is long. This projection is our best estimate of the profit you could make on top of your initial investment, based on the business plan. For example, a 20% projected return on a 1-year project means we anticipate a £100 investment could return £120 total (your £100 back + £20 profit). However, these returns are not guaranteed – property values can go up or down, costs can overrun, or timelines can shift. You could end up earning less than projected, or more, or in a worst-case scenario, even lose some of your capital. We give projections based on careful analysis, but they remain forecasts. That said, UOWN has a pretty strong track record so far: • The average project return delivered to investors historically is around 17.7% (profit per project). That's an average across all completed deals – some delivered more, some less. • Our most successful project to date returned a hefty 26% profit to investors. • We're proud that as of now, every project we've completed has delivered a positive return (no investor has lost money on a completed project to date) – though of course, past performance is not a reliable guide to future results. Timing of earnings: In development projects, you typically get your profit at the end when the property is sold. There's no interim interest or dividend in most cases. So you might see a big fat 20% – but remember that might be over 1-2 years, not per month or anything.

Question 7

What are the fees for investing with UOWN?

Accepted Answer

We like to keep things simple: UOWN charges just one fee to investors – a 2% transaction fee on each investment you make. That's it. There are no ongoing management fees, no monthly account fees, no withdrawal fees from our side. We only earn money when you choose to invest in a project. Here's how the 2% fee works in practice: The fee is added on top of your investment amount. If you invest £100 into a project, you'll pay £102 in total  - the full £100 goes into the project and £2 goes to UOWN as the fee. If you invest £50 (the minimum), you'll pay £51. You'll see this breakdown clearly in your transaction summary. Important points about fees: • No fees to join: Signing up and using the platform is free. You can browse projects without any charge. • No performance fee: UOWN doesn't take a cut of your profits or charge any success fees. If a project doubles your money (we hope so!), we don't skim anything extra off the top. Our 2% at the start is the only fee from investors' side. • No hidden fees: We pride ourselves on transparency. You won't find surprise charges in the fine print. The project details will clearly show the 2% fee when you go to invest. • Developer/other fees: Just to clarify, the 2% is what you, the investor, pay. UOWN may also earn fees from the property developers or project sponsors (for example, for listing their project or a share of profits), but those do not come out of your investment – they are separate arrangements. We mention this because some folks ask, 'How does UOWN sustain itself on 2%?' The answer is we have multiple revenue streams, but as an investor you only need to worry about the one small fee you pay directly. • Example: If you invest £1,000 into a project, you'll pay £1,020 in total  - the full £1,000 is invested in the project under your name and £20 goes to UOWN. When the project pays out, you'll get returns on the full £1,000 (plus your £1,000 back). By keeping a single, low fee, we ensure our interests are aligned – we want as many successful investments as possible so that you (and we) profit together. And because we only charge when you invest, there's no cost while you're browsing and waiting for the right opportunity.

Question 8

Do I have to pay any fees for making investments or receiving returns?

Accepted Answer

No payment processing fees. With our direct investment model through Yapily's open banking, you pay directly from your bank account when investing  - there are no additional payment processing fees. Similarly, when you receive returns, they're paid directly to your bank account without any withdrawal fees. • When you invest via open banking through Yapily, the payment is instant and free (no additional charges beyond the 2% investment fee). • When returns are paid directly to your bank account, UOWN doesn't levy any withdrawal or transfer fees. The full amount of your returns is sent to you. We want your experience to be frictionless. The only potential charges would be if you're using a non-UK bank in a different currency (then your bank might have FX fees), but for normal usage with UK accounts and GBP, you won't see charges. Also, there are no account maintenance fees. You can keep an account open with us and it costs you nothing. We don't charge inactivity fees or anything sneaky like that. So to reiterate: aside from the 2% investment fee mentioned above, using UOWN is fee-free. Investments and returns flow directly between your bank and the projects without additional charges.

Question 9

Are there any other costs I should be aware of?

Accepted Answer

Not from UOWN directly. The platform's costs to you are basically the 2% entry fee on investments. However, it's good to be aware of a few things: • Project-level costs: Each property project itself will have its own costs (like solicitors, stamp duty, construction costs, etc.), but those are accounted for in the project's financials. They don't come as additional charges to you; they just factor into how much profit the project makes. In other words, when we present projected returns, that's after all project expenses. • Tax: While not a fee, taxes can affect your net returns (see the Tax section for details). UOWN doesn't withhold any personal taxes on your behalf, so if you owe any tax on your investment profits, that's something to handle via HMRC. Again, not a fee to us, but an important consideration for your total cost. • Currency conversion: Currently UOWN operates in GBP. If for some reason you were using a foreign bank or currency, you might have currency conversion costs through your bank – but 99% of our users won't face this. • External bank fees: As noted, typical UK bank transfers are free. If you were to wire funds internationally or something unusual, your bank or intermediary might charge a fee. This is outside UOWN's control. The bottom line is we strive for no surprises. If UOWN ever were to introduce a new fee, we'd be upfront and let everyone know well in advance (and frankly, we have no plans for that). We like the keep-things-simple approach.

Question 10

How do I invest in a UOWN project?

Accepted Answer

Investing with UOWN is now simpler than ever with direct bank payments: Choose your project: Browse available investment opportunities and select the project you want to invest in. Enter investment amount: Decide how much you want to invest (minimum £50 per project). Direct bank payment: Pay directly from your bank account using Yapily's open banking technology. Your funds go straight into the project SPV's bank account  - secure and takes just seconds to process. Instant confirmation: Your payment clears almost immediately - no waiting days for bank transfers. Important: The bank account you invest from will be registered as your designated account for receiving returns. All future payouts will go back to this same account.

Question 11

How quickly does my investment payment process?

Accepted Answer

With our Yapily open banking system, payments are lightning fast: Processing time: Your investment payment typically clears in seconds, not days. Real-time confirmation: You'll receive immediate confirmation once your payment is processed. No delays: Unlike traditional bank transfers that can take 1-3 business days, open banking payments are near-instantaneous. Bank compatibility: Yapily works with all major UK banks. You'll be redirected to your bank's secure login to authorise the payment. Secure process: Open banking is regulated by the FCA and uses bank-level security throughout.

Question 12

How will I receive my returns when a project completes?

Accepted Answer

Returns are paid directly back to your designated bank account: Same account returns: Payments go directly to the bank account you used to make your investment - no need to request withdrawals. KYC requirement: You must pass KYC verification through Shufti before receiving any returns. This is a regulatory requirement. Deferred payments: If you haven't completed KYC when returns are due, your payment will be held securely until you verify your identity. Direct transfer: Once KYC is complete, funds are transferred directly to your bank - typically within 1-2 business days. Multiple investments: If you invested from the same bank account in multiple projects, all returns go to that account.

Question 13

Is property crowdfunding risky?

Accepted Answer

Yes, property crowdfunding carries significant risks that you should understand: Capital at risk: You could lose some or all of your invested money if projects fail or underperform. Illiquidity: Your money is locked in for the project duration (typically 1-3 years) with no secondary market to sell early. Development risks: Construction delays, cost overruns, planning issues, or quality problems can all impact returns. Market risk: Property values can fall, affecting your returns or causing losses. No guarantees: Projected returns are estimates only - actual returns may be lower or negative. Platform risk: As an unregulated platform, you have fewer protections than with regulated investments. Concentration risk: Property crowdfunding should only be a small part of a diversified portfolio. Only invest money you can afford to lose entirely without affecting your lifestyle or financial security.

Question 14

How should I diversify my property investments?

Accepted Answer

Diversification is key to managing risk in property crowdfunding: Multiple projects: Spread investments across several projects rather than putting everything in one. Different locations: Invest in projects across different cities or regions to reduce geographic concentration. Property types: Mix residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments in your portfolio. Project stages: Consider projects at different development stages - some pre-construction, some mid-development. Timeline variety: Choose projects with different completion dates to stagger your returns. Investment sizes: Keep individual investments small relative to your total portfolio - perhaps 5-10% maximum per project. Developer diversity: Don't put all investments with the same developer, even if they've performed well. Remember: Diversification within property crowdfunding doesn't eliminate risk - property markets can move together.

Question 15

What assets should I include alongside UOWN?

Accepted Answer

UOWN investments should be part of a balanced, diversified portfolio: Emergency fund: Always maintain 3-6 months of expenses in instant-access savings before investing. Stocks and shares: Listed equities provide liquidity and different risk/return profiles than property. Bonds: Government and corporate bonds offer more stable, predictable returns. ISAs and pensions: Tax-advantaged accounts should form the core of long-term savings. REITs: Listed real estate investment trusts provide property exposure with daily liquidity. Cash savings: Some money in protected bank accounts for security and liquidity. Other alternatives: Peer-to-peer lending, commodities, or other investments depending on your risk appetite. Asset allocation: Property crowdfunding might represent 5-10% of a diversified portfolio, depending on your circumstances. Seek advice: Consider consulting a financial advisor for personalized portfolio construction.

Question 16

How is my investment protected?

Accepted Answer

Your investments are protected through multiple safeguards: Direct investment model: You invest directly into project SPVs via Yapily's secure open banking platform. Your funds are held in the SPV's own bank account until they're drawn down for the development  - UOWN does not hold investor funds. Ring-fenced SPVs: Your investment goes into a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that owns the specific property. Each project has its own SPV, completely separate from UOWN's operations. Legal protection: The SPV structure provides limited liability – you can only lose what you invested, nothing more. Creditors cannot come after your personal assets. Not FSCS protected: Important to note – investments are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. This is standard for property investment platforms. If UOWN failed: Your investments would continue to exist in their SPVs. An administrator would transfer management to ensure projects complete and you receive returns directly to your bank account.

Question 17

Are investor funds held separately from UOWN funds?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your investments are completely separate from UOWN's operations: • Direct investment: You invest directly from your bank into the project SPV's bank account via Yapily. Funds are ring-fenced within the SPV, not held by UOWN. • SPV structure: Your money goes straight into project-specific SPVs (Special Purpose Vehicles), which are independent legal entities. • No commingling: There's no opportunity for funds to be mixed with UOWN's operational accounts. • Protection in insolvency: If UOWN went bankrupt, your SPV investments would be unaffected and continue independently. • Direct returns: When projects complete, returns are paid directly from the SPV to your bank account, not through UOWN. This structure ensures maximum protection  - your funds are held within the SPV, ring-fenced from UOWN's own operations.

Question 18

What payment provider does UOWN use?

Accepted Answer

UOWN uses Yapily for secure, instant payment processing: Who are Yapily: They're a leading open banking infrastructure provider that enables secure, real-time payments directly from your bank account. Open banking technology: Yapily uses FCA-regulated open banking APIs to connect directly with your bank for secure payments. Instant processing: Unlike traditional bank transfers, Yapily payments clear in seconds, not days. Bank-level security: All payments go through your bank's own security systems - you authorise directly with your bank. No stored credentials: Yapily never stores your banking login details  - each payment requires fresh authorisation. Wide compatibility: Yapily works with all major UK banks and building societies.

Question 19

Is UOWN authorised by the FCA?

Accepted Answer

UOWN is not currently FCA-regulated. Our current model operates as a bridging finance structure, which sits outside the scope of FCA regulation. Our history: UOWN was previously an appointed representative of an FCA-authorised firm, and we operated under full FCA oversight for several years. That experience shaped how we run the business today. Best practices retained: Although we are no longer required to meet FCA standards, we have kept all of the investor protection practices, compliance procedures, and governance frameworks we built during our regulated period. We believe these are the right way to operate regardless of whether they're mandated. What this means for you: Your investments are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) or the Financial Ombudsman Service. However, your funds are protected through ring-fenced SPV structures, and we maintain the same rigorous standards for transparency, due diligence, and investor communication that we always have. We are transparent about our regulatory status because we believe informed investors make better decisions. If you have any questions about how this affects you, please get in touch.

Question 20

What does FCA regulation mean in practice?

Accepted Answer

Here's a straightforward breakdown of what our regulatory position means for you: No FSCS protection: Your investments are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. This is standard for property development investments, including on FCA-regulated platforms. No FOS access: You cannot escalate complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service. However, we have a thorough internal complaints process and take every issue seriously. What we do instead: Having previously operated under FCA regulation, we retained the compliance infrastructure, governance processes, and investor protections we built during that period. We conduct the same level of due diligence, maintain the same transparency standards, and follow the same anti-money laundering procedures. SPV protection: Your funds go directly into ring-fenced SPVs with their own bank accounts. This structural protection exists regardless of regulatory status and is one of the strongest safeguards available. Our commitment: We believe regulation is a floor, not a ceiling. We hold ourselves to a high standard because it's the right thing to do  - not just because a regulator requires it.

Question 21

What standards does UKCFA endorse?

Accepted Answer

The UK Crowdfunding Association (UKCFA) promotes best practices for crowdfunding platforms: Transparency: Clear, accurate information about investments, risks, and fees. Fair treatment: Treating all investors fairly regardless of investment size. Due diligence: Proper vetting of investment opportunities before listing. Investor education: Helping investors understand risks and make informed decisions. Complaint handling: Having clear procedures for handling investor complaints. Data protection: Protecting investor data in line with GDPR requirements. Marketing standards: Honest, clear marketing that doesn't mislead about risks or returns. Note: UKCFA standards are voluntary guidelines, not regulatory requirements.

Question 22

How many projects has UOWN funded?

Accepted Answer

UOWN has successfully funded multiple property development projects across the UK. Track record: We've completed numerous projects since our launch, with all completed projects delivering positive returns to investors. Project types: Our portfolio includes residential developments, commercial properties, and mixed-use developments. Geographic spread: Projects have been located across the UK, with concentrations in major cities and growth areas. Current pipeline: We typically have several live investment opportunities at any time, carefully selected for quality. For specific numbers and current statistics, please check our platform or contact our team directly.

Question 23

What is your average return to date?

Accepted Answer

UOWN has delivered strong returns to investors across completed projects. Historical average: Our average return to investors on completed projects is approximately 17.7%. Best performer: Our most successful project to date delivered a 26% return to investors. Consistency: To date, all completed projects have delivered positive returns, though this doesn't guarantee future performance. Important note: Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Property development carries risks and returns can vary. Returns are calculated on a per-project basis, not annualized, as project durations vary.

Question 24

How experienced is the development team?

Accepted Answer

UOWN benefits from extensive property development expertise: Parklane Group backing: UOWN is part of the Parklane Group, which has over 40 years of experience in property development and investment. Proven track record: The team has successfully delivered numerous property projects across residential, commercial, and mixed-use sectors. Industry relationships: Strong connections with developers, contractors, and property professionals built over decades. Due diligence expertise: Deep understanding of property markets, development processes, and risk assessment. Combined experience: Our team brings together expertise in property development, finance, technology, and crowdfunding. Continuous learning: We stay current with market trends, regulations, and best practices in property crowdfunding.

Question 25

Will I pay tax on my investment returns?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in most cases you will need to pay tax on investment returns from UOWN. The specific tax treatment depends on your personal circumstances and the nature of the returns: UK tax residents: You'll typically owe tax on any profits you make when your investment exits. The type of tax depends on how HMRC classifies the income (usually capital gains or dividend income). Tax rates: The rate you pay depends on your total income and gains for the year. Basic rate taxpayers might pay 10-20% on gains, while higher rate taxpayers could pay 20-40%. Important: UOWN doesn't withhold tax on your behalf. You're responsible for declaring and paying any tax due through self-assessment. We recommend consulting a tax advisor to understand your specific obligations. Tax rules can be complex and depend on individual circumstances.

Question 26

Are returns subject to Capital Gains Tax?

Accepted Answer

In many cases, yes - returns from UOWN investments may be subject to Capital Gains Tax (CGT): How it works: When you sell your shares in a property SPV for more than you paid, the profit is typically treated as a capital gain. Annual allowance: You have an annual CGT allowance (£3,000 for 2024/25 tax year). You only pay tax on gains above this threshold. Rates: CGT rates for property are currently 18% for basic rate taxpayers and 24% for higher rate taxpayers (as of 2024/25). Calculation: Your gain is the difference between what you invested and what you receive back (minus the original investment and allowable costs). Note: Tax treatment can vary depending on how the investment is structured and your personal circumstances. Always check with HMRC or a tax advisor.

Question 27

Are profits taxed as dividends or other income?

Accepted Answer

The tax treatment of your UOWN returns depends on how they're classified: Capital gains: Most UOWN returns from property development exits are likely to be treated as capital gains rather than dividends, since you're selling shares in an SPV. Dividends: If the SPV pays out interim distributions (rare in development projects), these might be treated as dividends with different tax rates. Dividend tax rates: 0% on first £500 (2024/25), then 8.75% basic rate, 33.75% higher rate, 39.35% additional rate. Income tax: In some cases, HMRC might treat returns as trading income, especially if you invest very frequently. Documentation: UOWN will provide information about the nature of distributions, but final tax treatment is determined by HMRC based on your circumstances.

Question 28

What if my documents fail Shufti Pro verification?

Accepted Answer

If your identity verification fails, don't worry - this happens sometimes and can usually be resolved: Common reasons for failure: Poor photo quality (blurry or dark), expired documents, mismatched information, documents not fully visible, or selfie doesn't match the ID photo. How to fix it: You'll receive an email explaining why verification failed. Follow the instructions to resubmit with better quality photos, ensuring good lighting, all corners visible, and clear text. Alternative documents: If one document type doesn't work, try another (e.g., passport instead of driving license). Manual review: If automated verification keeps failing, contact support for manual review. We can often resolve issues that the automated system struggles with. Need help? Email us at support@uown.co with your verification issue and we'll guide you through the process.

Question 29

What tech issues might occur during registration?

Accepted Answer

While we strive for a smooth experience, you might encounter these technical issues: Browser compatibility: UOWN works best on modern browsers (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge). Update your browser if you experience issues. Cookie/cache problems: Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again. This solves many login and display issues. Pop-up blockers: Disable pop-up blockers temporarily as they can interfere with verification windows. Mobile issues: If the mobile site has problems, try using desktop mode or switch to a computer. Verification timeout: The identity verification process may time out. If this happens, start fresh rather than resuming. Email not received: Check spam/junk folders. Add noreply@uown.co to your safe senders list. Can't resolve it? Contact support@uown.co with details of the issue, your browser/device, and any error messages.

Question 30

Why didn’t my bank deposit reflect?

Accepted Answer

If your investment payment hasn't gone through, here's what to check: Processing time: With Yapily open banking, payments are usually instant (seconds). Payments sent late or on weekends may not process until the next business day. Reference number: Ensure you completed the bank authorisation process when redirected to your bank's website. Without it, we may struggle to match the payment to your account. Bank confirmation: Check your bank account to confirm the payment was debited. Open banking payments show immediately. Name matching: You must invest from your own bank account. Third-party payments are not accepted. Amount limits: Very large investments might trigger additional security checks with your bank. Still missing? If the payment failed or is stuck, email support@uown.co with details and we'll investigate immediately.

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