Lettings experts are being invited to the unveiling of a service described by its creators as “a revolutionary rental product.”

It is called the Advanced Rent Option which allows agents and landlords to receive annual rent upfront in one lump sum.

The launch – at London’s Royal Institution of Great Britain between 6.30pm and 9.30pm on August 28 – will take the form of a panel debate chaired by high-profile lettings expert and property commentator Christopher Watkin.

The debate will include Zoopla managing director Charlie Bryant, the owner of Choices Estate Agents Simon Shinerock, property developer and investor John Howard, and certified accountant and tax adviser Karl Carraher.

“The ARO has already generated a huge amount of interest among inquisitive landlords and investors who are looking for innovative ways to manage and grow their portfolios” says Simon Shinerock, owner of Choices Estate Agents, the company which is promoting the product through its existing Primary Tenancy service.

“This event will give them the chance to understand exactly how the ARO works and how it is already benefitting other landlords. There’ll also be a range of presentations around the current state of the market and where it’s headed” he adds.

Watkin says: “Now is the time for letting agents and landlords to be thinking ahead with the aim of future-proofing their success. The ARO is a boundary-pushing concept which fits this mould and acknowledges the changing landscape of the modern lettings market.”

ARO works like this: it provides investors with a lump sum of up to 12 months’ rent in advance, less the equivalent of standard letting agency fees, new tenancy set-up fees, an emergency maintenance float and optional rent guarantee.

“A combination of challenging market conditions and record low buy to let mortgage rates means now is the perfect time for savvy investors to expand their portfolios” adds Shinerock.

“We want to help landlords to take their next step in the property market on their journey towards financial freedom, or alternatively to simply make a dream luxury purchase, pay for a wedding, school fees or anything else they desire” he says.

Those signing up for ARO at the launch event – for which readers can register here – will receive a free landlord rent guarantee worth three per cent of annual rent.

The launch event is being hosted by Angels Media, publisher of Letting Agent Today, Estate Agent Today, Landlord Today and Property Investor Today.