One of the things we hear most from landlords is some version of "it's just a two-bed in a normal street, nobody will book that" or "we're not in a tourist area." It's a fair worry. But in most cases the property isn't the problem. What decides whether a short-let works is who needs to stay nearby, and how well the listing is run.
Short-lets aren't just holidays
Plenty of guests aren't on holiday at all. Across the properties we manage, people stay for all sorts of reasons: contractors working on a job nearby, people visiting family or someone in hospital, business trips, families between house moves, and weekend breaks.
Our guest reviews tell the same story. One guest at our Leeds flat picked out how handy it was for St James's Hospital, about a mile away. Another liked that the street was quiet but still had plenty of restaurants within walking distance. In Braintree, a guest enjoyed their stay so much they extended it by five days. None of those are tourist hotspots, and all of them get booked.
What makes a listing work
A reason to stay nearby. Hospitals, universities, business parks, big employers, event venues and good transport links all bring guests.
A setup that suits those guests. Contractors want parking, separate beds and a washing machine. Business guests want fast WiFi and a desk. Families want space and a travel cot.
Pricing that moves. One fixed price all year leaves busy nights too cheap and quiet nights empty.
Photos and a title that sell it. Guests scroll quickly. The first photo and the title decide whether they click.
Fast replies and spotless changeovers. These drive reviews, and reviews drive bookings.
When it genuinely won't work
Sometimes the honest answer is no, or not yet. It's worth checking these before anything else:
Your mortgage, lease or freeholder doesn't allow it. Many mortgages and leases need consent for short-term letting, and some rule it out completely.
Local rules make it difficult. In London, a whole home can only be let short-term for up to 90 nights a year without planning permission. In Scotland, you need a short-term let licence. Elsewhere, check with your council.
There's no reason for anyone to stay nearby, and nothing that would make the property stand out.
You need exactly the same income every month. A short-let earns more in some months than others. If a fixed monthly figure matters most, a long let may suit you better.
How to find out for your property
The quickest way is a valuation based on real local data: what comparable short-lets nearby charge, how often they're booked, and who's booking them. We do this for landlords across the areas we cover, and if we don't think it'll work, we'll say so.
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