Many London landlords start by running their own Airbnb. Some keep doing it happily; others find it takes far more time than they expected. This guide compares short-let management with managing it yourself, so you can decide which suits your property and your week.
What Running a London Short Let Involves
Whoever manages the property, the same jobs need doing for every stay:
- Writing and updating listings on Airbnb, Booking.com and other platforms
- Setting nightly prices and adjusting them for demand, seasons and events
- Answering guest messages before, during and after each stay, often late at night
- Vetting guests and managing check-in and key handover
- Booking cleaners and linen, and checking the property between guests
- Fixing problems quickly, from a broken boiler to a lost key
- Counting nights against London’s 90-night rule
- Keeping records for tax, insurance and safety certificates
Managing It Yourself
Advantages
- You keep the full income, with no management fee
- Complete control over pricing, house rules and who stays
- A good option if you live nearby and have flexible time
Drawbacks
- It is close to a part-time job, and guests expect quick replies at any hour
- Pricing well across a whole year takes time and data
- Finding reliable cleaners and tradespeople in London can be hard
- Holidays and illness are harder to cover
- Mistakes with the 90-night limit or safety rules can be costly
Using a Short-Let Management Company
Advantages
- Guests, cleaning, pricing and maintenance are handled for you
- Dynamic pricing tools and experience of the London market
- Established cleaning and maintenance teams
- A plan for the 90-night rule, for example mixing short lets with longer serviced accommodation stays
- Regular reporting, so you can see how the property performs
Drawbacks
- You pay a management fee, usually a percentage of income
- Less day-to-day control, so choosing the right manager matters
To see how fees are typically structured, read our guide to property management fees in London.
Which Is Right for You?
Managing it yourself tends to suit landlords who live close to the property, enjoy hosting and have time most days. Professional short-let management tends to suit landlords who work full time, live outside London, own more than one property, or simply want the income without the day-to-day work.
A useful test is to put a value on your own time. Count the hours you would spend each month on messages, cleaning, pricing and problems, and compare that with the fee. A good manager should also help the property earn more through better pricing and fewer empty nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I start on my own and switch to a manager later?
Yes. A manager can take over an existing listing, and your reviews and booking history are usually worth keeping.
Can a manager run my property only part of the year?
That depends on the manager. Ask about minimum terms and notice periods before you sign.
Do I still need to follow the 90-night rule with a manager?
Yes. The rule applies to the property, not the person running it. A good manager tracks the nights for you and plans around the limit.
Get a Free Property Assessment
Not sure which route suits your property? Book a free, no-obligation consultation, call +44 7572 190291 or message us on WhatsApp. We will give you a realistic income projection and an honest view on whether management makes sense for you. You can also read more about our Airbnb management in London.