For London landlords deciding how to let a property, the choice often comes down to a standard long-term tenancy or a short-term/Airbnb-style let. Both are legitimate strategies — the right one depends on the property and what the landlord wants from it.
Traditional (Long-Term) Tenancy
- Stable, predictable monthly rent
- Lower day-to-day involvement — one tenant, one relationship
- Fewer regulatory restrictions than short-letting in London
- Less flexibility if the landlord wants to use the property themselves occasionally
Short-Term / Airbnb-Style Letting
- Generally higher gross income potential than an equivalent long-term rent, particularly for well-located properties
- Significantly more operational work: guest management, cleaning between every stay, dynamic pricing
- Subject to specific regulation in London — currently a 90-night annual cap on whole-property short lets without planning permission (see our regulations guide)
- Income varies with demand and seasonality, rather than being fixed
Which Is More Profitable?
Short-term letting can generate higher income than long-term letting for the right property in the right location — but that gap narrows once cleaning, management time, void periods and compliance are accounted for. This is exactly the calculation a management service is built to optimise, since the operational cost of doing it well is spread across many properties rather than falling entirely on one landlord.
Making the Decision
The honest answer depends on your specific property. Get a free income projection comparing what your property could realistically earn as a managed short let, with no obligation.