Is Short-Term Letting Becoming More Attractive?

Every few years the balance between long-term and short-term letting shifts. Right now, several forces are moving in the same direction — and together they explain why so many South West landlords are reconsidering their strategy.

Regulation is tightening on long lets

The Renters' Rights Bill removes Section 21, converts tenancies to open-ended periodic agreements, and adds new compliance obligations. Whatever your view of the reforms, the practical effect is clear: the long-let model now offers less control and more administration than it did five years ago. Our full breakdown is in our guide to the Renters' Rights Bill.

Demand for quality stays keeps growing

Bath and Bristol continue to attract visitors year-round — heritage tourism, weekend city breaks, business travel, relocations, film production and university events all feed a deep, resilient pool of demand. Guests increasingly choose whole homes over hotels, and they pay a premium for properties that are professionally presented and managed.

Yields tell their own story

A well-located two-bedroom home in Bath might achieve £1,400–£1,600 per month on a long let. The same property, professionally managed as a short-term rental with dynamic pricing, will often generate substantially more across the year — even after cleaning, platform fees and management. The gap is widest for characterful, well-presented properties in prime locations, exactly the housing stock the South West has in abundance.

Control matters more than ever

Perhaps the most underrated advantage is flexibility. A short-term rental owner can block dates for personal use, sell with vacant possession at any time, or pause operations entirely. In a market where recovering possession from a long tenancy is becoming slower and less certain, that optionality carries real value.

Short-term letting is not right for every property — location, layout and licensing all matter. But for the right home, 2026 may be the most compelling moment in years to make the switch. We are happy to show you the numbers for your specific property.