Type Of Short Let
Of
GoodPropertyLondon
If you're new to the short let scene, it can be confusing to cut through all the marketing and understand what's what. Here's a simple guide in table format categorising the 3 main types of short let.
| Conventional | Serviced Apartment | Self Catering (Airbnb) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Stay Period | Weeks | Days | Days |
| Contract | Assured Periodic Tenancy (APT) post May 1, 2026 - The Tenant and the Landlord will still have to agree to a x-month tenancy if they both want a specific duration, but the agreement will automatically become a rolling month-to-month tenancy once the x months are up, unless either party gives proper notice to end it (e.g., 2 months’ notice for tenants, or longer for landlords depending on the reason). | Terms on booking Website | Terms on booking Website |
| Marketed by | Estate agents | Serviced Apartment Web Sites | Airbnb [list other Web sites] |
| Cleaning Included | No | Yes | No except by special arrangement |
| Payment | Prepayment or arrears | Prepayment | Prepayment |
| Popular with | Business and corporate travellers | Business and corporate travellers | Anybody including tourists and holidaymakers |
| Property | Whole property | Whole property | Room(s) or whole property |
| Summary | A conventional short long let is largely based on the same terms as a long let but the property is furnished with all necessary items to just walk in and starts living. With the new legislation coming into effect May 1, 2026, short long lets will require more administrative tasks to end the rental agreement. | A serviced apartment has the facilities and convenience of a hotel room but in a more residential environment. | The differentiation between serviced apartment and self catering is narrowing, although Airbnb maintains a distinctive theme of staying in homes rather than soulless accommodation and driving cultural exploration and new travelling experiences. |
