The Rise of Short Lets: How Flexible Living Is Reshaping Prime London

Five years ago, the typical short let tenant in prime London was a corporate executive relocating from New York or Singapore. Today, the picture is considerably broader. Families bridging between homes, buyers who have sold and are in no rush to commit, professionals on short-term London contracts – the demand base has never been more diverse.

This diversification has made short lets increasingly attractive for landlords. The headline yield tends to be higher than long lets across comparable properties, and the greater control over availability appeals to owners who travel extensively or want flexibility to use the property themselves.

Furnished to a high standard is non-negotiable. Tenants in this segment expect hotel-quality bedding, professional-grade kitchen equipment and reliable, fast broadband. Properties that have been properly styled and maintained hold their rental values far better than those that have not been refreshed in several years.

Regulation is the area landlords most often raise with us. The 90-night rule applies to some properties, but many short lets fall outside its scope. Our team advises on a case-by-case basis to ensure full compliance alongside maximising returns.

If you would like to understand whether your property is suited to the short let market, please get in touch with our Prime team.