Couldn't cover the mortgage as a long let — now an Airbnb Superhost.
A large 5-bed property that just didn't fit the standard long-let market. We pivoted it to fully-managed serviced accommodation across Airbnb and Booking.com, set up the systems, and turned it into a Superhost-rated property running at 75% occupancy with 20% more income than the long-let target — even after fees.
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A great property with a problem
The owner had a beautiful but unusually large 5-bedroom house. The size that made it special also made it hard to let — most long-let tenants weren't looking for that kind of property at the kind of price needed to cover the mortgage. He was facing void months and serious cashflow pressure.
The pivot — serviced accommodation
We approached him with a different angle: stop trying to force this property into the long-let mould. The size, location and layout were perfect for short-let serviced accommodation. We proposed running it on Airbnb and Booking.com under our full management, with the right insurance protections in place.
Risk de-risked from day one
We walked him through the cover: Airbnb's host damage protection covers most damage out of the box, and we recommended adding contents insurance on top — meaning practically zero exposure on damage or breakage. Separate locks were fitted to each room, and our vetted booking process screens guests before arrival.
Our short-let operating system
Once live, our team handled everything: dynamic pricing across both platforms, guest communication around the clock, scheduled cleans between every stay, linen and consumables management, key handover, and ongoing maintenance. The owner didn't have to lift a finger from week one.
Superhost status — and 20% more income
The property hit Superhost status quickly and now runs at a 75% average occupancy across the year. After our management fee, the owner is taking home 20% more than the long-let target he was originally chasing — and with none of the risk of non-payment, eviction proceedings or end-of-tenancy damage disputes.
Higher income. Lower risk.
Zero work for the landlord.
Short let done properly isn't more hassle — it's less. We run the entire operation; the owner just sees the income arrive each month.
- Airbnb & Booking.com listing setup & optimisation
- Dynamic pricing, calendar & booking management
- 24/7 guest communication & check-in
- Professional cleaning between every stay
- Linen & consumables fully managed
- Insurance & damage protection in place
"I was about to sell because I couldn't cover the mortgage. City Flats convinced me to try short letting instead — they handled everything. I'm now earning 20% more than I was hoping to get on a long let, with no tenant risk and no work."
Property struggling on the long-let market?
Some properties earn far more on Airbnb. Get a free assessment and we'll tell you whether short let could work for yours.