How a London Property Delivered Reliable Income While the Owner Lived Overseas
What do you do with your London property if you’re spending months at a time overseas?
Leaving a London property empty can quickly become a missed financial opportunity, but managing rental operations remotely is rarely straightforward.
L was a property owner living abroad for 6 months each year. She needed a way to secure her property and keep it well-maintained. She initially shared her house, but decided it offered limited flexibility and control over how the property was maintained while she was abroad.
Having recognised the appeal of letting a London property while living abroad, she partnered with City Relay to help transform her home into an income-generating opportunity from miles away.
Challenge:
Like many overseas landlords, L faced key challenges:
- How to stop house sharing without leaving her property vacant?
- What letting model fits her travel schedule?
- How to keep her property secure, well-maintained, and not overused?
- How to remotely manage bookings, housekeeping, maintenance, and compliance?
L had a clear goal: reliable income without the stress of managing a rental property remotely in London, while keeping it in good condition for her return.
Solution:
Rather than managing everything herself, L handed over full operational tasks to City Relay. Following a rapid onboarding before L left, City Relay:
- Activated the property quickly and ensured full compliance
- Positioned the property as a premium rental through professional staging, design, and photography
- Managed daily operations, including listing, marketing, pricing, housekeeping, maintenance, and guest communication
- Implemented flexible letting to balance occupancy with personal use
- Provided property oversight, including compliance management, maintenance, and repairs.
With a dedicated team handling everything locally, L could focus on her life abroad, reassured that her London home was actively managed, maintained, and generating rental income.
Results:
L’s partnership with City Relay delivered consistent rental income while removing the need for daily involvement:
- First booking secured within the first month, earning £4,600+ income
- Five-figure rental income within 8 weeks of joining
- £39,000+ in rental income within the first 10 months
- 88% occupancy rate over 10 months
L’s experience demonstrates how overseas property owners can turn their London homes into a secure income-generating asset, without the hassle of operational complexity.
Thinking about letting your London property while living abroad?
If you’re planning to spend time abroad and you don’t want to leave your London property empty, City Relay can help property owners:
- Keep homes consistently occupied
- Implement flexible letting strategies
- Maintain the property’s condition year-round
- Managing bookings, guests, and compliance
Find out how much your property could earn and what approach will maximise your real estate asset, whether it’s short-term and mid-term letting in London.
