Key Takeaways:

• Short-term rentals will increase in demand as London anticipates a high surge in holiday travellers.
• Expect a mix of families, friends and couples as holiday guests. Make your property appealing to these diverse groups to maximise bookings.
• Prepare short-term rentals early to attract more bookings. Optimise listings, schedule property enhancements and use dynamic pricing strategies.
• Highlight the property’s festive appeal, holiday amenities and local events to stand out during the holiday peak season.
• Partner with a property management company to elevate guest experience while maximising revenue.

London Short-Term Rentals and the Holiday Rush

Did you know: 

London is the most popular destination in the UK, with more than 20 million inbound visitors in 2024.

London short-term rentals are in for a busy season in the next few months. With the holidays about to start, is your property ready to receive the influx of travellers in the city?

The reports are consistent in putting London as a top destination for holiday travellers. According to statistics, 10.4 million international travellers visited London from January to June 2024. 49.9% of international visitors came specifically for a holiday.

What does this mean?

With the Christmas season coming in a few months, there will be an increase in demand for short-term rentals. It’s a golden opportunity for hosts like you to boost the revenue of your rental property before the year ends.

The London Holiday Rush in 2025

Before you start prepping your shortlet for the holiday season, it helps to understand why people love to visit London. It’ll give you clues on how to position your property so it’s more appealing for guests looking for short-term accommodations.

First, there’s still a hunger to travel after the pandemic. People have an appetite to explore, and London continues to be a prime choice for a holiday destination. The city attracts travellers because of its iconic landmarks, historical appeal and cultural scene.

Second, more UK residents are opting for a staycation instead of going abroad. With London offering a diverse range of activities and events, the city becomes a clear choice among locals.

Third, there’s always something happening in London. Major festivals, seasonal shows and cultural events draw visitors from all over the world. Various activities accompany the holiday celebrations, and people seeking to experience them increase the demand for accommodations in the city.

Now that you know what makes London appealing to travellers, it’s time to get to see the profile of your potential guests. Who are the people most likely to book a stay in your property?

The holiday season brings family and friends together for a celebration. This means more families and groups of friends will be booking a stay in multi-bedroom properties. They would prefer to stay in homes with a functional kitchen and comfortable lounge areas.

Couples are also among the list of holiday visitors. They would prefer to explore and experience London, so local events and tourist hotspots would influence their choice of accommodations.

With this information, how can short-term rentals prepare for the holiday rush in London?

3 Tips to Prepare Your Shortlet for the Holiday Rush

Preparing your shortlet for the holiday rush will take time. If you want to stay ahead of your competition and secure those bookings, you need to start preparing months before the holidays.

There are three things you can do at this moment to position your property to be profitable towards the end of the year.

Optimise listing and marketing efforts

Start with your listing. Ideally, this should have been done in the middle of the year. But try to update your property listing as early as possible, as some guests book their accommodations months before the holidays. Among the things you can do are the following:

• Add festive photos. Take new pictures of the property and focus on festive decorations. These include the fireplace, living room, coffee table, etc. Upload these festive photos closer to the holidays to attract guests.
• Mention holiday amenities. Update the property description to include holiday-specific amenities. Highlight the well-equipped kitchen where guests can cook their festive meals, or the proximity to holiday events in London.
• Review house rules. Check the house rules and make sure it’s clear about parties and excessive noise. While you want your guests to enjoy their holiday, make sure it won’t lead to issues with the neighbours or the local community.

Property maintenance and upgrades

As you get closer to the holidays, it’s time to check the property’s condition. Schedule a professional check to ensure the property is well-maintained and ready to accommodate back-to-back bookings.

Here are suggestions for the upkeep of your property.

• Deep clean. Schedule a thorough deep clean of the property. It will keep the property feeling fresh for the next guest. You can also do a decluttering if there’s a need.
• Check the heating system. While it doesn’t always snow in London, it can get chilly. Make sure guests are warm and comfortable during their stay. Have the system serviced months before the holidays so you have enough time for repairs and upgrades if needed.
• Upgrade connectivity. Having a fast and reliable WiFi is a non-negotiable, no matter what time of the year. Check if there’s a need for a speed upgrade so your guests will have a faster connection during their stay.
• Reinforce safety. Double-check the fire safety measures, including the fire doors, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and carbon monoxide detectors. The holidays usually come with a lot of cooking. Make sure guests are 100% safe.

Housekeeping tip: City Relay recommends a deep clean for short-term rentals every 4 to 6 months.

Strategic pricing and availability

Just as the holiday season is about to start, it’s time to check your pricing strategy and the property’s availability. Here are things you need to consider before the holiday rush.

• Use dynamic pricing. Use a tool to ensure you’re maximising your rental income potential while staying competitive. Alternatively, you can use property management companies like City Relay, which employ dynamic pricing strategies to maximise profit. Don’t set a flat rate but adjust your rental fee based on demand, competitor rates and local events.
• Set minimum stays. Setting a minimum stay requirement during the peak holidays will maximise high-value bookings. It will also reduce turnover costs and boost your profit margin.
• Block out dates. If you need to use your property during the holidays, make sure you block off the date ahead of time. This will ensure you can use the property yourself to eliminate the need for cancellations.

Elevate the Holiday Experience Through Professional Management

Using a strategic approach to prepare your property for the holiday rush will help you minimise costs while maximising income potential. This can be incredibly demanding and would require expertise to pull off.

Fortunately, property management companies like City Relay have the experience, expertise, and resources to navigate the complexities that come with peak-season accommodations.

City Relay offer end-to-end solutions designed to exceed revenue and guest expectations. By working with a professional property management company, you’ll benefit from:

• Pricing and yield management. We combine advanced algorithms and years of pricing history with real-time market data to set dynamic pricing strategies. This ensures your property is optimally priced to have the highest nightly rates during the holiday peak season.
• Professional marketing. We are experienced in creating listings and can provide professional photography to market your property across multiple booking platforms. This will give short-term rentals maximum visibility in both international and domestic markets.
• In-house housekeeping and maintenance. We have a well-trained team ensuring properties are impeccably clean and ready for the next guest booking. The fact that it’s in-house means any issue can be dealt with promptly.
• Complete operations. We handle all short-term letting operations. This includes initial inquiries, guest communications, check-ins and check-outs, repairs and maintenance, etc. 
• Compliance. We’ll help keep your property completely compliant with local rules and regulations. We’ll help you monitor the changing legalities of operating short-term rentals so your investment will remain secure and profitable.
• Advanced proptech. We use an innovative proprietary platform to stay on top of all short-term letting operations to ensure an elevated guest experience and a well-maintained property.

FAQs: London Short-Term Rentals

When should I start preparing my shortlet for the holiday season?

Start preparing for the holiday rush months before it happens. There are tasks like optimising your listing that should be done in the middle of the year. This ensures your property can capture early bookings.

What amenities should I focus on during the holidays?

Highlight reliable heating, fast Wi-Fi and a well-equipped kitchen if you want to promote your property for the holidays. You can also mention any proximity to public transport or famous attractions to attract guest bookings.

Does the 90-day rule affect holiday rentals in London?

Yes, the 90-day rule still applies to short-term rentals during the holidays. City Relay ensures your property can work around these limits without compromising rental revenue and booking schedules.

Make This Holiday Season The Most Profitable For You

The holiday season opens several opportunities to boost your rental income potential. By taking steps early, short-term rentals can enhance property appeal and implement innovative pricing strategies to stand out in the market.

Although it can be pretty competitive during the holiday season, you can maximise your earnings by partnering with City Relay. We’ll use our expertise, operational experience and proven strategies so you can enjoy the festive cheer while enjoying a boost in income.

If you’re ready for the holidays, let’s unlock your property’s full potential. Get a free rental estimate now.