Owner guide · Updated 28 October 2026
Airbnb or long let: which earns more?
On our estimates, a short let typically earns around 75% more than a long let in Cardiff, Swansea and Bristol, even after a management fee. A 2-bed Cardiff flat comes out at £1,870 to £2,090 a month after our fee, against about £1,130 for an average long let on Rightmove. Short lets cost more to run, though, so compare like with like.
Estimated monthly income: short let vs long let
| Home | Short let | Long let |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiff, 2-bed | £1,870–£2,090 | £1,130 |
| Cardiff, 3-bed | £2,470–£2,770 | £1,500 |
| Rest of South Wales, 2-bed | £1,740–£1,950 | £1,050 |
| Rest of South Wales, 3-bed | £2,080–£2,330 | £1,260 |
| Bristol, 2-bed | £2,520–£2,830 | £1,530 |
| Bristol, 3-bed | £3,250–£3,640 | £1,970 |
These are guides, not promises. Your income depends on location, size, quality, season and local supply. Get an estimate for your own postcode.
What the numbers leave out
The table compares income, not profit. Short lets carry costs that long lets usually pass to the tenant.
- Bills. On a short let, the owner usually pays the utilities, broadband and insurance. On a long let, the tenant usually pays the utilities and council tax.
- Furnishing and wear. A short let needs furniture, linen, towels and amenities, and more frequent refreshes.
- Local tax. In Wales, a short let pays business rates only if it is let for at least 182 days a year; otherwise it is likely to pay council tax, with a possible premium. Read our guide to the Welsh rules.
- Registration and levy. Every short let in Wales must be registered by 31 March 2027, and Cardiff charges a visitor levy on new bookings for stays from 1 April 2027.
- Permissions. Check that your mortgage, lease and insurance allow short lets before you start.
Short let: what you gain and give up
- Higher potential income, with prices that rise when demand does.
- Flexibility: block out dates for your own use, and with us, take your property back with 60 days' notice.
- Guests are vetted and pay in full before arrival, and you see the property's condition after every stay.
- Income varies with the season, and the property needs running every day: guests, cleaning, linen and maintenance. That is the work a manager takes on.
Long let: what you gain and give up
- A steady, predictable rent with less day-to-day work.
- The rent is fixed whatever the demand, and your property is usually tied up for six to twelve months or more.
- You see the property's condition mainly at move-out.
- Void periods, arrears and problem tenants are your risk.
Which suits you?
A short let tends to suit a furnished home in a place guests want to visit, for an owner who wants the higher income and flexibility. A long let tends to suit an owner who values a fixed rent above everything else, or whose mortgage or lease rules out short lets.
Own an HMO? There is a third option: guaranteed rent, a fixed monthly rent for three to five years with no voids and 0% fees.
If we do not think your home will beat a long let, we will tell you straight. This guide is general information, not financial advice.
Free estimate
What could your property earn on Airbnb?
Enter your postcode and the number of bedrooms. We will show you an estimated monthly income after our fee, and how it compares with a long let in your area.
Airbnb vs long let: questions
Is Airbnb more profitable than a long let?
Often, but not always. On our estimates, a 2-bed Cardiff flat earns £1,870 to £2,090 a month as a short let after our 15% fee, against about £1,130 as an average long let on Rightmove, after a 10% letting fee. Short lets cost more to run, so compare after bills, furnishing and local tax.
Do I need permission to put my property on Airbnb?
Check that your mortgage lender, your lease and your insurer allow short lets. In Wales, you must also register with the Welsh Revenue Authority by 31 March 2027 if you take bookings of 31 nights or fewer.
Can I switch from a long let to Airbnb?
Yes, once the current tenancy has ended and you have the permissions you need. We handle the set-up from start to finish, including styling, photography, your listing and pricing. Book a free call to talk it through.
Next step
Let's talk about your property.
A free, no-obligation call. We will tell you honestly whether short stays or a long let will earn you more.
Our long-let promise: if your first 12 months earn less than a typical long let, we pay you the difference, up to two months of our fees. Conditions apply.