Short term lets in London

bargainhunter_3-2

I am looking for a way to rent out my place in London whilst I'm away with work - I'm often away for a week or two at a time and sometimes it's over a month. I've let it to acquaintances who are in London on business and prefer it to staying in a hotel, but I'd like to be able to let it to others too. Does anyone know if there is a website or agent that deals in short term lets? All that I've spoken to think three to six months is short term!

bargainhunter_3-2

There doesn't seem to be anything about online or offline for short-term lets so I'm thinking of setting up my own website to advertise them.
Are any other MSEers interested in renting spare rooms out on a short term basis (either one or two nights at a time like a B&B) or on a week-by-week basis?
Also, would anyone want to stay in someone else's place instead of a hotel if the prices were right?
Thanks for any input you can give.

lostinrates

There are agents who deal in shorter trm lets, but they are usually corporate lets I think, very expensive, top end serviced apartments, fully furnished and often with a daily coming in, but not with the landlords stuff in cupboards etc.

If its a flat..you don't say...then you might have further complications, it might not be accptable in the terms of your lease.

theGrinch

I have dealt in short lets in london for a number of years.

there are a range of short let outlets in london including various agencies. short lets are driven by location. some areas have high demand, such as earls court and W2 while the further you move out the lower the demand. Its very corporate and tourist driven. the best places tend get repeat business year after year.

short lets tend to attract rents (on average) about 50% higher than long lets, but voids are higher, costs and admin burdens greater. Usually, the standard of property needs to be "hotel like" in quality to attract the right kind of tenant.

if you are going away at short notice then short lets may be difficult.

as a start, gumtree is a good place to start advertising.

whats the location? some locations will be almost impossible to do any meaningful short lets.

also you need to consider any mortgage, council tax and insurance implications.