Short-let is more profitable than long-let. That's the marketing line, and it isn't wrong. But it isn't the whole truth either.

In our experience managing properties across Central London, the right answer depends on the property, the area, the landlord, and what you want from your investment. Here's the honest version of the comparison.

The financial picture in 2026

Let's start with the headline numbers. Across our managed Central London portfolio, short-let net income consistently runs materially above the equivalent long-let figure. The exact multiple depends heavily on the area, the bedroom count and how actively the listing is operated.

Generic per-bedroom / per-postcode ranges rarely apply to a specific property. Nightly rates, off-peak fall-off and net monthly income vary heavily by street, finish, building type and how actively the listing is operated. Request a free valuation and we will come back within one business day with a tailored figure for your property.

When long-let still wins

Long-let beats short-let in a few specific situations that landlords often underweight.

If you want zero involvement and zero variance, an AST is genuinely simpler. The same tenant pays the same amount every month for a year or longer. You sign once and forget about it.

If your property is in an area with weak tourist or corporate demand. Outer zones, suburban boroughs, areas with very few transport links. Short-let returns drop sharply and the long-let multiple often disappears.

If your mortgage explicitly prohibits short-letting (some BTLs do), the conversation ends before it begins. Always check your mortgage terms first; the alternative is guaranteed rent, which most lenders are comfortable with.

When short-let wins

Short-let is the clear winner for properties in high-demand Central London postcodes. W1, W8, SW1, SW3, W11 and the prime parts of SW7 all consistently produce strong short-let multiples.

If you can absorb monthly variance between peak and quieter months. Short-let delivers materially more income over a year. Most landlords adapt to the variance once they see the annual total.

Short-let also wins if you want to use the property yourself occasionally. You retain calendar control and can block dates instantly through the owner dashboard.

The hybrid option: short-let + mid-term

London's 90-day rule caps short-stay nights on Airbnb at 90 per calendar year. The professional move is to combine short stays (up to the cap) with mid-term lets (90+ nights per stay) for the rest of the year.

A 90-night mid-term let to a corporate guest pays slightly less per night than a true short-stay but more than an AST. And it's fully compliant year-round. We operate this model across most of our Canary Wharf and Westminster portfolios.

How to decide for your property

Three honest questions get most landlords to the right answer.

  1. 01How much does monthly variance bother you? If month-to-month income swings would stress you, guaranteed rent gives you the income certainty of an AST without the void risk.
  2. 02Do you ever want to use the property yourself? If yes, short-let is the only model that keeps that option open.
  3. 03Is this one property or part of a portfolio? Single premium properties almost always do better on short-let. Multi-unit blocks often work better on guaranteed rent.

The third option most landlords overlook

Guaranteed rent sits in between short-let and long-let. You get fixed monthly income (like a long-let) but at full market value, with no voids and no management. We sub-let on the short-let side; that variance is our problem, not yours.

It's not for everyone. If you want maximum upside and can stomach variance, short-let beats it. But if you want predictability without the AST risks under the Renters Rights Act, it's worth a serious look.

Have a question about your property? Speak to the Taj Cribs team. We manage properties across the whole of Central London and offer free valuations with no obligation.