Short Term Lets London: 1, 2, & 6 Month Rental Options Explained

Landlords

Posted in Dec 02 , 2025

Short Term Lets London: 1, 2, & 6 Month Rental Options Explained

This guide helps landlords and renters to know everything about short-term lettings in London, along with pricing expectations.

How Many Short-Term Lets Are in London?

These stays usually fall under:

Short-term licences (1–2 months) for temporary work placement or relocation.
Medium-term lets (2–6 months) for professionals and students.
Short AST agreements (usually for 6 months) for living without a yearly contract.

Is It Legal to Offer Short-Term Lets in London?

London has a 90-day rule for holiday lets, which applies to nightly or weekly-style Airbnb accommodations. Properties in Greater London cannot be let for more than 90 days in a calendar year as short-term stays unless the landlord has planning permission.

But for 1-6 month short-term lets, the rules are totally different:

They typically follow a licence or AST agreement
They are considered residential stays, not holiday lets
The 90-day restriction does not apply
Normal landlord regulations still must be followed

Landlords must ensure:

Gas and electrical safety certificates
Deposit protection (for ASTs)
Right-to-Rent checks
Council tax arrangements
Property licensing is required in that borough

Who Uses Short-Term Lets in London?

Typical users include:

Professionals on project-based contracts
Students and interns staying for a semester
Relocating families waiting for their permanent home
People between moves, such as after selling a property
International arrivals needing accommodation while settling
Corporate travellers on short assignments

Cost for 1, 2, and 6 Month Lets in London

Prices usually vary by borough, property size, and whether the bills should be included. In general, the cost includes:

1 Month Rental London

Short stays are usually furnished and may include bills. Expect higher monthly costs due to flexibility and convenience.

2 Months Let London

Often slightly cheaper per month than 1-month stays because landlords prefer multi-month occupancy.

6 Month Rental London

This is the most common type of short-term let and usually follows a standard AST agreement. Costs become more similar to long-term rentals but with greater flexibility.

Typical factors affecting price include:

Zone 1 & 2 properties cost significantly more
Furnished and fully serviced flats cost more than basic rentals
Bills included can raise the monthly price
Demand in boroughs like Canary Wharf, Wimbledon, Clapham, and Kensington tends to stay high

Tenants should always check:

If bills are included
Whether the stay is extendable
Deposit terms
Inventory condition
Move-in fees (if any)

Benefits of Short-Term Lets for Renters

No long-term commitment
Furnished and ready to move in
Bills often included
Faster approval process than long-term tenancies
Ability to extend or shorten stay in many cases

Benefits for Landlords Offering Short-Term Lets

Higher rental yields, especially in furnished flats
Lower risk, as many tenants pay upfront for short stays
Greater control over tenancy cycles
Flexibility to use the property between stays
Ability to adjust pricing based on demand

Landlords must still comply with licensing and safety rules, and reliable estate agents like Cribs Estates can help get higher rents compared to standard long-term lets.

Best Areas in London for Short-Term Lets

Canary Wharf for financial district workers
Central London for tourists, corporate travellers
Stratford for tech and business hub
Wimbledon, Morden, and Clapham are popular with families and commuters
Hammersmith & Fulham has excellent transport links
Kensington & Chelsea for premium short-term clients

How Cribs Estates Helps

Cribs Estates specialises in short-term lets across London, offering flexible rental options for 1, 2, and 6-month stays. We support both tenants and landlords by:

Providing fully vetted short-term and medium-term rental properties
Managing the legal requirements and paperwork
Matching landlords with reliable tenants quickly
Ensuring smooth move-in and move-out processes
Offering furnished and part-furnished options

Whether you are searching for a comfortable short stay or looking to let your property on a flexible basis, Cribs Estates ensures a seamless, compliant, and stress-free experience.

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