Do you have an empty property in Cambridge that’s not generating income? Instead of leaving it vacant or settling for a traditional long-term rental, transforming it into a short-term rental (Airbnb, serviced accommodation) can dramatically boost your returns.
Short-term rentals provide:✅ Higher earnings than long-term lets.✅ Flexibility to use the property whenever needed.✅ Less risk of tenant disputes or evictions.
This step-by-step guide will show you how to convert your property into a high-yield Airbnb rental while ensuring compliance, profitability, and minimal hassle.
1. Why Short-Term Rentals Are More Profitable Than Traditional Lettings
1.1 Higher Earnings & Dynamic Pricing
Short-term rentals earn 50-100% more than traditional rentals in Cambridge. With demand from tourists, business travelers, and academics, landlords can charge premium rates.
Example: Potential Earnings Comparison
Rental Type | Monthly Income |
Long-Term Let (£1,500/month) | £1,500 |
Short-Term Let (£150/night x 20 nights) | £3,000 |
📈 Short-term lets can DOUBLE rental income with the right strategy!
1.2 Flexibility & Control Over Your Property
Unlike long-term rentals, short-term lets allow:✔ Personal use – Block off dates when needed.✔ Higher seasonal pricing – Increase rates during graduations, conferences, and business events.✔ No long-term tenant contracts – Avoid eviction risks and tenancy disputes.
✔ Pro Tip: A professional Airbnb management company can optimize pricing and maintain high occupancy effortlessly.
2. Preparing Your Property for Short-Term Rentals
2.1 Choose the Right Property Type for Airbnb Success
The best-performing short-term rental properties in Cambridge include:
🏙 City-centre apartments – Ideal for business travelers & tourists.🏥 Houses near Addenbrooke’s Hospital & Bio Campus – Perfect for NHS staff & corporate stays.👨👩👦 Family-friendly homes – Attracting vacationers & relocating professionals.
2.2 Essential Renovations & Upgrades
🔹 High-speed WiFi & Smart TV – A must for business travelers.🔹 Modern & stylish furniture – Clean, minimalist designs attract bookings.🔹 Fully equipped kitchen – Self-catering is a major guest selling point.🔹 Luxury bedding & hotel-style toiletries – Higher quality = better reviews.
✔ Pro Tip: Small investments like better lighting, keyless entry, and a premium coffee machine can increase your nightly rate by 20-30%.
3. Furnishing & Staging for Airbnb Appeal
🏡 Use neutral, modern décor to appeal to a wide audience.📚 Add local touches (Cambridge guidebooks, welcome notes).💻 Include a workspace area for business travelers.
✔ Pro Tip: Listings with Instagram-worthy interiors get more bookings and higher rates.
4. Setting Up for Seamless Short-Term Hosting
4.1 Install Smart Locks & Self-Check-In Options
✔ Keyless entry improves security & convenience.✔ Reduces the need for in-person key handovers.
4.2 Automate Cleaning & Maintenance
✔ Schedule professional cleaning between stays.✔ Use smart noise monitors (e.g., Minut) to prevent disturbances.
4.3 Invest in a Direct Booking Website & Multiple Platforms
✔ List on Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and Google Vacation Rentals.✔ Create a direct booking website to avoid platform fees.
📉 Direct bookings save you up to 15% in Airbnb commission fees!
5. Understanding Legal & Tax Requirements in Cambridge
5.1 Council Tax vs. Business Rates
🏠 If your property is let for 140+ days per year, you may qualify for business rates relief instead of council tax.🏡 Short-term lets may not require council tax if classified as a Furnished Holiday Let (FHL).
5.2 Tax Benefits of Running a Serviced Accommodation
✅ FHL status offers tax advantages, including:✔ Mortgage interest tax relief.✔ Capital allowances on furniture & renovations.✔ Lower capital gains tax when selling.
✔ Pro Tip: Speak with a specialist accountant to maximize tax savings on short-term lets.
5.3 Health & Safety Compliance
✔ Smoke alarms, CO detectors, & fire extinguishers are required.✔ Gas & electrical safety certificates must be up to date.✔ Check Cambridge City Council’s short-term rental policies.
✔ Pro Tip: A property management service ensures 100% compliance and hassle-free hosting.
6. Marketing & Pricing Strategies for Maximum Occupancy
6.1 Use Dynamic Pricing to Maximize Revenue
📊 Adjust nightly rates based on demand, season, and local events.📈 Example: Charge £250 per night during graduation weekends, but £120 in low season.
6.2 Optimize Your Airbnb Listing for Higher Visibility
🔹 Keyword-rich titles (e.g., “Luxury Serviced Apartment in Cambridge | Fast WiFi & Parking”).🔹 Professional photography to highlight the best features.🔹 Encourage reviews to boost search rankings.
📈 Listings with 20+ 5-star reviews receive 40% more bookings on Airbnb!
6.3 Target Business & Long-Stay Guests
📆 Offer weekly & monthly discounts for corporate stays.👩💻 Market to tech professionals, NHS workers, and visiting academics.
✔ Pro Tip: Business travelers prefer direct booking options with invoice-friendly payments.
7. Why Work with a Professional Airbnb Management Company?
Managing a short-term rental can be time-consuming. A professional Airbnb management company ensures:
✅ 100% hands-free hosting – Cleaning, maintenance, & guest communication handled for you.✅ Higher occupancy rates – Airbnb Superhost strategies maximize bookings.✅ Legal & tax compliance – Avoid mistakes that could result in fines or lost revenue.
How Cambridge Stays Helped a Landlord Earn £40,000 in 12 Months
❖ Challenge: A landlord with an empty 2-bed city-centre flat struggled to find long-term tenants.❖ Solution: Cambridge Stays converted it into a high-yield short-term rental, handling pricing, guest management, and marketing.❖ Result: The landlord earned £3,500/month (compared to £1,800 on a long-term rental).
Turning an empty Cambridge property into a short-term rental is one of the best ways to maximize income.
With expert setup, legal compliance, and strategic pricing, landlords can achieve higher occupancy and premium rates.
📞 Want to convert your property into a high-yield short-term rental?🔹 Contact Cambridge Stays today for expert Airbnb management and optimization!
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