Property voids—the unoccupied periods between tenants or guests—are a major concern for landlords and short-term rental hosts in Cambridge.
Whether you own a buy-to-let, serviced apartment, or Airbnb, keeping your property occupied year-round ensures consistent cash flow and maximum profitability.
This guide explores proven strategies to reduce void periods and maintain high occupancy rates in Cambridge’s competitive rental market.
1. Understand What Causes Voids in the Cambridge Rental Market
1.1 High Competition & Seasonal Fluctuations
✔ Peak seasons (spring & summer) attract tourists and business travelers.✔ Low seasons (winter months) see fewer bookings unless marketed strategically.✔ More landlords are switching to short-term lets, increasing competition.
✔ Tip: Adapting your rental strategy to seasonal demand helps avoid prolonged vacancies.
1.2 Inflexible Pricing & Rental Terms
✔ Overpricing compared to similar listings leads to long vacancy periods.✔ Strict lease terms (e.g., minimum 12-month contracts) deter potential tenants.✔ Not offering short-term or flexible stay options reduces demand.
✔ Tip: Flexible rental options (short-term lets, corporate stays) keep your property booked.
1.3 Lack of Direct Bookings & Multi-Platform Listings
✔ Relying only on one platform (e.g., Airbnb or Rightmove) limits visibility.✔ No direct booking system means lost revenue due to platform fees.
✔ Tip: Expanding to multiple platforms & securing direct bookings increases occupancy.
2. Maximize Occupancy with a Multi-Channel Listing Strategy
2.1 List on Multiple Short-Term Rental Platforms
🚀 Don’t rely solely on Airbnb—expand to:✔ Booking.com (for tourists & business travelers).✔ Vrbo (for family & group stays).✔ Google Vacation Rentals (to increase direct traffic).
✔ Tip: Multi-platform listings increase exposure & reduce reliance on Airbnb’s algorithm.
2.2 Offer Direct Bookings to Reduce Void Periods
💰 Avoid platform commission fees (up to 15%) by securing repeat guests & corporate clients directly.
✔ Promote direct bookings via:
A Google My Business page for visibility.
LinkedIn marketing targeting corporate guests.
Referral incentives for repeat visitors.
✔ Tip: A direct booking website reduces reliance on third-party platforms & attracts long-term clients.
2.3 Advertise on Corporate Housing & Relocation Platforms
🏢 Cambridge attracts business professionals, NHS staff, and relocating academics.
✔ List on:
AltoVita (corporate housing platform).
Blueground (long-stay professionals).
Rightmove & Zoopla (for long-term lets).
✔ Tip: Corporate lets provide higher occupancy stability, especially in off-peak seasons.
3. Adjust Rental Terms & Pricing for Higher Demand
3.1 Implement Dynamic Pricing to Fill Gaps
✔ Short-term rentals: Use AI-based pricing tools (PriceLabs, Beyond Pricing) to adjust rates.✔ Long-term lets: Offer seasonal discounts to attract tenants faster.
✔ Tip: A competitive pricing strategy ensures fewer vacant days and maximized revenue.
3.2 Offer Flexible Stay Options
📆 Combine short-term, mid-term, and long-term stays to reduce voids.
✔ Attract different markets:
1-7 days: Tourists & weekend guests.
1-6 weeks: Business travelers & relocations.
3+ months: Corporate lets & academic stays.
✔ Tip: Offering different stay durations attracts a wider range of tenants year-round.
3.3 Incentivize Early Renewals & Long-Term Stays
✔ For long-term rentals: Offer early renewal incentives to prevent gaps between tenancies.✔ For short-term rentals: Provide discounts for guests extending their stay.
✔ Tip: Encouraging repeat bookings & early renewals reduces void periods.
4. Optimize Your Property for High Occupancy
4.1 Upgrade Amenities to Attract More Guests & Tenants
✔ High-speed WiFi & dedicated workspaces attract corporate guests & remote workers.✔ Smart TVs, keyless entry, and self-check-in options improve guest experience.✔ Premium bedding, toiletries & kitchen essentials create a 5-star experience.
✔ Tip: Luxury amenities allow you to charge higher rates and attract better-quality tenants.
4.2 Keep Your Property Well-Maintained & Move-In Ready
✔ Regular deep cleaning & maintenance inspections prevent last-minute repairs delaying occupancy.✔ Fully furnished properties with modern décor rent 30% faster than unfurnished spaces.
✔ Tip: Pre-scheduled maintenance checks ensure the property is always guest-ready.
4.3 Use Professional Airbnb Management Services
✔ Management companies handle:
Pricing & listing optimization.
Guest communication & check-ins.
Cleaning, maintenance & turnover logistics.
✔ Tip: Professionally managed properties have 20-30% higher occupancy rates than self-managed ones.
5. Target Year-Round Guest Markets in Cambridge
5.1 Cater to Business Travelers & Remote Workers
✔ Offer corporate-friendly features:
Fast WiFi & ergonomic workspaces.
Flexible check-in/check-out times.
Discounts for extended stays.
✔ Tip: Listing on corporate travel platforms increases year-round occupancy.
5.2 Market to NHS & University Staff
🏥 Cambridge has a steady influx of NHS workers, university researchers, and visiting professors.
✔ Offer:
Long-stay discounts for healthcare staff.
Easy booking options for university guests.
✔ Tip: Partnering with Addenbrooke’s Hospital & Cambridge University departments secures repeat long-term bookings.
5.3 Capitalize on Cambridge’s Events & Conferences
✔ Adjust listing details to attract guests attending:
University graduations & open days.
Tech & science conferences.
Corporate training programs.
✔ Tip: Updating listings seasonally ensures higher visibility during peak booking periods.
6. How Cambridge Stays Helps Landlords Reduce Void Periods
✔ Multi-platform listing strategy – Airbnb, Booking.com, Rightmove & corporate housing sites.✔ Dynamic pricing optimization – Adjusting rates to attract bookings while maximizing profit.✔ Direct booking & corporate partnerships – Reducing reliance on OTAs & securing repeat guests.✔ Professional guest management & maintenance – Ensuring properties are always guest-ready.
How Cambridge Stays Helped a Landlord Maintain 95% Occupancy
Property: 1-bed serviced apartment near Cambridge Station.Challenge: Frequent void periods due to reliance on Airbnb.Solution: Listed on multiple platforms, secured corporate lets & optimized pricing.Result: Increased occupancy from 70% to 95% year-round.
📈 Reducing void periods requires a mix of:✔ Smart pricing✔ Multi-platform visibility✔ Flexible rental options
🏡 Targeting corporate guests, NHS professionals, and long-term stays ensures year-round bookings.
📞 Want to keep your Cambridge property fully booked?🔹 Contact Cambridge Stays today for expert property management and void reduction strategies!
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