Short-stay let of an annexe or spare home

Holidaymakers, weekend visitors, and people visiting family or events nearby.

Nightly rates with a cleaning fee, booked through platforms or directly. Bookings can be switched off whenever you need the space.

• Friendly and welcoming
• Tidy and attentive to detail
• Comfortable managing an online listing

• Planning rules and any local licence or registration scheme, including Scotland's short-term let licence, need checking with your council
• Your home insurance and mortgage may not cover paying guests, so tell your providers
• Fire, gas and electrical safety standards apply to guest accommodation, check what is required
• Sharing a property means privacy and noise to think about, with neighbours too
• Tax and business rates treatment can differ, so check with HMRC or an accountant

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how the space is furnished and equipped. These are estimates, so check what safety standards your guest accommodation must meet before you budget.

Check planning rules and any local licence or registration scheme with your council, including Scotland's short-term let licence. Also tell your home insurance and mortgage providers about paying guests, and check fire, gas and electrical safety standards.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £1,800, depending on the space, location and how often you let it around your own use. Tax and business rates treatment can differ, so check with HMRC or an accountant.