Full-time B&B or small guesthouse

Holidaymakers, couples on short breaks, walkers, business travellers and guests attending local events or weddings.

Nightly room rates including breakfast, sometimes with extras such as packed lunches, evening meals or direct booking offers. Income depends heavily on location, season and occupancy.

• Hospitality and customer service
• Cooking and food hygiene
• Managing bookings and online reviews
• Budgeting and basic bookkeeping
• Property upkeep

• The startup cost range assumes you already own the property or lease one, covering deposits, refurbishment, furnishing, insurance and working capital. Buying a suitable property would cost far more, so budget for that separately
• Planning permission or a change of use may be needed, so check with your council before buying or leasing
• Fire risk assessment and fire safety measures are likely to apply, check with your local fire service guidance
• Register as a food business with your council and keep food hygiene records
• Business rates, public liability and buildings and contents cover designed for guest accommodation
• Employer's liability insurance once you hire cleaners or breakfast staff
• Heavy seasonal swings and long hours, particularly in busy periods
• Rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, for example on registration of guest accommodation

Startup costs are typically around £30,000 to £150,000, assuming you already own or lease the property. That covers deposits, refurbishment, furnishing, insurance and working capital. Buying a suitable property would cost far more, so budget separately.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on your rooms, season and occupancy. Expect heavy seasonal swings and long hours, particularly in busy periods.

Check whether planning permission or change of use is needed, fire risk assessment and fire safety measures, food business registration with your council, and guest accommodation insurance. Rules differ across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, for example on registration.