Single holiday apartment let

Holidaymakers, couples on short breaks, families and visiting workers who want a flat rather than a hotel room.

A nightly rate, often with a cleaning fee on top. Income rises and falls with the season, so prices change through the year.

• Good at hosting and replying quickly to guests
• Organised with bookings and changeovers
• Eye for making a flat comfortable and photogenic

• Whether your lease, mortgage or landlord permits short-term letting
• Planning permission or registration rules for short lets in your area, which differ across the UK nations, so check with your council
• Landlord or specialist holiday let insurance, as standard home cover may not apply
• Gas, electrical and fire safety requirements for guest accommodation
• Declaring the income to HMRC and checking how business rates or council tax apply
• Quiet periods in the off season and bad reviews affecting bookings

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how you furnish and equip the flat, photograph it and set up listings. It assumes you own the flat or rent one where the landlord agrees to short stays.

Estimates put monthly revenue typically around £800 to £3,500, depending on location, season and reviews. That is revenue, not profit. Quiet periods in the off season can affect bookings. Time starts from around 5 hours a week.

Check whether your lease, mortgage or landlord permits short-term letting, and any planning permission or registration rules with your council, as they differ across UK nations. Also check holiday let insurance, gas, electrical and fire safety, and tax and business rates.