Self-Catering holiday let
Furnish an annexe, cabin or small property and let it to guests for short stays.
- £3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
13,221 UK companies in this field, 18% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 55900 “Other accommodation”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A self-contained annexe, shepherd's hut, cabin or small flat that guests rent for a night, weekend or week, and look after themselves.
Your first three steps
- Check with your council whether planning permission or a change of use is needed
- Price the fit-out and compare nightly rates for similar lets nearby
- Set up a listing with good photos and arrange a cleaner for changeover days
Who pays
Couples, families and small groups on short breaks, plus visitors to nearby attractions, events or family.
How it makes money
A nightly or weekly rate, with higher prices in peak season and sometimes a cleaning fee. You can add extras like welcome hampers.
Skills that help
- Hosting and customer service
- Organising changeovers and cleaning
- Basic online marketing and photography
Watch out for
- Planning permission and any local short-term let rules or registration schemes, which differ across the UK nations
- Specialist holiday let insurance, as standard home insurance may not cover guests
- Gas, electrical and fire safety checks; check what applies to your property
- Business rates or council tax treatment of the property, check with your council
- Quiet periods in winter, so plan your cash flow
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: self-catering holiday let
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to set up a self-catering holiday let?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the property, how much furnishing and fitting out it needs, and the safety checks and insurance required.
How much could a holiday let bring in each month?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your prices, location and how often it is booked. Plan your cash flow for quiet winter periods.
What rules should I check before starting a holiday let?
Check planning permission and any short-term let rules or registration schemes, which differ across the UK nations. Also check specialist holiday let insurance, gas, electrical and fire safety requirements, and business rates or council tax treatment with your council.
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Photo: tianya1223 on Pixabay