If you own a property in London, Manchester or York, short-let and serviced accommodation can offer a simpler, often higher-yielding alternative to a standard long-term tenancy — without the day-to-day hassle. Here's how Airbnb management works, what it covers, and what your property could realistically earn.
Why landlords are moving to short-let
With tenancy regulation tightening across the UK, more landlords are looking at serviced accommodation. A well-run short-let keeps your property flexible and in your control, and a professionally managed home can outperform a standard long-term tenancy even after management fees. You also avoid the classic headaches — chasing rent, void periods, and late-night maintenance calls.
The demand is real: the UK short-let sector recorded tens of millions of guest nights last year, driven by tourists, relocations and business travellers who increasingly prefer a home-from-home over a hotel.
The London 90-night rule (and how it's handled)
In Greater London, letting a property as nightly short-stay accommodation is capped at 90 nights per calendar year without planning permission. This puts off some owners — but it's easily managed. A good operator blends short stays with longer medium-term and corporate bookings, keeping occupancy and income high while staying fully compliant. Outside London, in cities like Manchester and York, the rules differ and there's strong year-round demand.
What full Airbnb management actually covers
Full management should mean you do nothing. At UnityStays that includes:
- Multi-platform listings across Airbnb, Booking.com and VRBO;
- Dynamic pricing adjusted daily to capture demand;
- Guest vetting and 24/7 communication, so issues are handled before they reach you;
- Professional cleaning and linen between every stay;
- Maintenance coordination through trusted contractors;
- Damage cover and deposits on every booking; and
- Clear monthly owner statements plus compliance management.
What could your property earn?
Under our model you keep 80% of gross booking revenue with a single 20% management fee — no tiers, no hidden extras. As an illustration only, a property generating £3,200 a month in bookings would pay a £640 fee, leaving £2,560 for the owner. Actual income varies by property, location, season and occupancy, which is exactly why we prepare a tailored, no-obligation estimate before you commit to anything.
Short-let demand in London, Manchester & York
London
Constant demand from business travellers, relocations and tourists. The 90-night cap is managed with a blended booking strategy, and well-located apartments perform strongly year-round.
Manchester
A thriving events, sports and business city with major regeneration. Central apartments and homes near worksites are popular with contractors and project teams as well as weekend visitors.
York
A world-class tourist destination with year-round visitors drawn to its history and charm — ideal for characterful short stays and longer leisure breaks.
How to get started
Getting going is simple. We start with a quick call, model your expected income, agree a straightforward management agreement, then create a high-converting listing and take your property live — usually within a couple of weeks. From there we run everything and pay you monthly.
Ready to see your numbers? Get a free, no-obligation Airbnb earnings estimate for your property, or read more about our short-let management service.