Are you considering buying a holiday home, whether as an investment property or second home for your own use? With demand for UK holiday accommodation surging, purchasing a house or apartment to let as furnished holiday accommodation can deliver impressive rental income and capital growth.
But before you embark on buying your first holiday home, it’s important to understand exactly what’s involved from a practical and financial perspective.
What Makes a Good Holiday Home Location?
One of the most important decisions when buying a holiday home is choosing the right location. Seek out destinations and rural villages that attract tourists, with amenities like beaches, walking trails, historic sites and family attractions nearby. Coastal hotspots in Devon, Cornwall and the Lake District rank among the most popular for holidaymakers. However, even lesser-known rural areas can work well if positioned within driving distance of visitor hubs and cities. Proximity to airports for overseas tourists is a bonus too.Financing and Regulations for Holiday Lets
Specialist lenders offer tailored buy to let mortgages for furnished holiday accommodation. These feature more flexible lending criteria compared to standard mortgages, recognising the strong income potential. However, to qualify as an official holiday let with HMRC, your property needs to be available for at least 105 days a year. Complying with this makes you eligible for tax advantages compared to regular buy to lets.Preparing and Furnishing Your Holiday Home
Preparing your holiday cottage or apartment for guests involves extensive planning and property upgrades:- Furnishings – Holidaymakers expect a fully equipped home with all essential appliances, cookware, linens, towels and furniture. Include special touches like welcome baskets.
- Multi-Room Audio/Visual – Install smart TVs, quality sound systems and WiFi throughout to keep guests entertained during downtime.
- Outdoor Areas – Create the quintessential holiday experience by styling gardens with dining settings, BBQs and fire pits.
- Housekeeping and Maintenance – From deep cleaning to gardening, proper property management is vital to earn 5-star ratings.
- Interior Styling – Work with professionals to showcase your holiday home’s architecture through curated furnishings.
Promoting and Managing Your Holiday Let
With your holiday let ready to impress guests, you need to effectively promote it across advertising platforms to drive bookings – especially during peak seasons. Specialist holiday lettings sites allow you to create a profile showcasing professional photography and detailed descriptions of your property’s features and location. You can also list on major portals like Airbnb. Managing operational aspects like reservations, guest communications and cleaning is extremely time-intensive as well. That’s why many owners outsource to a holiday lettings agency to handle running a holiday let on their behalf.Benefits of Owning a Holiday Home
Purchasing a holiday home comes with a wide range of perks for owners:- Rental Income – Letting your property to holidaymakers during peak seasons can generate substantial rental yields. This income helps offset expenses.
- Personal Holidays – Having your own holiday retreat allows you to enjoy vacations there with family and friends during owner occupancy periods.
- Retirement Planning – If you plan to eventually retire to your holiday home, letting it in the meantime covers costs until you’re ready to relocate.
- Property Investment – Holiday homes in the right location benefit from strong capital appreciation over time, growing your wealth.
- Lifestyle Asset – A holiday let can become a treasured family asset that’s enjoyed across generations.
53 Degrees: Taking Care of Your Holiday Let in the UK
As specialists in holiday let management and holiday home rentals, 53 Degrees takes complete care of everything for your furnished holiday accommodation. We handle all guest enquiries and reservations, pre-stay preparations like deep cleaning, mid-stay housekeeping and restocking, maintenance issues and 24/7 guest support.Get your FREE Holiday Let Valuation below!
Please fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours by call or email with an estimate of what your property could make you as an Holiday Let managed by 53 Degrees Property.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!