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A long let gives a known rent every month, low running costs and little weekly work, but since 1 May 2026 the tenancy is periodic and you can only take the property back on a legal ground. A holiday let can earn more in a strong season and keeps the property free for your own use, at the price of higher costs, a seasonal income and more work, which Sea Breeze Property Services takes on for 16% commission with no retainer.

The answer depends on the property, the street and what you need from it. This page is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice.

Income: steady against seasonal

A tenancy pays the same rent each month, reviewed once a year by section 13 notice with at least two months' notice. Income stops only during a void between tenants.

A holiday let earns by the night. In Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch the summer, the school holidays and the big event weekends carry the year, and November to March is quieter. We do not quote a general figure for either:. Our rent estimate gives a starting figure for a tenancy, and a valuation visit confirms it.

Costs

A tenant normally pays utilities and council tax. A holiday let owner pays them all, plus broadband, cleaning and linen after every stay, platform fees, holiday let insurance and management. Wear is faster with a new guest every few nights.

Tax after the FHL regime

The furnished holiday lettings regime was abolished from 6 April 2025, according to GOV.UK. At the time of writing a holiday let is taxed like any other property income, so the old reliefs no longer tip the balance. Both routes now compete on income, cost and flexibility.

Council tax and business rates

A holiday let is assessed for business rates only if, in the last 12 months, it was available for short lets of 28 nights or less for at least 140 nights and actually let for at least 70, and will be available for 140 in the next 12. If it falls short it stays on council tax, and BCP Council has charged a 100% premium on furnished second homes since 1 April 2025, a total of 200% of the normal bill.

The Renters' Rights Act and licensing

A tenancy is now periodic, with no section 21, and possession needs a legal ground. A genuine holiday let sits outside the assured tenancy rules under Schedule 1 of the Housing Act 1988, so holiday guests do not gain a tenancy. The line is the purpose of the stay: someone living in the property as a main home may be a tenant whatever the booking says.

Both routes have their own safety duties. A shared house let to five or more people from two or more households needs an HMO licence from BCP Council, and some areas need planning permission for smaller HMOs. A holiday let needs a fire risk assessment and suitable insurance, and a national registration scheme for short lets in England is planned but had not opened at the time of writing.

The work

A long let is quiet once a good tenant is in, and our property management tiers handle what remains. A holiday let needs pricing, messages, changeovers and reviews every week; our holiday let management through Sea Breeze covers them for 16% commission.

Which suits you

Choose a long let if you need predictable income, own a family house inland, or have a lease that bars short stays. Choose a holiday let if the property is close to the beach or the town centres and you value your own weeks and the option to sell empty. If you want something between the two, read our comparison of a tenancy and furnished stays.