If you’re wondering, “Can I let my house as a holiday home?”, you’re not alone. You may need to obtain planning permission for a ‘material change of use’ from residential to holiday let, check requirements with your local council, and inform your mortgage provider. With more people than ever choosing UK holidays, demand for quality self-catering accommodation continues to grow. Holiday letting is a great way to earn additional income from a second home, and keeps it lived in and looked after for your own peace of mind.
At Bolthole Retreats, we work closely with owners to take the guesswork out of setting up and running a successful holiday let. From the early legal considerations to the finishing touches on the décor, you’ll have expert guidance every step of the way.
What do I need to consider before letting?
Before starting to advertise your property, there are a few things you’ll need to think about:
- Mortgage and lease: If your property is mortgaged, you’ll need to confirm that holiday letting is allowed under your terms. Leasehold properties may have some restrictions too, so it’s worth reviewing the lease.
- Planning permission: In most areas, you won’t need planning permission to use your home as a holiday let, especially if it remains your property and isn’t being structurally altered. However, some councils (particularly in high-demand tourist areas) have introduced regulations, so it’s wise to check with your local authority.
- Insurance: You’ll need a holiday let insurance policy that covers short-term guests, public liability, accidental damage and loss of income. This gives you peace of mind and protects your investment.
- Local registration: While England does not currently require registration, the government is planning to introduce a national short-term let register in the near future. We’ll keep you informed as the details emerge to help make sure you’re up to date.
- Tax and finances: Letting out a holiday home qualifies as a business, which means you’ll need to declare your income and expenses. From April 2025, the Furnished Holiday Let tax regime will be phased out, and all holiday lets will be treated as regular property income. However, with the right support, you can still claim eligible costs and make your let work hard for you.
Do I need to do everything myself?
Absolutely not – and that’s where we come in.
At Bolthole Retreats, we guide you through every step of becoming a successful holiday let owner. From setting your pricing and writing compelling listings, to managing guest communications and collecting reviews, we offer a full marketing and booking service tailored to your property.
But our support starts even earlier. We help new owners:
- Understand the legal and tax responsibilities of becoming a holiday let business
- Style and furnish the property so it appeals to your ideal guest
- Prepare for launch with professional photography and listings on our website as well as all the major platforms
Once your property is live, we continue to optimise performance, helping you grow your income year after year.
Start your holiday let journey with confidence
Turning your house into a holiday home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right advice and a team who knows the market inside out, you can turn potential into profit — and make the process as smooth and enjoyable as possible.