Why holiday let in 2026?

If you’re asking the question ‘Are holiday lets still a good business idea?’, you’re in the right place. The short answer is yes – we’re exploring why below.

It’s no secret that we Brits love our holidays abroad – ONS data tells us that UK residents collectively made 94.6 million visits abroad in 2024; however, the good news for holiday lets is that the appeal of the staycation is stronger than ever, as British residents also made 105.6 million overnight visits within the UK in that same year. Other trends offer a reassuring insight into the UK holiday lettings market, such as holidaymakers preferring to take a trip in the UK and take their pet along with them, as opposed to leaving their loved ones behind with sitters or elsewhere. According to market data, holiday let owners are making an average of £21,000 per year in passive income, although this figure can increase or decrease substantially based on things like location, occupancy, and amenities.

So, here are five reasons why having a holiday let in 2026 can be a profitable, rewarding, and enjoyable business.

In 2024, average UK rental returns were about 5.8% according to Zoopla, and in many areas they’ve been creeping up as rents rise faster than property prices. This trend, helped by slightly softer house prices and rents expected to keep growing, means a well‑located holiday let could bring in more income than a standard long‑term rental on the same investment.

Flexibility to monetise shorter breaks

It’s good news for holiday lets that short breaks are the most in demand, as two short breaks in place of a single weekly booking can often deliver amounts in surplus of the weekly rental income, due to the premium nightly rate.​ With that in mind, owners who can accept short and late-availability stays are further optimising revenue without discounts!

A huge portion of the market wants pet-friendly stays

If you’re looking for an investment property that can accommodate pets, you’ll be tapping into a profitable portion of the market. Pet-friendly properties can expect to secure 28% more bookings, and potentially up to 30% more revenue than those that don’t allow pets. From a pet-owner perspective, being able to bring along their four-legged friend often means that a price premium is expected, and that they will be likely to return again in the future. You may also expect to secure more bookings during the ‘quiet months’ when beach restrictions for dogs are lifted.

Keepers Cottages has over a decade of experience in the holiday let industry throughout Kent and into the neighbouring counties. We take great pride in our client care – for us, having happy property owners is just as important as having happy guests. Providing expert insights on everything from interior styling to the legalities of the minimum-stay rule, our friendly team can be reached on 01304 382044 or by emailing enquiries@keeperscottages.co.uk.