If you're a UK landlord weighing up whether to stick with a traditional Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) or explore short-term letting, you're not alone. With upcoming changes to rental legislation, rising tenant protections, and the growing potential of short lets, the landscape is shifting fast.

At Sleepover, we work with landlords who want better returns, fewer legal headaches, and more flexibility. Here’s why short letting, especially when fully managed, is becoming the preferred option.

The big difference: control, flexibility & income

Let’s start with what really matters to landlords:

• Higher income
• More control over your property
• Less risk of long-term complications

Traditional long lets via ASTs were once the norm, but they come with a fixed rental rate, limited flexibility, and growing legal obligations. With short and mid-term lets, you stay in control of who stays, when they stay, and how your property is used.

ASTs and the Renters Reform Bill: What landlords need to know

The UK governments Renters Reform Bill is set to overhaul the private rental sector, and not necessarily in ways that favour landlords. Key changes include:

• Abolishing Section 21 'no-fault' evictions
  Meaning you can’t regain possession of your property without legal grounds.
• Indefinite tenancies
  Tenants will have the right to stay for as long as they like, unless you can prove a valid reason to remove them.
• Longer notice periods and more admin
  The process to end a tenancy will get slower and more complicated.
• Tenants can give notice at any time
  Even after just signing the agreement, tenants will be able to give two months’ notice, making long-term lets less predictable for landlords.

In short: less control, more red tape, and a higher risk of being tied to a tenancy that no longer suits your needs.

Short letting: A smarter alternative

With short letting, you avoid the legal restrictions and enjoy a more dynamic, flexible model. At Sleepover, we help landlords turn their properties into high-performing, low-stress assets.

Here’s what you get with short letting:

• 1. Higher earnings
  Short lets typically deliver 30-40% more income than AST’s, especially in high-demand London areas. We use dynamic pricing to adjust rates in real-time, ensuring your returns are optimised throughout the year.
• 2. No long-term tenant risks
  You don’t have to worry about evictions, arrears, or tenants refusing to leave. With short lets, you decide when the property is available and for how long.
• 3. Ongoing property care
  With professional cleaning after every stay, regular maintenance, and monthly inspections, your property is kept in excellent condition. Compare that to a year-long AST where issues may go unnoticed for months.
• 4. Flexibility for you
  Want the property back for personal use? No problem. Unlike with an AST, short letting lets you block out dates whenever you like.
• 5. Fully managed, hands-off experience
  Sleepover handles everything, from photography, listing, and marketing to guest support, compliance, cleaning, and reporting. You get total visibility, without any of the day-to-day hassle.

The Bottom Line

With short lets, you unlock higher returns, regain control of your property, and avoid the increasing restrictions that come with long-term tenancies.

Whether you’re a hands-off investor or a London homeowner who wants to make the most of your space, Sleepover gives you a better way to rent, without the stress.

Thinking of making the switch? Get in touch today to find out how we can help you maximise your income, reduce stress, and make your property work harder for you, with none of the long-term letting hassle.