Holiday Let Income Calculator
Work out what a short-term rental actually earns after platform commission, cleaning between guests and annual running costs.
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Short-term letting is quoted in nightly rates and paid in net income, and the gap between the two is wide. Platform commission, cleaning between every stay, higher utility use, linen, consumables and much heavier maintenance all come out before anything reaches you.
Cleaning is the cost most often underestimated, because it is charged per changeover rather than per night. Shorter average stays mean more changeovers for the same occupancy, and the cost rises accordingly.
The calculation
Nights booked = 365 × occupancy. Gross revenue = nights × nightly rate. Platform commission comes off that, then cleaning at (nights ÷ average stay) changeovers, then annual running costs.
Worked example
At 150 a night with 45% occupancy the property is booked 164 nights, grossing 24,638. A 15% commission takes 3,696, leaving 20,942. With three-night average stays there are about 55 changeovers costing 2,464, and 6,000 of annual running costs. Net income is roughly 12,478.
Check whether you are allowed to do it
Short-term letting is restricted or licensed in a growing number of cities, and many leases, mortgages and building rules prohibit it outright. Confirm what applies before buying on the strength of short-let income, since a change in the rules can remove it entirely.
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Create your free property pageFrequently asked questions
What occupancy should I assume?
Forty to sixty percent is typical for a well-run property in a genuine destination, with strong seasonality. Look at comparable listings across a full year rather than a peak month, and be sceptical of figures quoted by anyone selling you the property.
Why does average stay length matter so much?
Because cleaning is charged per changeover. The same occupancy achieved through two-night stays instead of five-night stays more than doubles the cleaning bill, which can be the difference between profit and loss.
Is short letting better than long letting?
Sometimes, and it is far more work. Gross revenue is usually higher and net income often much closer than expected once commission, cleaning, voids and management time are counted. Compare them properly before switching.
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