Thinking About Letting Out Your Second Home?

As we move out of the busy summer months, many second-home owners are looking ahead capitalising on the 2026 bookings. Rising costs mean more people are exploring ways to earn extra income, and this time of year is the best moment to prepare your property for winter bookings and to get set up ready for 2026. A recent survey by Sykes Holiday Cottages showed that over 7 in 10 second-home owners who don’t currently let are now more likely to start – showing just how many people are beginning to see the value in holiday letting.

The basics are comfort, cleanliness and safety. Guests expect a home-from-home experience, so ensuring the property is well presented, fully furnished, and stocked with essentials such as kitchenware and linen is a great starting point. Safety checks, working smoke alarms and a valid gas certificate (if applicable) are also important. Beyond that, small touches like Wi-Fi, clear instructions for appliances, and a welcoming atmosphere make a big difference to reviews and repeat bookings.

Getting started is easier than you might think. In fact, Quest Cottages offers a Free 5‑Step Guide to Getting Your Property Holiday‑Let Ready on the website, which breaks the process down into simple, clear stages to help you launch your letting journey with confidence. While the guide itself is online, it typically walks you through preparing your property, capturing standout photos, writing a compelling listing, setting up your calendar, and handling guest bookings. With this straightforward roadmap, you’re never left wondering what comes next – it’s all laid out in a logical, step‑by‑step format.

The data shows that holiday letting can be a solid source of income. According to research from Sykes Holiday Cottages:

These figures show both the scale of interest in holiday letting and the broader economic opportunity it represents; not just for owners, but for the communities where these homes are located.

We provide complete support to make holiday letting as stress-free as possible. That includes professional listing management across more than 10 platforms, calendar synchronisation to avoid double bookings, guest vetting, handling pre-arrival questions, and managing secure deposits. Our commission is one of the lowest in the industry starting at 12.5%, so owners keep more of their earnings. Most importantly, we’re here with real people to answer your questions whenever you need us.

Not at all. Many of our owners started out feeling exactly the same. The process can seem overwhelming at first with legals, rules, pricing, and guest management to consider; but that’s why we exist. We guide you through each step, explain everything clearly, and take care of the detail behind the scenes. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of extra income while still keeping full control of when you want to use your home.