A property management firm is suggesting that landlords and policy-makers be more flexible, and think outside the ‘short-let or long-let’ divide.
As the Renters Rights Act comes info force, Pass the Keys says increased policy and financial pressures on both lang-let and short-let landlords risk diminishing supply.
The company – which manages over 1,700 properties in the UK and overseas – claims it’s receiving a ‘flood’ of enquiries from traditional long-let landlords concerned about what the Renters Rights Act means for their business.
Wesley Brown, chief operations officer of Pass the Keys, says: “The danger is that policymakers frame this as a choice between short lets and long lets. The reality is far more complex.
“If landlords are squeezed too hard in the long-let sector, some may leave the market altogether, and this further tightens supply and pushes rents even higher.
“At the same time, short-term letting is not always the immediate alternative. There are now tougher licensing regimes, registration requirements and rising local taxes.
“So we’re seeing pressure on both sides of the market, with the risk that tenants, guests and local economies all lose out.
“The conversation must move beyond short versus long lets and focus on balanced regulation that supports supply, standards, and local economies.
“Our experience shows that when operators and policymakers collaborate, both sectors can coexist while delivering stable income and suitable lodgings for both tenants and guests.”
The operator points to one of its regional owner, Natalia Soler in Glasgow, whose operation manages 30-plus properties – many of them are described as ‘mid-lets’.
She says: “In Glasgow, the introduction of stricter licensing for short-term rentals in 2023 created a challenging environment, requiring many operators to rethink their strategies.
“For us, it became an opportunity to adapt, and we pivoted much of our portfolio towards mid-term lets to meet growing demand from professionals, contractors, and those in transition between homes.
“This allowed us to continue offering a flexible, high-quality accommodation option that sits between short and long lets.
“It also showed the resilience of a professionally managed model, where operators can respond quickly to changing regulations without compromising on standards or guest experience.
“Glasgow shows that, despite setbacks, regulation can encourage innovation rather than restrict it.
“By evolving our model, we’ve been able to maintain strong occupancy, support local demand, and demonstrate how short-let expertise can translate into broader, more sustainable rental solutions.”
