1. What is corporate housing in London?

Corporate housing refers to fully furnished apartments let on a monthly basis to business travellers, relocating professionals, contractors and companies managing temporary accommodation for their employees. Stays typically run from one to twelve months. The tenant profile is distinct from short-let guests: corporate tenants are usually vetted by their employer, tend to treat properties with more care, and generate less management overhead than nightly short-let bookings.

In London, the corporate housing market is concentrated in areas with high business and financial sector density - the City, Canary Wharf, Kensington, Chelsea, Paddington and South Kensington all have strong corporate demand. Tech sector relocations concentrate in East London (Shoreditch, Old Street) and West London (White City, Hammersmith). Healthcare and pharmaceutical contractors favour areas near major hospital campuses.

Corporate lets differ from assured shorthold tenancies in one important respect: they are typically structured as licence agreements rather than tenancies, which gives the owner more flexibility to recover the property. For stays under six months, this is the standard structure. Always take legal advice on the appropriate agreement for your specific situation.

2. What does corporate housing pay in London?

Corporate housing in London typically generates £2,500–£4,500 per month for a furnished two-bedroom apartment, depending on location, specification and the length of let. The market benchmark is around £3,000/month for a well-presented two-bedroom in a central borough.

Estimated monthly corporate housing rates by area (2-bed, furnished, 2026):

• Kensington, Chelsea, Mayfair: £3,500 – £5,000/month
• City of London, Canary Wharf: £3,000 – £4,000/month
• Shoreditch, Clerkenwell, Islington: £2,800 – £3,500/month
• South Kensington, Fulham, Battersea: £2,500 – £3,500/month
• Hammersmith, Chiswick, Richmond: £2,200 – £3,000/month

Compared to short-let income, corporate housing generates less per month - a two-bedroom Shoreditch flat earning £5,400/month on Airbnb at 70% occupancy will earn £2,800–3,200/month as a corporate let. But the short-let income is capped at 90 nights per year in London. Corporate lets of 30 nights or more are exempt from the 90-night cap - meaning a property that exhausts its short-let allowance in peak season can switch to corporate letting for the remainder of the year without restriction.

3. The 90-day cap and the hybrid letting strategy

London's 90-night annual cap applies to entire-home short-term lets where the owner is not present. Once 90 nights are booked on Airbnb or Booking.com, no further short-term bookings can be taken for the rest of the calendar year without planning permission.

For a two-bedroom London property earning £180–220/night at 70% occupancy, 90 nights generates approximately £16,200–19,800 in short-let income. The remaining 275 nights must either sit empty, be occupied by the owner, or be let through an alternative route - and corporate housing is the most financially productive of these options.

A hybrid annual income model for a central London 2-bed:

• Short-let peak season (April–July, ~90 nights): £180–220/night at 70% occ = ~£16,200–19,800
• Corporate let (August–March, ~8 months): £3,000/month = ~£24,000
• Total annual gross: ~£40,000–43,800

For comparison, a long-term tenancy for the same property would generate approximately £2,750/month or £33,000 per year - significantly less than the hybrid model and with less flexibility to recover the property.

The key operational requirement is that corporate lets must be for stays of 30 nights or more to be exempt from the short-let cap. Stays of under 21 consecutive nights count toward the 90-night total. Ensure any management company or letting agent you use understands this distinction and structures agreements correctly.

4. Where to list corporate housing in London

The main platforms for corporate and monthly rentals in London are different from Airbnb and Booking.com:

Homelike: specialist corporate housing platform targeting companies relocating employees. Strong in tech and financial sector. Monthly minimum. Properties are vetted. Particularly strong for City and East London tech corridor properties.

Furnished Finder: US-founded but active in London, focused on travel nurses, healthcare professionals and contractors. Useful for properties near major London hospital campuses (St Thomas', King's College, St Mary's Paddington).

Spotahome: Spanish-founded platform popular with European professionals relocating to London. Strong for young professionals and tech workers. Monthly minimum, virtual viewings model.

Nestpick: aggregator platform that pulls from multiple corporate housing providers. Useful for additional exposure without managing separate listings.

Direct corporate relationships: companies with large London operations often maintain preferred supplier lists for temporary accommodation. Registering directly with corporate travel managers and relocation companies (such as Cartus, Brookfield, Crown World Mobility) can generate consistent bookings without platform fees.

Airbnb monthly discounts: within the 90-night cap, Airbnb's monthly discount feature (typically 30–50% off the nightly rate) can attract corporate guests to stays of 28+ nights while still using the platform's existing booking infrastructure.

5. What corporate tenants need

Corporate housing in London is a competitive market. Properties that attract the best tenants - and the highest rates - consistently offer:

• High-speed WiFi - non-negotiable for remote workers and business travellers. Minimum 100Mbps, ideally fibre. Include the speed in listings.
• Fully equipped kitchen - corporate tenants staying for weeks or months expect to self-cater. Quality appliances, sufficient cookware and regular supplies matter.
• Workspace - a dedicated desk and ergonomic chair increases appeal significantly for remote workers and contractors.
• Quality linen and towels - hotel-standard, changed regularly if you use a management service.
• Flexible check-in and check-out - corporate tenants often have irregular travel schedules. Keyless entry and flexible timing are expected.
• Bills included - most corporate lets in London include utilities, council tax, WiFi and TV licence in the monthly rate. This commands a premium over bills-exclusive pricing.
• Professional photography - corporate bookers and relocation managers review multiple properties. Professional photography with workspace and connectivity featured prominently converts significantly better than casual photos.

For further context on professional property management in London, see the London Airbnb management page, the how much can you earn on Airbnb in London guide, and the best Airbnb management companies in London guide.

6. FAQ

How much does corporate housing cost in London per month?

Corporate housing in London typically costs £2,500–£5,000 per month for a furnished two-bedroom apartment depending on location and specification. Central borough properties (Kensington, City, Canary Wharf) command £3,000–£4,500/month. Outer Zone 2 areas typically achieve £2,200–£3,000/month. Bills-inclusive pricing is standard and commands a 10–15% premium over bills-exclusive rates.

Is corporate letting better than Airbnb in London?

For most London properties, short-let on Airbnb generates more income per night but is capped at 90 nights per year. Corporate letting generates less per month but is uncapped and lower-maintenance. The strongest income strategy for most London investment properties is a hybrid model: short-let during peak season to exhaust the 90-night cap at maximum nightly rates, then switch to corporate letting for the remainder of the year.

Does the 90-day rule apply to corporate lets?

The 90-night annual cap applies to short-term lets of under 21 consecutive nights. Corporate lets structured for 30 nights or more are exempt from the cap and do not count toward your 90-night total. This is the key legal distinction that makes the hybrid model viable. Always use properly structured licence agreements for corporate lets and take legal advice if you are unsure.

Which platforms are best for corporate housing in London?

Homelike, Spotahome and Furnished Finder are the specialist platforms for monthly and corporate rentals in London. Nestpick aggregates across multiple providers for additional exposure. Direct relationships with corporate travel managers and relocation companies at major London employers can generate consistent bookings at better margins than platform-mediated bookings.

Do I need planning permission for corporate housing in London?

No. Corporate lets of 30 nights or more are not subject to planning restrictions under London's short-let rules. Planning permission is only required for entire-home lets of under 21 consecutive nights that exceed 90 nights in a calendar year. Always ensure your letting agreement is correctly structured for the length of stay.

This guide reflects publicly available information as of June 2026. Tax treatment, planning rules and cap thresholds can change - always confirm current rules with a qualified advisor before structuring your letting calendar. This is not legal or financial advice.