26% of letting agents have seen an increase in the number of enquiries for short term lets in the last few months, according to research published today by the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).

Short term lets are classed as under 90 days and the rise in popularity of sites such as Airbnb have in part caused the increase in enquiries.

David Cox, managing director of ARLA, said: “Short term lets can be hugely beneficial for both tenants and landlords; offering freedom and convenience for both parties. A short let can also be a more profitable option as you may be able to charge a higher rent than you would if you were letting a property out full time.

“We’ve already seen a massive rise in the number of enquiries for short term lets and with the rising popularity of websites like Airbnb this is only going to continue. Landlords looking to let their property out short-term should follow our simple tips to ensure they’re following best practice.

“Being a landlord is a full time job, not a hobby – even short term lets. So it’s worth working with a reputable ARLA Licensed agent, who can take the ‘job’ aspect out of it; allowing you to reap the rewards.”