Build a serviced
accommodation business
Serviced accommodation can earn more from a property than a standard let. Source SA deals for investors, run serviced accommodation yourself, or do both, with the training, tools and support of Sourced.
What is serviced accommodation?
Serviced accommodation is a fully furnished property let for short stays, from one night to a few months, with services such as cleaning, linen and Wi-Fi included. Guests book it like a hotel, but get a whole flat or house.
Read our full guide to what serviced accommodation is.
Why build a business
around serviced accommodation?
Serviced accommodation can earn more from one property than a standard let, if it's set up and run well.
Nightly income
Nightly rates can add up to more than monthly rent when occupancy is good.
Year-round demand
Contractors, business travellers and relocating families book all year, not just in summer.
Flexibility
Properties can switch strategy if the market changes.
Well-kept properties
Regular cleaning and checks keep the property in good condition.
Who books serviced accommodation?
Demand comes from guests who need more than a hotel room, all year round, not just in the holiday season.
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Contractors
Working on projects for weeks or months at a time.
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Business travellers
Who want more space than a hotel room.
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Relocating families
Between homes or waiting for a sale to complete.
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Insurance stays
Families displaced by a flood, fire or major repair.
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Leisure guests
weekends, events and holidays.
Two ways to build a serviced accommodation business
Many Partners do both: they run their own SA and source deals for investors.
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Run your own serviced accommodation
Buy properties, or lease them from landlords with their permission, and run them as SA. You manage bookings, pricing, guests and cleaning, or use a management company. This route needs capital or landlord agreements, the right mortgage or lease permission, and a clear plan for running costs.
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Source SA deals for investors
Find properties where the numbers work as SA, analyse them and introduce them to investors for an agreed fee. You don't need to buy the property. Sourcing businesses must have anti-money laundering supervision and redress scheme membership.
How a serviced accommodation deal comes together
Whether you run it yourself or source it for an investor, every SA deal follows the same four steps.
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Pick the right area
Steady demand from business, contractor or leisure guests.
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Find the property
One that suits SA, with the right permissions in place.
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Run the numbers
Nightly rate, occupancy, running costs and return.
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Run it or sell it
Operate it yourself, or package it for an investor and earn a sourcing fee.
What to check before you start
SA can earn more, but it costs more to run and the rules vary by area. The numbers have to work after every cost, not just on nightly rates.
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Mortgage and lease permission
Most buy-to-let mortgages and many leases don't allow short lets without permission. Always check first.
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Landlord permission
If you lease a property to run as SA, the landlord must agree in writing, and their mortgage and insurance must allow it.
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London's 90-night rule
Homes in London can only be let short term for up to 90 nights a year without planning permission.
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Scotland and Wales
Short-term lets in Scotland need a council licence. In Wales, a property must be let for at least 182 days a year to qualify for business rates.
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Tax
The furnished holiday lettings tax regime ended in April 2025, so short lets are now taxed much like other rental income.
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Occupancy
Income depends on bookings. A property needs steady demand all year, not just a busy summer.
How Sourced Partners build SA businesses
Everything you need to run SA yourself or source it for investors, with a team behind you from day one.
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Practical training
learn how to find, assess and run serviced accommodation, and how to package SA deals for investors.
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Deal Analysts
Get the numbers checked, including occupancy, nightly rates and running costs.
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Personal Business Manager
One-to-one support to keep your business moving.
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Investor network
Present SA deals to investors through the Sourced app and platform.
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In-house brokerage
Support with finance, subject to lender criteria.
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Property accounting
Accounting built in, so you don't need an external accountant.
Want to build an SA business with a team behind you?
Book a discovery call
Real Partners.
Real SA businesses.
- Joined Sourced Property in summer 2026 with no property experience
- Secured a three-bedroom flat in Central London to run as serviced accommodation
- Booked for 90 days by a corporate guest, bringing in £16,800
- A management company runs it day to day, so he doesn't manage every detail himself
- Three SA opportunities within 10 weeks of induction
Ready to build a serviced accommodation business?
Book a discovery call-
Book a discovery call
Tell us what you want to build, whether that's running your own SA, sourcing SA deals for investors, or both.
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Get to know us
See how the training, Deal Analysts and investor network work, and speak to Partners already doing it.
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Secure your franchise
If it's the right fit, we'll onboard you and help you start on your first SA opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
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A fully furnished property let for short stays, with services like cleaning and linen included. Guests book it by the night, like a hotel. Read our full guide to what serviced accommodation is.
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Yes. You can buy properties or lease them from landlords with permission and run them as SA, managing them yourself or using a management company. Find out whether serviced accommodation management is worth it.
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No. You can lease properties from landlords with their permission, or find SA deals for investors and earn a fee through property deal sourcing.
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Leasing a property from a landlord on a fixed rent, with their written permission, and running it as SA. Your profit is the gap between the rent you pay and your booking income, after costs.
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It can earn more than a standard let, but running costs are higher and income depends on occupancy. Profit comes from steady bookings and tight cost control.
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Yes. Sourced Partners get practical training on finding, running and sourcing SA, with ongoing support from a Business Manager and Deal Analysts. Compare our property investment training.
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No. Airbnb is a booking platform. Serviced accommodation is a type of property that can be listed on Airbnb and other sites, or booked directly.
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Neither is better for everyone. SA can earn more per property but is more hands-on and depends on bookings, while an HMO gives steadier monthly rent from several tenants. Many Partners do both. Explore HMO property investment.