Last checked: September 2026
The TL;DR
We've researched the best services, apps and platforms for monetising your UK property while you travel, covering short-term and long-term letting, property insurance, storage, and tax support. We reviewed Trustpilot ratings, customer feedback, pricing and coverage to narrow a long list down to the services worth your attention, so you don't have to.
Rather than repeat platforms under every route, we've organised them by category so each appears once. This is Part 2. If you missed Part 1, it covers whether to monetise at all and the five routes matched to your situation.
Quick route reminder: 🛏️ Route A (rent a room or home exchange) · 📋 Route B (long-term letting) · 🏖️ Route C (short-term letting) · 🚗 Route D (storage, parking or garage) · 🔑 Route E (sell or restructure).
Covered in this article
These platforms are included because we think they're genuinely useful. This is not a paid promotion, and none of the links are affiliate links. Trustpilot ratings, review counts, prices and fees were checked at publication and change quickly: treat them as a dated snapshot, not a guarantee. Insurance claims experience depends on the actual underwriter and policy, not just the broker or brand.
1. 🛏️ Room rental
For Route A (short to medium trips): finding a lodger or renting a furnished room while keeping the property as your main base.
Best for: Finding a lodger or renting out a furnished room without fully vacating the property.
What it does: The UK's primary room-rental marketplace. Over a million listings, strong in cities, used by private landlords and agents alike.
Cost: Free to browse and receive enquiries. Paid featured listings from around £12.99 per week for faster visibility.
Watch out for: The platform finds the person. The compliance (lodger agreement, insurance check, mortgage permission) is still on you.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (20,000+ reviews). Praised for speed of finding tenants; some note paid upgrades don't always justify the cost.
2. 🏡 Home exchange
For Routes A and C: your home earns accommodation credit rather than cash, without taking on a formal tenant. HomeExchange is the established option; Kindred is the nomad-friendly newer platform; People Like Us is a smaller, values-driven alternative.
Best for: The largest possible pool of exchange partners on an established, trusted platform.
What it does: The world's largest home exchange community. Members swap homes for mutual stays, or earn GuestPoints by hosting non-simultaneous exchanges. Strong coverage across Europe, North America and beyond.
Cost: Annual membership from around £120–£160 depending on plan.
Watch out for: Earns exchange nights, not cash. Works best if you're flexible on destination and timing, and your home is somewhere others want to visit.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (27,000+ reviews). Praised for breadth of destinations; the main frustration is finding a match in your preferred destination.
Best for: A newer, more curated exchange experience with verified hosts and longer-stay flexibility.
What it does: Members-only exchange community built around verified homes and travel credits. You host verified members while you travel and earn nights worldwide. Your belongings stay in place, cleaning is handled by Kindred, damage protection up to $100,000.
Cost: Hosting is free. Guests pay a per-trip cleaning and service fee. Annual membership from around $200.
Watch out for: Earns accommodation credit, not cash. Early-stage platform with a smaller review base; availability depends on where members' homes are.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (200+ reviews). Early users highlight the quality of listed homes and the verified-member model; too early to draw strong conclusions.
Best for: A values-driven, community-first platform focused on like-minded travellers.
What it does: Home exchange community for swaps and guest stays. Smaller and more curated than HomeExchange, with an emphasis on trust and community.
Cost: Check current membership pricing on their website.
Watch out for: Much smaller member base, which limits destination options. Better for flexible travellers than those with specific destination needs.
User views: 4.9/5 on Trustpilot (1,300+ reviews). Reviewers highlight the genuine community feel; intercontinental exchanges are harder to arrange.
3. 📋 Long-term letting
For Route B (12–18 months or more): tools for finding tenants and managing the letting process compliantly without a traditional high-street agent. (See Part 1 for what the Renters' Rights Act 2025 means for this route.)
Best for: DIY landlords who want to avoid traditional agent fees but still need a structured, compliant process.
What it does: Advertises on Rightmove and Zoopla, handles tenant referencing and tenancy setup. You stay in control rather than handing over to a high-street agent.
Cost: Advertising from £29. Tenant referencing from £20 per tenant. Full let and tenancy-setup packages from around £149.
Watch out for: Not a full management solution. You'll still need local support for maintenance and emergencies: pair it with a local managing agent charging around 10–15% of monthly rent.
User views: 4.5/5 on Trustpilot (7,000+ reviews). Praised for easy digital setup and value; some note you're on your own for maintenance once the tenancy is live.
4. 🏖️ Short-term let management
For Route C (high-demand location): full management for landlords who want short-let income without running the operation themselves. Always request a net income projection, not a gross nightly rate, before signing up.
Best for: Airbnb-style income when you can't manage guests, cleaning and operations from abroad.
What it does: Full short-let management covering listings, dynamic pricing, guest communication, cleaning coordination and key management.
Cost: Around 12–18% of revenue depending on package, plus a one-off onboarding fee.
Watch out for: Reviews split between guests (positive) and landlords (more mixed). Landlord complaints focus on slow support, payment disputes and income below initial projections once fees are counted.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (3,000+ reviews). Guest reviews largely positive; landlord reviews more mixed on support response times and returns.
Best for: A property in a location served by one of their local franchises.
What it does: UK short-let management franchise network. Local franchisees handle listings, guest management, cleaning and key holding.
Cost: Around 12–20% of revenue; rates vary by local franchise.
Watch out for: The national rating is strong, but experience varies by franchise. Check your local branch reviews specifically, not just the national average.
User views: 4.9/5 on Trustpilot (9,000+ reviews). Positive on responsive local managers; experience varies by franchise.
Best for: Properties in major cities, as a third option to compare alongside Houst and Pass the Keys.
What it does: Short-let management covering listing optimisation, dynamic pricing, guest communication, cleaning and key holding. Operates in major UK cities and internationally.
Cost: A percentage of revenue. Request a net income projection before signing up.
Watch out for: Smaller UK footprint than Pass the Keys. Confirm they operate in your area first.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (12,000+ reviews). Praised for professional communication and reliable cleaning; verify coverage for your city.
Best for: Premium, well-presented properties in prime locations wanting a concierge-style service.
What it does: Specialises in higher-end homes: listings, guest vetting, on-the-ground support and a guest concierge service. A premium alternative to Airbnb.
Cost: A percentage of revenue, reflecting the premium service level.
Watch out for: More a premium booking platform than a full management company. Not every property or location qualifies.
User views: 4.3/5 on Trustpilot (760+ reviews). Praised for property quality and concierge support; some flag communication when problems arise. Small review base.
5. 🛡️ Landlord and short-let insurance
Relevant for Routes B and C: standard home insurance won't cover a tenanted property or paying guests. You need a dedicated policy before anyone moves in or checks in.
Best for: Comparing quotes from multiple insurers quickly, whether for a long-term let or a short-let property.
What it does: The UK's largest online landlord insurance broker, comparing quotes from multiple underwriters. Covers standard landlord policies (Route B) and short-let or holiday-let policies (Route C).
Cost: Varies by property, tenant type and cover. Standard residential-let policies typically start around £150–£200/year; short-let policies run higher.
Watch out for: A broker, not an insurer. Read the specific policy terms and confirm cover as an overseas landlord.
User views: 4.2/5 on Trustpilot (7,000+ reviews). Positive on speed of quotes; negatives usually relate to specific underwriter claims, which is why reading the policy matters.
Best for: Letting from abroad and needing a policy designed for overseas landlords, or wanting a specialist rather than a comparison site.
What it does: Specialist landlord insurer with dedicated expat and overseas-landlord policies, covering unoccupied periods, overseas management and landlord liability.
Cost: Varies by property and cover. Worth comparing against Simply Business.
Watch out for: Specialist cover costs more than a standard policy, and claims experience depends on the policy and underwriter, not the brand. Read the wording carefully.
User views: 4.3/5 on Trustpilot (200+ reviews). Positive on specialist knowledge; small review base, so treat as a sentiment indicator.
6. 📦 Storage and self-storage
Relevant for Routes D and E: earning from space you're not using, or clearing your own belongings before letting or selling.
Best for: A garage, driveway, parking space or spare storage area to earn from while abroad.
What it does: Marketplace for listing and renting out spare storage and parking. Handles bookings, payments and an insurance-backed framework.
Cost: Free to list; around 15–20% commission on completed bookings. A well-located parking space can earn £100–£200/month.
Watch out for: Income is modest versus residential letting; treat it as a complement to another route. Mortgage and leasehold terms still need checking.
User views: 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (~840 reviews). Praised for easy setup; a few flag access-arrangement issues, so agree terms clearly upfront.
Best for: A driveway or parking space, on a platform focused specifically on parking.
What it does: The UK's largest parking marketplace. Lists private driveways, garages and spaces for hourly, daily or monthly rental. Strong near transport hubs, stadiums and airports.
Cost: Free to list; around 15% commission on bookings.
Watch out for: Parking only, not storage or garage lets. Income varies by location.
User views: 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (40,000+ reviews). One of the most-reviewed parking platforms; praised for easy listing and reliable payments.
Best for: A second parking-specific platform to compare with JustPark.
What it does: Lists private parking spaces for short-term, long-term and commuter rentals. Strong in city centres and commuter locations.
Cost: Free to list; commission taken on bookings.
Watch out for: Income depends heavily on location. List on both platforms to compare demand.
User views: 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (100,000+ reviews). Positive on quick setup and consistent income in commuter-belt locations.
Best for: Clearing belongings before letting, short-letting or selling, or accessible UK storage while abroad.
What it does: Self-storage across 100+ UK locations, no long-term contracts required.
Cost: A standard 25 sq ft unit (a bedroom's worth of furniture) typically costs £80–£130/month; a 50 sq ft unit £150–£250/month.
Watch out for: Storage costs are easy to underestimate over time. If storing while you let, factor the monthly cost into your net income from the start.
User views: 4.8/5 on Trustpilot (5,000+ reviews). One of the highest-rated storage providers; praised for secure facilities and smooth move-in.
Best for: A second self-storage option to compare with Big Yellow, or a closer facility.
What it does: One of the UK's largest self-storage chains, 170+ locations across the UK and Europe.
Cost: Varies by unit size and location; broadly comparable with Big Yellow.
Watch out for: Pricing and availability vary significantly by location. Compare a local Safestore and Big Yellow quote before committing.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (thousands of reviews). Praised for clean facilities and helpful staff; check the specific facility near you.
Best for: A collection-and-delivery model rather than driving to a storage facility.
What it does: Collects boxes or items from your door, stores them in a warehouse, and delivers them back when needed.
Cost: From around £6–£8 per box per month, plus collection and delivery fees.
Watch out for: Better for smaller volumes than clearing a full property. Access requires booking a delivery, so not ideal for frequent access.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (6,600+ reviews). Praised for friendly drivers and easy booking; a minority flag item handling and extra charges, so read the pricing terms.
7. 💷 Tax advisers
Relevant for Route E and for any reader who becomes a non-resident landlord: getting the tax right before you leave or sell. A general accountant is usually not enough for complex cross-border situations. (If you let UK property while living abroad, you'll also be in HMRC's Non-Resident Landlord Scheme, linked in Official Resources.)
Best for: Straightforward help with Self Assessment, non-resident landlord filing or CGT calculations after selling a UK property.
What it does: A digital platform that matches you with a UK-qualified accountant for Self Assessment filing, non-resident questions and CGT calculations.
Cost: Self Assessment filing from £119; tax-advice consultations from £149.
Watch out for: Best suited to relatively straightforward situations. Multiple properties or international tax treaties may need a more specialist adviser.
User views: 4.8/5 on Trustpilot (7,400+ reviews). Praised for fast turnaround and easy platform; a minority flag inconsistency between individual accountants.
Best for: Non-resident landlords, anyone selling a UK property where CGT may apply, or readers with a complex ownership history who need a specialist.
What it does: UK expat and nomad tax advisory covering the Statutory Residence Test, non-resident landlord obligations, CGT on property sales, and leaving the UK tax-efficiently. For situations where Taxfix alone isn't enough.
Cost: Initial consultations from around £250 to £500 depending on complexity. (To find other qualified specialists, the CIOT directory at tax.org.uk/find-a-tax-adviser is a good starting point.)
Watch out for: At the higher end of the cost range. Come prepared with your ownership history, residency situation and any letting periods documented.
User views: 4.5/5 on Trustpilot, but only 15 reviews at time of checking. The reviews are positive on clear communication and specialist knowledge; small base, so consider requesting a referral before engaging.
Frequently Asked Questions ❓
Which platform finds me a lodger?
SpareRoom is the UK's main room-rental marketplace and the go-to for Route A. It finds the person, but the compliance (lodger agreement, insurance check and mortgage permission) is still on you.
What's the difference between HomeExchange, Kindred and People Like Us?
All three are home exchange, so they earn accommodation credit rather than cash. HomeExchange has the largest global pool; Kindred is a newer, verified-member platform where your belongings stay in place; People Like Us is a smaller, values-driven community. All work best if you're flexible on destination.
Can I let long-term without a high-street agent?
Yes. OpenRent advertises on Rightmove and Zoopla and handles referencing and tenancy setup from around £29–£149. It isn't full management, though, so pair it with a local managing agent (about 10–15% of rent) for maintenance and emergencies while you're abroad.
Who manages a short-let while I'm abroad?
Houst, Pass the Keys and GuestReady offer full short-let management (roughly 12–20% of revenue); One Fine Stay is the premium, concierge option for higher-end homes. Always ask for a net income projection, not a gross nightly rate, before signing up.
Do I need special insurance to let my home?
Yes. Standard home insurance won't cover a tenanted property or paying guests. Simply Business (a broker comparing multiple underwriters) and Alan Boswell (a specialist with overseas-landlord policies) are both worth a quote: claims experience depends on the underwriter, so read the policy wording.
Do I need a specialist tax adviser as a non-resident landlord?
For straightforward Self Assessment or CGT, Taxfix is a reasonable start. For non-resident landlord obligations, a period of letting, or a complex ownership history, use a specialist like Expat Tax Solutions or a CIOT-listed adviser. Getting it right before you sell or leave is far cheaper than fixing it later.
Official Resources 📎
Disclaimer
This newsletter provides general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Platform fees, insurance terms and tax rules change, and letting regulations vary across the UK's nations. Always verify current terms and pricing directly with each provider and take professional advice specific to your situation.
