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The TL;DR
Last week we covered all five routes for making your UK property work before you go nomad. This week is the directory.
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 work through a long list of options and narrow it 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 one appears once, clearly. If you want to jump straight to a specific category, use the list below.
If you missed Part 1, you can find it here.
Quick route reminder:
🛏️ Route A | Short to medium trips: Rent a room or home exchange
📋 Route B | 12–18 months or more: Long-term letting
🏖️ Route C | High-demand location: Short-term letting
🚗 Route D | Any duration: Storage, parking or garage
🔑 Route E | Indefinite move or clean break: Sell or restructure
Covered in this article
These platforms are included because we think they're genuinely useful. This is not a paid promotion. Always read current reviews and verify pricing before signing up.
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, including the lodger agreement, insurance check and mortgage permission, is still on you.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (20,000+ reviews). Landlords consistently praise the speed of finding tenants and ease of use. Some note that paid upgrades don't always justify the cost, and enquiry quality can vary.
2. 🏡 Home Exchange
For Routes A and C: an alternative to traditional letting where your home earns you 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: Readers who want the largest possible pool of home exchange partners and an established, trusted platform.
What it does: The world's largest home exchange community. Members swap homes with each other 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 per year depending on plan. Check current pricing on their website.
Watch out for: Earns exchange nights, not cash. Works best if you are flexible on destination and timing, and if your home is in a location others actually want to visit.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (27,000+ reviews). Members praise the breadth of destinations and community feel. The main frustration is that exchanges depend on finding a match in your preferred destination, which can take time
Best for: Nomads who want a newer, more curated home exchange experience with a focus on verified hosts and longer-stay flexibility.
What it does: Members-only home exchange community built around verified homes and travel credits. You host verified members while you travel and earn nights in their homes 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. Check current pricing on their website.
Watch out for: Earns accommodation credit, not cash. Early-stage platform with a smaller review base than HomeExchange; availability depends on where members' homes are.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (200+ reviews). Too early to draw strong conclusions from the review base, but early users highlight the quality of listed homes and the verified-member model. Worth monitoring as the platform grows.
Best for: Readers who want a home exchange platform with a values-driven, community-first approach and a focus on like-minded travellers.
What it does: Home exchange community connecting members for home 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 than HomeExchange, which limits destination options. Better suited to flexible travellers than those with specific destination requirements.
User views: 4.9/5 on Trustpilot (1,300+ reviews). Reviewers consistently highlight the genuine community feel and respectful members. A small number note that intercontinental exchanges are harder to arrange, the platform works best if you have flexibility on destination.
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.
Best for: DIY landlords who want to avoid traditional agent fees but still need a structured, compliant letting 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. Check current pricing on their website for the latest options.
Watch out for: Not a full management solution. You will still need local support for maintenance and emergencies. If you need someone handling repairs from abroad, pair this with a local managing agent charging around 10–15% of monthly rent.
User views: 4.5/5 on Trustpilot (over 7,000 reviews). Landlords consistently praise the ease of digital setup, clear process and value compared to high-street agents. Some note you're on your own for maintenance and emergencies once the tenancy is live.
4. 🏖️ Short-Term Let Management
For Route C (high-demand location): full management services for landlords who want short-let income without running the operation themselves.
Best for: Readers who want Airbnb-style income but cannot manage guest communications, cleaning and operations from abroad.
What it does: Full short-let management covering listings, dynamic pricing, guest communication, cleaning coordination and key management.
Cost: Management fee of around 12–18% of revenue depending on package, plus a one-off onboarding fee. Always request a net income projection, not a gross nightly rate, before signing up.
Watch out for: Reviews split noticeably between guests (generally positive) and landlords (more mixed). Landlord complaints focus on slow customer service, payment disputes and income falling below initial projections once all fees are counted. Always request a net income projection before signing up.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (3,000+ reviews). Guest reviews are largely positive: clean properties, good locations, smooth check-in. Landlord reviews are more mixed, with recurring themes around slow support response times and returns below initial estimates.
Best for: Readers with 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: Management fee of around 12–20% of revenue; rates vary by local franchise. Check directly with the franchise covering your area.
Watch out for: The national Trustpilot rating is strong, but experience varies significantly by franchise. Always check your local branch reviews specifically, not just the national average.
User views: 4.9/5 on Trustpilot (9,000+ reviews). Positive themes include responsive local managers and smooth operations, though experience varies by franchise. Always check your local branch reviews before signing up.
Best for: Readers with properties in major cities who want a third management option to compare alongside Houst and Pass the Keys.
What it does: Short-let management service covering listing optimisation, dynamic pricing, guest communication, cleaning and key holding. Operates in major UK cities and internationally.
Cost: Management fee as a percentage of revenue. Request a net income projection before signing up.
Watch out for: Smaller UK footprint than Pass the Keys. Coverage varies by city, so confirm they operate in your area before pursuing.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (12,000+ reviews). Reviewers highlight professional communication and reliable cleaning coordination. Smaller review base than Houst or Pass the Keys, so verify current coverage and recent reviews for your city.
Best for: Owners of premium, well-presented properties in prime locations who want a more curated, concierge-style service than a standard Airbnb manager.
What it does: Specialises in higher-end homes, handling listings, guest vetting, on-the-ground support and a concierge service for guests. Positions itself as a premium alternative to Airbnb for properties where the owner wants their home treated with care and presented to a discerning audience.
Cost: Management fee as a percentage of revenue. Fees reflect the premium service level. Request a net income projection before committing.
Watch out for: More of a premium booking platform than a full management company like Houst or Pass the Keys. Not every property or location qualifies.
User views: 4.3/5 on Trustpilot (760+ reviews). Guest reviews highlight the quality of properties and concierge support; some flag communication issues when problems arise. Small review base compared to mainstream operators. Verify current reviews before proceeding.
5. 🛡️ Landlord and Short-Let Insurance
Relevant for Routes B and C: standard home insurance will not cover a tenanted property or paying guests. You need a dedicated policy before anyone moves in or checks in.
Best for: Landlords who want to compare 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 in one place. Covers both standard landlord policies for Route B and short-let or holiday let policies for Route C.
Cost: Premiums vary widely by property type, tenant type and cover level. Landlord policies typically start from around £150–£200 per year for a standard residential let; short-let policies tend to run higher. Get a quote directly at simplybusiness.co.uk.
Watch out for: A broker, not an insurer. Always read the specific policy terms and confirm cover as an overseas landlord.
User views: 4.2/5 on Trustpilot (7,000+ reviews). Most positive reviews note speed and ease of getting quotes. Negative reviews typically relate to specific underwriter claim experiences rather than the broker itself. This reinforces the need to read the actual policy terms carefully.
Best for: Nomads letting from abroad who need a policy specifically designed for overseas landlords, or who want a specialist rather than a comparison site.
What it does: Specialist landlord insurer. Dedicated policies for expat and overseas landlords, covering unoccupied periods, overseas management and landlord liability. Has been recognised by Which? as a recommended provider, though always verify current accreditations on their website.
Cost: Premiums vary by property and cover level. Get a direct quote at alanboswell.com. Worth comparing against Simply Business to find the right fit.
Watch out for: Specialist cover costs more than a standard policy. Claims experience depends on the policy and underwriter, not the brand name. Always read the policy wording carefully.
User views: 4.3/5 on Trustpilot (200+ reviews). Positive themes include specialist knowledge and helpful staff for landlord-specific queries. Small review base. Treat as a sentiment indicator and verify current reviews before purchasing.
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: Homeowners with a garage, driveway, parking space or spare storage area they want to earn from while abroad.
What it does: Online marketplace for listing and renting out spare storage and parking. Handles bookings, payments and an insurance-backed framework for both host and renter.
Cost: Free to list. Stashbee charges hosts a commission of around 15–20% on completed bookings. A well-located parking space can generate £100–£200 per month.
Watch out for: Income is modest compared to residential letting. Treat this as a complement to another route. Mortgage and leasehold terms still need checking before you list.
User views: 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (around 840 reviews). Users highlight easy listing setup, smooth booking management and helpful support; a few flag occasional access arrangement issues, which reinforces the need to agree terms clearly upfront.
Best for: Homeowners with a driveway or parking space who want a platform focused specifically on parking rather than storage.
What it does: UK's largest parking marketplace. Lists private driveways, garages and spaces for hourly, daily or monthly rental. Strong in cities and near transport hubs, stadiums and airports.
Cost: Free to list. JustPark takes a commission of around 15% on bookings.
Watch out for: Parking-only platform. Does not cover storage or garage lets. Income varies significantly by location.
User views: 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (40,000+ reviews). One of the most-reviewed parking platforms in the UK. Space owners consistently praise ease of listing and reliable payment processing.
Best for: Homeowners wanting 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 presence in city centres and commuter locations.
Cost: Free to list. Commission taken on bookings. Check current terms on their website.
Watch out for: As with JustPark, income depends heavily on location. Worth listing on both platforms to compare demand.
User views: 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (106k+ reviews). Positive themes around quick setup and consistent monthly income for commuter-belt locations. Worth listing on both JustPark and YourParkingSpace to compare demand in your area.
Best for: Readers clearing personal belongings before letting, short-letting or selling, or needing accessible UK storage while abroad.
What it does: Self-storage across 100+ UK locations for furniture, belongings and equipment. No long-term contracts required.
Cost: Prices vary by unit size and location. A standard 25 sq ft unit (fits a bedroom's worth of furniture) typically costs £80–£130 per month. A larger 50 sq ft unit runs £150–£250 per month. Get an exact quote at bigyellow.co.uk.
Watch out for: Storage costs are easy to underestimate over time. If you're storing belongings while letting a property, factor the monthly cost into your net income calculation from the start.
User views: 4.8/5 on Trustpilot (5,000+ reviews). One of the highest-rated storage providers in the UK. Reviewers consistently highlight secure facilities, friendly staff and smooth move-in processes. Very few negative themes across the review base.
Best for: Readers who want a second self-storage option to compare with Big Yellow, or who have a Safestore facility closer to their property.
What it does: One of the UK's largest self-storage chains with 170+ locations across the UK and Europe.
Cost: Varies by unit size and location. Prices are broadly comparable with Big Yellow. Get a quote directly at safestore.co.uk.
Watch out for: Pricing and availability varies significantly by location. Always compare a local Safestore and Big Yellow quote before committing.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (thousands of reviews). Reviewers praise the clean facilities and helpful staff, though pricing and availability varies significantly by location, which is also reflected in the reviews. Always check the specific facility near you.
Best for: Readers who want a collection-and-delivery model rather than driving to a storage facility themselves.
What it does: Collects boxes or items from your door, stores them in a warehouse, and delivers back when needed. No need to visit a storage unit.
Cost: From around £6–£8 per box per month. Collection and delivery fees apply. Check current pricing on their website.
Watch out for: Better for smaller volumes of belongings than for clearing a full property. Access to stored items requires booking a delivery, so not ideal if you need frequent access.
User views: 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (6,600+ reviews). Consistently praised for friendly drivers, smooth collection and easy booking. A minority flag issues with item handling and additional charges beyond the base storage fee, read the pricing terms carefully before booking.
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.
Best for: Readers who need straightforward help with Self Assessment, non-resident landlord filing or CGT calculations after selling a UK property.
What it does: Digital platform that matches you with a UK-qualified accountant. Covers Self Assessment filing, non-resident tax questions and Capital Gains Tax calculations.
Cost: Self Assessment filing from £119. Tax advice consultations from £149. Check current pricing at taxfix.com.
Watch out for: Best suited to relatively straightforward situations. More complex scenarios involving multiple properties or international tax treaties may need a more specialist adviser.
User views: 4.8/5 on Trustpilot (7,000+ reviews). Consistently praised for fast turnaround, easy-to-use platform and helpful accountants. A minority flag inconsistency between individual accountants.
Best for: Non-resident landlords, anyone selling a UK property where CGT (Capital Gains Tax) may apply, or readers with a complex ownership history who need a specialist rather than a general accountant.
What it does: UK expat and nomad tax advisory service covering the Statutory Residence Test, non-resident landlord obligations, CGT on property sales, and leaving the UK tax-efficiently. For situations where Taxfix alone is not enough.
Cost: Initial consultations from around £250 to £500 depending on complexity. Getting this right before you sell or leave is considerably cheaper than correcting a mistake afterwards. If you want 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 advisory cost range. Come prepared with your ownership history, residency situation and any letting periods clearly documented to keep the consultation focused and cost-effective.
User views: 4.5/5 on Trustpilot, but with only 15 reviews at time of checking. The reviews that exist are positive, focusing on clear communication and specialist knowledge of UK nomad and expat tax situations. Verify current reviews and consider requesting a referral or case study before engaging.
Official Resources 📎
Permission to let: gov.uk/renting-out-a-property
Renters' Rights Act: gov.uk/guide-to-the-renters-rights-act
Non-Resident Landlord Scheme: gov.uk/tax-uk-income-live-abroad
London 90-night rule: gov.uk/guidance/short-term-lets
Deposit protection: gov.uk/tenancy-deposit-protection
WHAT WE’RE LISTENING TO
How I Built This - “Airbnb: Joe Gebbia”
Before Airbnb became a verb, it was just two broke designers in San Francisco renting out air mattresses to help cover the rent.
In this episode of How I Built This, Joe Gebbia talks through the early story of Airbnb, from a slightly odd idea during a design conference to one of the companies that changed how people move through the world.
What makes it useful here is not the startup mythology. It is the shift in how we think about homes. A spare room, empty flat or place you are not using for a few weeks can become part of someone else’s journey, and potentially fund a bit more of your own.
A good reminder that property does not always have to be static. Sometimes it can be the thing that helps you move.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
DISCLAIMER
This newsletter provides general information only and does not constitute legal, tax, or immigration advice. Visa requirements and tax rules change frequently. Always verify current requirements with official government sources and consult qualified professionals for advice specific to your situation.