Airbnb and short-let management in Cambridge.
Graduation weekends, visiting academics and families booking whole homes near the colleges. We turn that demand into money in your account, from 12% + VAT.
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What a Cambridge 4-bed home takes in bookings.
Market figures first, then what's left after our fee, so you know exactly where the numbers come from.
The average 4+ bedroom short let in Cambridge takes about £49,000 a year in bookings.
Source: BNBCalc, Cambridge market data as of May 2026 (Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket), covering Airbnb, VRBO and Booking.com listings. These are BNBCalc's estimates of bookings before platform fees, cleaning and running costs. "After our fee" uses our lowest rate, 12% + VAT, for full-time hosts on a three-year agreement. Rates go up to 20% + VAT. Your home may earn more or less depending on its size, location and season. These are estimates, not guarantees, so please do your own research before you decide.
Get my free valuationA university city with visitors all year.
Cambridge draws tourists, visiting academics, conference guests and families coming for open days and graduations. Groups want whole houses near the centre, and larger homes earn the most: BNBCalc puts 4+ bedroom homes at about £49,000 a year in bookings, against about £25,000 for the average listing, with 4+ bedroom homes averaging £318 a night.
On weekdays, demand comes from researchers, hospital and science park staff, contractors and people relocating to the city. They're exactly the guests our 30-day stays are built for.
Areas we cover- Spring and summerTourist season and the busiest months for whole homes.
- Graduation and open daysFamilies book homes near the colleges for the big days.
- Term timeVisiting academics, conferences and relocations keep weekdays busy.
- SaturdaysBNBCalc's data shows Saturday is the busiest night for bookings.
A local manager in Cambridge, not a call centre.
Your home in Cambridge is looked after by a local manager from the Houst network who lives and works in the area. One person who knows your home, your guests and you.
One person, not a queue
No ticket numbers and no explaining your home to a stranger every time. Your manager already knows which key sticks and where the stopcock is.
Knows your area
Your manager knows when your city fills up, which streets guests book first, and which trades actually turn up on time.
Eyes on your home
Your home is checked after every stay, and on medium-term stays you get a photo report at least every 30 days, so you never have to wonder how it's looking.
Everything starts with a free discovery call with our team on Google Meet.
What the law asks of you, and what we handle.
Short-let rules change from time to time. Here is what applies in Cambridge, and we'll keep you up to date once your home is live.
Night limits
No cap in CambridgeThe 90-night-a-year limit only applies in London. You can let your Cambridge home for as many nights as you want.
Planning
Check before you startLetting a whole home that isn't your main residence all year round can count as a change of use, and the local council (Cambridge City Council, or South Cambridgeshire District Council for the surrounding villages) decides each case on its own facts. We check what applies to your home before it goes live.
Council tax
Second homes pay doubleCambridge City Council charges a 100% council tax premium on furnished second homes that are no-one's sole or main residence, so they pay double. Homes let often enough can pay business rates instead.
National short-let register
Being introducedEngland is introducing a national register of short-term and holiday lets. Once it's running, booking sites are expected to ask for a registration number on every listing. We'll handle the registration for you.
Safety
We check at onboardingEvery short let needs a written fire risk assessment and working smoke alarms, plus carbon monoxide alarms where needed and an annual gas safety certificate if there's gas. An EPC is needed if your home is let for four months or more a year, which covers most full-time short lets. A five-yearly electrical check (EICR) isn't a legal requirement for short lets in England, but Guestwise asks every host for one, and most insurers expect it.
Tax and business rates
Speak to your accountantShort-let income is taxable, and the old furnished holiday let tax rules no longer apply. If your home is available for 140 nights or more a year and actually let for 70 or more, it may pay business rates instead of council tax.
Renters' Rights Act
No tenancy, no ASTGuests stay under a licence for up to 30 days at a time with a set checkout date. We keep access to clean and inspect your home, and on medium-term stays we photograph it at least every 30 days. What landlords in England can do now.
Cambridge landlords ask us.
How much can a 4-bed home earn in Cambridge?
BNBCalc puts the average 4+ bedroom short let in Cambridge at about £49,000 a year in bookings (market data as of May 2026, covering Cambridge, Ely and Newmarket), before platform fees, cleaning and running costs. Get your instant valuation for your exact address.
How much does Airbnb management cost in Cambridge?
Guestwise charges from 12% + VAT of host payouts for full-time hosts on a three-year agreement, and up to 20% + VAT. That one fee covers your listings, pricing, guest messages, cleaning and repairs arranged for you, and monthly reports.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can let in Cambridge?
No. The 90-night limit only applies in London. Cambridge has no cap on nights, although planning rules still apply.
Do second homes pay more council tax in Cambridge?
Yes. Cambridge City Council charges a 100% premium on furnished second homes that are no-one's sole or main residence, so they pay double.
Do I need to register my Cambridge property?
England is introducing a national register of short-term and holiday lets. Once it's running, booking sites are expected to ask for a registration number on every listing, and we'll handle the registration for you.
How is a short let different from a long let?
We don't use ASTs or tenancy agreements. Guests stay under a licence for up to 30 days at a time, with a set checkout date, and we keep access to clean and inspect your home. This is general information, not legal advice. For advice on your own home, speak to a solicitor.
Which parts of Cambridge do you cover?
The city and nearby villages, including Mill Road, Newnham, Chesterton, De Freville, Trumpington, Cherry Hinton and Grantchester. Send us your postcode and we'll confirm.
What brings guests to Cambridge
- The university and colleges. Open days, graduations and visiting academics bring families and long-stay guests through the year.
- Tourism. The colleges, the river and the city centre draw visitors in spring and summer, and groups book whole homes.
- Science and medicine. The science parks and hospitals bring researchers, staff and contractors on weekdays.
- Within reach of London. Visitors and relocating professionals use Cambridge as a base.
We add these to your calendar and price those nights to match. BNBCalc's data shows Saturday is the busiest night for bookings, so we open your peak dates early.
Guides for Cambridge owners
Find out what your Cambridge home could earn
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