If you’ve found yourself scrolling through rental listings at midnight wondering whether to commit to a twelve-month tenancy or keep things flexible with a short-term let, you are absolutely not alone. It’s one of the questions we get asked most at Braithwait, and honestly, there’s no single right answer. It really does depend on your situation.
So, let’s break it down properly.
A short-term rental is typically anything from a few nights up to around six months. Think furnished apartments, serviced accommodation, or properties listed specifically for temporary stays. They tend to come with everything you need from day one. Ranging from linen, kitchen kit, Wi-Fi and so on, all of which makes them brilliant when you need to hit the ground running.
Long-term rentals, by contrast, are your standard assured shorthold tenancies. Usually a minimum of six to twelve months, often unfurnished or part-furnished, and with a greater sense of permanence once you’re in.
There’s a reason short-term lettings have boomed in west London over the past few years. Flexibility is the big one. If you’re relocating for work and not quite sure which neighbourhood suits you yet, a short-term let buys you time to explore without the pressure of a long commitment. The same goes if you’re between properties, perhaps your purchase is taking longer than expected (we’ve all been there) or you’re waiting on a renovation to complete.
For international arrivals and corporate tenants in particular, short-term can be a godsend. You land, you have somewhere beautiful to live immediately, and you can take your time finding your forever flat in Maida Vale at your own pace.
The trade-off is that it tends to cost more per week than an equivalent long-term let. And the best short-term properties in W9 move fast. So if you spot something you love, don’t sit on it.
There is something genuinely wonderful about settling in. Knowing your home is yours for the foreseeable future, getting to know your neighbours, finding your favourite coffee spot on Clifton Road. Long-term renting allows you to actually put down roots rather than living out of a suitcase.
From a purely financial perspective, long-term lettings almost always work out cheaper on a weekly basis. Bills are typically your own to manage (which gives you more control), and landlords are generally more open to personal touches. Such as a few pictures on the wall, your own furniture. Especially when they know you’re planning to stay.
If you’re settled in your job, know the area you want to be in, and are ready to commit, a long-term tenancy is almost always the better value option.
Ask yourself a few honest questions. How certain are you about where you want to be? How long are you likely to need the property? Is the premium for flexibility genuinely worth it for your circumstances right now?
If your situation is in any way uncertain like a new job, new city, ongoing house purchase. Then short-term gives you breathing room that is genuinely worth paying for. If life is settled and you’re ready to plant yourself somewhere lovely, long-term is the smarter financial choice and, we’d argue, the more enjoyable experience.
At Braithwait we offer both, and our team is always happy to talk through what makes most sense for you specifically. No jargon, no pressure, just honest advice from people who know this patch of London inside out.
Generally anything from a few nights up to around six months. Short-term lets are typically fully furnished and include bills and Wi-Fi, making them ideal for temporary stays or people in transition.
Yes, almost always. You pay a premium for the flexibility and the fact that everything is set up and ready to go. On a weekly basis, a short-term let will typically cost more than an equivalent long-term tenancy in the same area.
Most long-term rentals are offered on an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST), usually with an initial fixed term of six or twelve months. Many tenants then stay on beyond that, either on a rolling basis or by renewing their agreement.
In some cases, yes, Particularly if you’re renting through an agent who manages both. At Braithwait we work with landlords across both markets, so if you fall in love with a property or an area, it’s always worth having a conversation.
Flexibility is the big one. Short-term lets are perfect if you’re relocating, between properties, waiting on a purchase to complete, or simply not yet sure which neighbourhood you want to settle in.
Yes – we have a dedicated short-term lettings offering in and around W9. Properties in this part of west London are particularly popular with corporate tenants and international arrivals. You can browse our current availability on our short-term rentals page.
