Survival in markets with strict short-term rental regulations comes down to knowing when to switch between short, mid, or long-term rental modes to offset restrictions and keep revenue steady.
That’s the strategy used by Your AirHost, a UK-based property management company that began in London and has since expanded into nearby cities, operating with a mix of stay types to navigate and overcome strict regulations.
We interviewed Stefan Hoffelner, co-founder and CEO of Your AirHost, as part of our ongoing Founder Interview series.
In our conversation, Stefan shared how Your AirHost grew from a single property to nearly 250 under management through flexible operations, smart geographic expansion, and a hospitality-first mindset.
We’ve outlined the key lessons property managers can take from his journey.
From One Property to 30 in Six Months: How It All Started
Stefan’s story begins with a single property purchased using money he inherited from his grandmother. He compared long-term rental returns with short-lets: Long-term AST quote: ~£700 per month, first month of short-lets: ~£3,500.
The challenge was scale; he couldn’t buy multiple properties, so he shifted to a management model instead of ownership. Together with his business partner, he launched Your AirHost and grew rapidly because of three early levers:
- A strong sales background: both co-founders knew how to convert landlord inquiries.
- AdWords as a lead engine: they generated consistent landlord interest at low cost.
- A focus on process: they hired experts across guest communication, operations, finance, and onboarding.
Within six months, they were managing 30+ properties, a growth Stefan credits largely to converting leads effectively and delivering on what was promised.
Growing Beyond London: Working With (Not Against) Regulations
Your AirHost began as a London-focused operation. But very quickly, the 90-day rule created friction: London owners typically hired them only while away for 3, 4 months, meaning contracts ended as soon as owners returned, and shortened the lifecycle of each client.
The signal was clear: Remaining London-only would cap growth. Stefan began expanding into towns and cities outside the M25, areas where:
- There is no 90-day cap, enabling year-round STR revenue
- The team could still reach properties quickly for emergencies
- Short-term rentals wildly outperform long-lets
One standout example is Slough, which works exceptionally well because of its:
- Large trading estate (the biggest in Europe),
- Proximity to Heathrow,
- Excellent transport links (M4, M25, fast trains),
- Strong corporate demand.
Takeaway for Property Managers
When regulations tighten, your most powerful lever may be geography. Look for nearby markets where:
- Restrictions don’t limit you
- STR returns clearly beat long-lets
- You can realistically maintain quality on the ground
This combination helped Your AirHost build a longer-lasting, more predictable client base.
Why Their Flexible, Owner-Centric Model Works
One of Your AirHost’s biggest differentiators is how they structure their agreements. Instead of multi-year lock-ins, they offer: Monthly rolling agreements:
This reduces friction for owners, especially long-let landlords curious about STR but nervous about commitment.
- Low barrier to entry: owners can “try before they commit.”
- Better conversions: more owners say yes when the risk is low.
- Natural long-term retention: once they see results, they choose to stay.
Takeaway for Property Managers
Flexibility can be a conversion tool, especially when entering conversations with long-term landlords.
Simple Processes Done Well: The Foundation for Every Stay Type
Across short-term, mid-term, and corporate stays, Stefan’s philosophy remains consistent:
“There’s no magic. It’s simple processes, repeated well.”
Those simple processes include:
- Warm, clear communication
- A clean, well-maintained property
- Reliable amenities that work exactly as advertised
- Small touches that show you listened (notes, snacks, dog treats, workspace extras)
These early gestures set the tone and make guests more forgiving if issues arise later. Strong reviews, in turn, become the foundation for success across all stay types.
What Actually Changes When You Add Mid-Term Rentals
While the fundamentals are similar, mid-term rentals introduce a different operating reality.
1. Frequency drops significantly- Mid-term bookings (30–180 days) are much less frequent than short stays. This means your property must stand out more on:
- Workspace setup
- Wi-Fi reliability
- Amenities for daily living
- Practical comfort
2. Guests conduct deeper due diligence- A 3-month guest will always be more selective than a weekend guest.
3. The workflow changes, especially on Zoopla– Unlike Airbnb or Booking.com:
- Guests request viewings
- You need processes for scheduling
- The sales motion is slower and more hands-on
This part of the business required Your AirHost to build new internal workflows to support screenings, viewings, and longer-term communication cycles.
Takeaway for Property Managers
Mid-term isn’t just STR with a longer calendar. It requires:
- New distribution channels
- New workflows
- Stronger listing positioning
- And patience
Why Guest Profiles Matter More Than You Think
Your AirHost manages everything from Heathrow studios to Mayfair townhouses. With such variety, no single guest type exists, so segmentation becomes essential.
Understanding who stays where helps them choose:
- Which amenities to highlight
- How to position listings
- Which platforms to use
- How to tailor direct booking outreach
Examples Stefan shared: Large homes outside London often attract tradesmen vans, parking, and multiple beds. Central flats attract corporate travelers or mid-term relocations.
Takeaway for Property Managers
- Don’t market everything to everyone.
- Know your guest profiles and shape your strategy accordingly.
The Trade-Offs: What Gets Harder as You Diversify
To avoid painting only the upside, Stefan also highlighted challenges:
Multiple stay types mean multiple workflows
Short-term, mid-term, and corporate each require different messaging, distribution, operations, and sales processes.
New geographies require reliable on-the-ground teams
Before expanding anywhere, Your AirHost had to ensure:
- Cleaners were reliable
- Maintenance was responsive
- Local suppliers were vetted
Takeaway for Property Managers
Before expanding, make sure you have reliable teams, clear workflows, and the capacity to maintain consistency across locations and booking types. Growth only works if quality scales with it.
For property managers navigating the pressures of regulations, competition, or seasonality, Stefan’s journey shows the power of a portfolio built on adaptability rather than a single playbook.
You can get in touch with Stefan at YourAirHost via [email protected] or visit the company website at https://www.yourairhost.co.uk/.
Snigdha Parghan is a Content Marketer at RSU by PriceLabs, where she creates articles, manages daily social media, and repurposes news and analysis into podcasts and video content for short-term rental professionals. With a focus on technology, operations, and marketing, Snigdha helps property managers stay informed and adapt to industry shifts.
Related Articles:
Italy Moves to Scrap Tax Break on Short-Term Rentals, Prompting Fierce Debate
Hostaway Hits $1B Valuation, Dallas Pushes Rental Ban Ahead of FIFA, San Diego Mulls $5K/Bedroom Tax
Budapest’s 6th District to Ban Rentals, Evolve Snaps Up 1,000 Former Vacasa Homes, and Airbnb-Friendly Apartments Cross 1,300 Buildings
Maui Inches Toward Rental Ban, Bali Targets Unlicensed Villas, and PriceLabs gets Recognition
