East Sussex

As of May 2026, Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings have 1,265 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 13% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in East Sussex generates £23K per year. High-performing properties earn £54K/year, while low-performing properties earn £9K/year. This significant revenue spread, combined with a 13% contraction in supply, suggests that top-tier assets are capturing a larger share of a shrinking pool of demand, leaving laggards increasingly vulnerable.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in East Sussex. Average annual revenue is £23K with 38% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £54K/year. The performance gap indicates that profitability is highly polarized, as the market correction in supply has not yet stabilized aggregate revenue despite lower competition.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in East Sussex is 38%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £169, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £42 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in East Sussex, with annual revenue of £57K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the East Sussex market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the East Sussex area. Brighton: Moderate. Planning permission required for STRs over 90 days/year. Article 4 directions restrict some conversions. Enforcement increasing with complaints but many operate informally. Eastbourne: Lenient. No specific STR regulations beyond standard business requirements. Planning rules apply to material change of use. Light enforcement, largely complaint-driven. Hastings: Moderate. Article 4 direction requires planning permission for new STRs in some areas. Registration discussed but not implemented. Moderate enforcement focused on problem properties. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The East Sussex Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 13% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 15%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics, suggesting that despite reduced inventory, the market is experiencing a proportional softening in consumer spending power.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak summer season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 5% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (February-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in East Sussex listings include: Kitchen (89%), Tv (86%), Heating (76%), Washing Machine (70%), Private Yard (45%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Bbq, Washing Machine, Tv, with Bbq properties earning approximately 117% more (£74K/year vs £34K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in East Sussex over the last 12 months: May: £1K, June: £1K, July: £1K, August: £2K, September: £1K, October: £1K, November: £982, December: £1K, January: £809, February: £933, March: £1K, April: £2K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in East Sussex is £169, up 14% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £112/night, 2-bedroom properties average £152/night, 3-bedroom properties average £195/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £506/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in September.

Guests in East Sussex book an average of 35 days in advance, down 24% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 33 days, 2-bedroom: 37 days, 3-bedroom: 37 days, 4+ bedroom: 44 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the East Sussex Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 13%, revenue per listing decreased 15%, occupancy fell 8%, average nightly rates increased 14%, and lead time decreased 24%. These metrics reveal a market shifting toward shorter booking windows and higher price sensitivity, where inventory scarcity is failing to offset declining occupancy.

In East Sussex, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 30% higher occupancy than weekdays.