Plymouth

As of May 2026, Plymouth, Dartmoor, Salcombe have 972 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 16% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Plymouth generates £22K per year. High-performing properties earn £47K/year, while low-performing properties earn £9K/year. The substantial variance between top and bottom performers suggests that despite an overall 16% reduction in market supply, revenue capture remains highly polarized, favoring units that effectively distinguish themselves within the current 37% occupancy climate.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Plymouth. Average annual revenue is £22K with 37% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £47K/year. A 16% contraction in supply suggests the market is shedding underperforming inventory, though the revenue gap highlights that profitability is increasingly concentrated among a smaller subset of listings capable of outperforming the 37% occupancy baseline.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Plymouth is 37%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £158, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £40 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Plymouth, with annual revenue of £44K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Plymouth market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Plymouth area. Plymouth: Lenient. Planning permission needed for entire home rentals (change of use), but enforcement is minimal. Many hosts operate without permission. Light oversight. Dartmoor: Lenient. Within National Park, planning rules apply but enforcement is limited. Holiday lets common, minimal active monitoring of compliance. Salcombe: Moderate. Planning permission required for change of use to holiday let. Some enforcement due to housing concerns, but many operate. Growing scrutiny on conversions. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Plymouth Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 16% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 20%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The simultaneous contraction in both supply and revenue suggests that while competition has thinned, the remaining market is adjusting to lower demand levels, maintaining a equilibrium that limits speculative growth.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak summer season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -19% 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 Plymouth listings include: Tv (90%), Kitchen (85%), Washing Machine (83%), Heating (70%), Parking (41%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Bbq, Hot Tub, Washing Machine, with Bbq properties earning approximately 40% more (£43K/year vs £31K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Plymouth over the last 12 months: May: £1K, June: £1K, July: £2K, August: £2K, September: £1K, October: £1K, November: £791, December: £1K, January: £672, February: £841, March: £1K, April: £1K. 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 Plymouth is £158, up 4% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £111/night, 2-bedroom properties average £143/night, 3-bedroom properties average £186/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £361/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in November.

Guests in Plymouth book an average of 31 days in advance, down 25% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 29 days, 2-bedroom: 31 days, 3-bedroom: 35 days, 4+ bedroom: 36 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Plymouth Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 16%, revenue per listing decreased 20%, occupancy fell 3%, average nightly rates increased 4%, and lead time decreased 25%. These metrics reflect a shift toward shorter booking windows and thinner margins, indicating that hosts are facing increased pressure to capture demand in a more reactive, fast-paced environment.

In Plymouth, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Sunday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 14% higher occupancy than weekdays.