Portsmouth

As of May 2026, Portsmouth, Southsea, Ryde have 1,165 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 5% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Portsmouth generates £26K per year. High-performing properties earn £55K/year, while low-performing properties earn £8K/year. This massive revenue variance suggests a market heavily segmented by asset capability, where top-tier listings capture disproportionate demand despite a 5% contraction in total market supply.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Portsmouth. Average annual revenue is £26K with 38% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £55K/year. An occupancy rate of 38% alongside declining supply indicates a market where profitability is increasingly tied to capturing limited seasonal or niche demand rather than broad volume.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Portsmouth is 38%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £170, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £48 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Portsmouth, with annual revenue of £50K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Portsmouth market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Portsmouth area. Portsmouth: Moderate. No specific STR licensing but planning permission may be required for change of use. Council investigates complaints. Some enforcement of HMO rules. Southsea: Moderate. Part of Portsmouth - same rules apply. Planning permission needed for material change of use. Complaint-driven enforcement, particularly in dense areas. Ryde: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or licensing. Planning rules apply for material change of use. Minimal enforcement, hosts operate freely. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Portsmouth Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 5% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 7%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The simultaneous drop in supply and revenue metrics reflects a market recalibrating as underperforming inventory exits, effectively stabilizing the competitive landscape.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak summer season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 8% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (November-January) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Portsmouth listings include: Kitchen (94%), Tv (90%), Washing Machine (78%), Heating (74%), Pets Allowed (41%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Hot Tub, Washing Machine, Bbq, with Hot Tub properties earning approximately 95% more (£67K/year vs £34K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Portsmouth over the last 12 months: May: £2K, June: £2K, July: £2K, August: £2K, September: £1K, October: £1K, November: £1K, December: £1K, January: £807, February: £921, 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 Portsmouth is £170, up 16% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £104/night, 2-bedroom properties average £143/night, 3-bedroom properties average £210/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £364/night. Rates peak in August and are lowest in January.

Guests in Portsmouth book an average of 29 days in advance, down 25% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 25 days, 2-bedroom: 29 days, 3-bedroom: 33 days, 4+ bedroom: 37 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Portsmouth Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 5%, revenue per listing decreased 7%, occupancy fell 8%, average nightly rates increased 16%, and lead time decreased 25%. A 16% rate hike paired with lower occupancy and shorter booking windows suggests a shift toward more impulsive, price-sensitive travel behavior.

In Portsmouth, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 24% higher occupancy than weekdays.