Southampton

As of June 2026, Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester have 943 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 10% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Southampton generates £21K per year. High-performing properties earn £40K/year, while low-performing properties earn £7K/year. The stark variance suggests that market saturation among average units contrasts with a select tier of high-demand inventory that captures significantly larger revenue shares.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Southampton. Average annual revenue is £21K with 41% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to £40K/year. The gap between top earners and the average indicates that revenue potential is heavily concentrated, reflecting a market where specific assets maintain strong performance despite broader revenue declines.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Southampton is 41%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of £138, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of £37 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Southampton, with annual revenue of £38K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Southampton market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Southampton area. Southampton: Moderate. Planning permission required for whole-property lets over 90 days/year. Owner-occupancy exemptions exist. Enforcement increasing but inconsistent. Portsmouth: Moderate. Planning permission needed for primary residence conversion. No strict caps but HMO licensing applies to some. Enforcement complaint-driven, patchy. Winchester: Moderate. Planning permission required for material change of use. 90-day rule for whole properties. Growing enforcement through complaints, not proactive. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Southampton Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 10% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 18%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The contraction in both metrics points to a market adjustment where declining unit counts are mirroring the reduced revenue per available property.

Launch around June, 2-3 months before peak fall season (September peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -67% 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 Southampton listings include: Kitchen (94%), Tv (89%), Washing Machine (81%), Heating (77%), Private Yard (43%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pets Allowed, Hot Tub, Bbq, with Pets Allowed properties earning approximately 37% more (£41K/year vs £30K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Southampton over the last 12 months: May: £1K, June: £1K, July: £1K, August: £1K, September: £1K, October: £1K, November: £896, December: £976, January: £716, February: £749, March: £983, 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 Southampton is £138, up 13% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average £90/night, 2-bedroom properties average £152/night, 3-bedroom properties average £195/night, 4+ bedroom properties average £313/night. Rates peak in September and are lowest in January.

Guests in Southampton book an average of 28 days in advance, down 22% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 26 days, 2-bedroom: 29 days, 3-bedroom: 35 days, 4+ bedroom: 35 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Southampton Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 10%, revenue per listing decreased 18%, occupancy fell 8%, average nightly rates increased 13%, and lead time decreased 22%. Increased nightly rates paired with shorter lead times suggest a shift toward more impulsive, short-term booking patterns.

In Southampton, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Sunday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 9% higher occupancy than weekdays.