Airbnb management in Bath

You own a flat or house in Bath and want it earning on Airbnb without you answering guest messages at 11pm. That's what we do. Occupaid runs your short-term let end to end, and we take 20% of what you're paid out after the platform's fees. No lock-in. Monthly rolling. If it isn't working for you, you leave.

Book a 30-minute call

Bright modern living room with a grey sectional sofa, low coffee table and floor-to-ceiling windows

Why Bath works for short lets

Bath is the only whole city in the UK listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site [1]. People come for the Roman Baths, the Georgian streets and the Royal Crescent, and they come all year, not just in August [2]. The city also has two universities, the University of Bath and Bath Spa University, which bring a steady flow of visiting parents, open days and graduations [3][4].

That doesn't mean any property will fill itself. Bath has a lot of competing listings and guests have high expectations of period properties. Good photos, sharp pricing and fast replies make the difference.

The rules in Bath right now

Short lets are legal in Bath, but there are things you need to get right.

National register (not live yet). The government is bringing in a mandatory registration scheme for short-term lets in England. GOV.UK says it's expected to start in March 2027. The details, including fees and what you'll need to provide, haven't been published [5]. We'll get you registered when it opens.
Council tax premium. Bath and North East Somerset Council has charged a 100% premium on second homes since 1 April 2025. That means double council tax on a furnished property nobody lives in, unless an exception applies [6].
Business rates instead. A holiday let in England can move to business rates if it was available for at least 140 nights and actually let for at least 70 nights. The Valuation Office Agency decides, not the council [7][8]. We keep the availability and booking records you'll need to show this.
Planning. B&NES has said it can't control short lets through local planning policy without a change in national law [9]. That doesn't rule out planning issues on a specific property, especially a listed building or a flat with a lease that bans short lets. Check your lease and your mortgage terms before you list. We'll ask.

What we do

Write and photograph-brief your listing, then put it on Airbnb (and other platforms if it makes sense)
Set and adjust nightly prices around demand, events and the season
Handle every guest message, booking request and review
Organise cleaning, laundry and turnovers between stays
Deal with problems during stays: lockouts, broken boilers, noise complaints
Keep records for the 140/70 business rates test and help with registration when it opens
Send you a clear monthly statement

What it costs

20% of your payout after platform fees. If Airbnb pays out £1,000 for a month, our fee is £200. Cleaning is charged to guests through the cleaning fee, so you're not paying for it out of the 20%. A one-off £300 set-up fee per property. Photography (if required) quoted separately. No long-term lock-in.

Bath FAQs

Do I need planning permission to Airbnb my flat in Bath?

Not automatically. B&NES has no local short-let planning policy, but whether a change of use needs permission is judged case by case, and listed buildings bring their own rules [9]. If your place is let full-time all year, get advice from the council's planning team first.

Will I pay double council tax on my Bath holiday let?

If it's a furnished second home on council tax, yes, since April 2025 [6]. If it meets the 140/70 test it can go onto business rates instead, and some properties get small business rate relief [7][8].

Is there a tourist tax in Bath?

No. There's no visitor levy in Bath at the time of writing.

Can I still use my own place sometimes?

Yes. Block the dates and we'll work around them. Just bear in mind it can affect the business rates test.

Talk to us

Book a 30-minute call. We'll look at your property, tell you honestly whether it suits short lets, and explain what we'd do with it.