Apartment Rentals London

Start booking now. Read about the 90 day limitation on the AirBnB website.

Yeah, I know about the Airbnb 90 day policy in London. I am just unsure of the difference between a service like Airbnb and VRBO, it seems like they are the same thing. I guess Airbnb is just getting more attention...

The legal situation is that most flats in the UK are leased with a condition that permits use 'as a private residence only'. It was a few months ago that a legal case established this means they cannot be legally rented out on a short term basis. This does not affect properties owned outright (although mortgages often contain a similar clause) or where someone remains in the property but rents out a room.

London has a separate law prohibiting short-term rentals of more than 90 days over the course of a year without planning permission. This is not a new law (it dates back to the 1970s) nor one targeted at AirBnB, but hitherto AirBnB put the onus on obeying it on the properties, making out it was nothing to do with them.

We have had exceptional luck with this very professional firm, London Connection. I beleive they own all of the properties outright.

I'm not sure about the limits regarding number of days, but my issue with Airbnb was the cancellation policies set by the owners. We visited London last August and I was eager to stay in an apartment so our family (my husband and two teenagers) could have enough space. Unfortunately I found Airbnb cancellation policies to be very strict (no 100% refund the moment you press the "confirm" button on reservation). Private rental companies with apartments that I found through Rick Steve's suggestions and Google searches were either very expensive, or couldn't weren't large enough to accommodate our family. Knowing that we'd be spending the bulk of our time out of our hotel room, we opted for a Premier Inn next to the London Eye. It had little charm, but kept us within budget.

I cannot comment about the legal status of apartments in London, but wanted to mention that my family (2 kids) stayed at a clean, spacious, bright quiet apartment with fantastic wifi, and with a gigantic playground across the street, 1 block away from major bus routes and 8 minute walk to the Russell Square tube stop (Picadilly line). 2 bedrooms, 1 with king and the other with bunk beds, 1 bathroom. Grocery store within 5 minute walk. Not sure about A/C, we were there at Christmas, well heated. In Bloomsbury between the British Museum and Charles Dickens House/museum. I found it on VRBO or Homeaway. You might want to consider it: https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p476134.

Private message me if you want more info.

SuzieeQQ

Thank you for your replies, but I think I found an apartment that will accommodate the 5 of us on VRBO. Having that 3rd baby really threw a giant curveball in finding accommodations in Europe. Accommodations for 1-4 people is very easy, and anything bigger is more complicated. Thankfully the people I booked with do offer some sort of cancellation policy, and we have our travel insurance if everything implodes.

Ahhh! These responses explain why I am unable to find something for Oct w/i my budget. Have used Home Away in the past with much success. If anyone else has suggestions, I'd appreciate the help. Was trying for 2/2 with a bit of outdoor space or balcony but WOW have prices increased in a few yrs. Was able to stay in Bayswater/Notting Hill (preferred), Covent Garden & Upper Thames/St Paul areas in the past...now if I find anything, it will be wherever. Open to all ideas. THX!

We just rented an apartment in Maida Vale for 5 nights in August through Plumguide.com. We have 2 teenage sons and my husband is almost 7 feet tall so lodging is always an issue (must be a king bed, no footboards). There is a help button on the site and we told the representative what we were looking for, dates and budget. He got back to us within an hour with several choices that fit our needs. It was so easy, I highly recommend them.