Last updated: 4 Aug 2025
Meet Zac & Eve Ratcliffe
Zac and Eve Ratcliffe are property investors and serviced accommodation specialists who have successfully built and scaled a management company handling over 70 properties. Their expertise in systemisation, long-term bookings, and high-end serviced accommodation has enabled them to navigate an evolving market. In this session, they revealed what’s working in 2025 and how investors can avoid costly mistakes.
Is serviced accommodation dead? Absolutely not.
Since COVID-19, the serviced accommodation market has evolved. While some claim the strategy no longer works, Zac and Eve argue that success is still achievable—provided you approach it correctly.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that serviced accommodation is only viable for short-term stays, weekend guests, or party-goers. However, with the right systems in place, landlords and investors can achieve consistent, long-term, high-yielding bookings.
Key to success: Finding motivated sellers fast
If you're looking to expand your serviced accommodation portfolio, the first step is securing the right properties. Property Filter enables investors to find motivated sellers fast, using data-driven insights to identify high-converting off-market deals. With the right properties, you can build a sustainable, profitable portfolio without the risks associated with standard buy-to-let investments.
Find motivated sellers fast with Property Filter
Beyond the hype: Running serviced accommodation as a business
Many investors jump into serviced accommodation expecting quick returns, only to struggle with high turnover, guest issues, and operational challenges. Zac and Eve emphasise that serviced accommodation should be run like a professional business, with key elements including:
Smart marketing & positioning
Your success begins with how you position your property. The right marketing strategy attracts high-quality guests and maximises profitability.
Target long-term bookings: Many investors mistakenly focus on short stays, but long-term contractor and corporate bookings provide stability.
Use professional photography: High-quality photos significantly impact booking rates. Amateur photos lower perceived value and attract budget-conscious guests.
Optimise listings across platforms: While Airbnb is well-known, leveraging Booking.com, corporate letting platforms, and direct booking strategies ensures maximum occupancy.
Revenue management & dynamic pricing
Serviced accommodation pricing should not be static. Zac and Eve highlight the importance of active revenue management:
Adjust prices based on demand: Major events in a city (concerts, sports, business conferences) can significantly impact demand. Pricing software helps, but manual adjustments maximise profits.
Avoid the race to the bottom: Investors who continuously undercut pricing to secure bookings end up in a pricing war with competitors, leading to lower margins and poor-quality guests.
Prioritise occupancy & profit balance: A property at 100% occupancy at low rates is less profitable than a premium property with 60% occupancy and strong revenue.
Property setup & guest appeal
Zac and Eve stress that even small changes to property setup can drastically improve performance:
Zip & link beds: These allow flexible sleeping arrangements, making properties more attractive to contractors and corporate guests.
Show-home condition: Maintaining a high standard ensures better reviews and repeat bookings.
Smart investments: Features like parking spaces, washing machines, and quality linen are non-negotiable for attracting high-value guests.
Explore free resources on optimising your serviced accommodation business
Security & guest vetting: Avoiding common pitfalls
A major concern for landlords is property security. Horror stories of parties, damages, and difficult guests discourage many from considering serviced accommodation. However, proper systems eliminate these risks.
Strict deposits & ID checks: No deposit, no entry—this simple rule weeds out problematic guests.
Pre-arrival guest screening: Checking a guest’s location, age, and reason for stay helps prevent unwanted bookings.
Noise & security monitoring: Using systems like Ring doorbells and noise sensors ensures that properties remain protected.
Having these in place means fewer issues, higher property protection, and improved landlord confidence.
What works in 2025? Key trends & strategies
Focus on larger properties
Investors struggling in the current market often own small one- and two-bedroom units. Larger properties (four bedrooms and above) are performing exceptionally well due to:
Less competition: Fewer large serviced accommodation units exist, giving landlords pricing power.
Higher nightly rates: Larger properties accommodate groups, allowing for premium pricing.
Diverse demand: Attracting families, business teams, and long-term stays ensures stable revenue.
Direct booking strategies
With platforms like Airbnb charging up to 18% in fees, direct bookings significantly improve profit margins. Zac and Eve advise:
Building a direct booking website: Capturing repeat guests and referrals reduces reliance on third-party platforms.
Corporate & contractor outreach: Proactively marketing to businesses leads to consistent, long-term bookings.
Future-proofing against regulation & tax changes
With increasing regulations such as council tax premiums and new licensing requirements, landlords must prepare:
Switching to business rates: This eliminates council tax concerns.
Understanding VAT implications: Rent-to-rent operators are facing major VAT rulings that could impact profitability.
Complying with upcoming planning laws: New service accommodation regulations may limit short-term rentals in certain areas.
By staying informed and structuring their businesses correctly, investors can continue profiting from serviced accommodation despite changing laws.
Final thoughts: Success in serviced accommodation is still possible
Zac and Eve prove that serviced accommodation can thrive in 2025 if approached strategically. From securing long-term bookings to maximising revenue through smart marketing and pricing, their strategies provide a sustainable model for property investors.
Ready to take action? Here’s what to do next:
To get ahead in serviced accommodation, you need the right tools and insights. Property Filter helps investors assess deals in seconds, ensuring you find the most profitable properties with ease.
For those looking to dive deeper into serviced accommodation success, explore Zac & Eve Ratcliffe’s website for more insights and services.
And for more property investment strategies, watch the full discussion here: 🏨 2025 Success in Serviced Accommodation: Proven Strategies Revealed with Zac & Eve Ratcliffe
Additional resources:
Deal Finder's Corner is your weekly property talk show, proudly brought to you by Property Filter. Our mission is to equip you with the best resources by inviting expert guests to share the most up-to-date and effective strategies, tactics, and insights for finding and securing property deals across the UK.
