Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs present one of the most interesting property investment markets in London. With a unique mix of corporate demand, modern apartment buildings, and strong transport links, many landlords consider short-letting through Airbnb as a way to maximise returns.
But E14 isn’t a “simple” short-let market.
The 90-night rule, strict building restrictions, and the needs of a diverse tenant base mean that landlords must think carefully about which strategy delivers the best balance of income, compliance, and property longevity.
In this guide, we’ll take a clear, practical look at the two dominant approaches:
And most importantly: which strategy actually works best in Canary Wharf & the Isle of Dogs.
Stays of 1–28 nights, high turnover, premium nightly rates.
Best known for:
Stays of 30–180+ nights, fewer turnovers, more stable revenue.
Typical guests:
Both models work well in E14 — but not for every property, and not in every building.
Short-term letting is financially attractive — when done in the right environment.
Pros:
Strong, particularly for 1- and 2-bedroom modern flats with good finishes.
Despite the high income potential, E14’s unique conditions mean STR often comes with serious limitations.
Short-term lets in London are limited to 90 nights per calendar year unless planning permission is granted — something extremely rare in Tower Hamlets, especially in large residential towers.
The majority of Canary Wharf and Isle of Dogs buildings have leases that explicitly forbid:
Even when the lease wording is ambiguous, management companies often enforce restrictions aggressively.
High-rise buildings add real-world friction:
High-density living means complaints escalate quickly.
Short-lets cause:
These factors can eat into profit margins if not carefully managed.
Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs benefit from a rare combination:
This makes E14 one of the most robust mid-term letting markets in the UK.
Most leaseholders are allowed to rent on terms above 90 days without issue.
This bypasses the short-let restrictions that block many Airbnb hosts.
Mid-term stays (30+ days) do not count as short-term letting.
This means:
Mid-term guests take care of properties more responsibly than short-term tourists.
While nightly rates are lower than STR, total annual income often exceeds traditional ASTs by 20–40%.
Professionals relocating to London for work typically:
Concierge teams and management companies prefer predictable, longer-term guests.
There is less suspicion and far fewer complaints.
It depends on the property — but in many cases, the hybrid approach outperforms everything else.
Example for a 1-bed:
Even with high rates, the cap keeps total annual income limited.
Example:
Consistent, compliant, and high-earning.
Total annual revenue: ~£52,400
This is why the hybrid model has become the dominant strategy for serious E14 investors.
You get:
Always check whether your lease allows short-letting.
Mid-term stays usually remain fully compliant.
Some buildings quietly tolerate short-letting; most do not.
Mid-term is generally welcomed.
Short-lets involve:
Mid-term letting is operationally lighter.
STR wears down furniture at a much faster rate.
Mid-term is gentler on the space.
E14 attracts serious professionals.
Setting up your property for this demographic yields excellent results.
Mid-term guests blend into the building.
Short-let guests are noticed immediately.
For most properties — especially leasehold apartments — the mid-term or hybrid model offers the best combination of:
✔ High income
✔ Full compliance
✔ Lower risk
✔ Better guests
✔ Smoother building relations
✔ Less wear-and-tear
✔ More predictable revenue
Short-term lets still offer value, especially for freehold houses and compliant buildings, but the 90-night rule limits their standalone viability.
In E14, the most successful landlords are those who combine carefully timed short-lets with strong mid-term occupancy, aligning with the expectations of corporate and relocation markets.