Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs have become two of the most in-demand short-let locations in London. With their modern buildings, riverside homes, excellent transport links and constant flow of professionals, it’s no surprise many landlords in E14 are exploring the idea of running an Airbnb.
But London — and Tower Hamlets in particular — has strict rules around short-letting. The biggest challenge for new hosts is understanding:
This guide breaks down everything a landlord needs to know before launching a short-let in Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs.
Airbnb hosting is legal across London as long as you comply with local regulations. The core piece of legislation that applies to all E14 hosts is:
Entire-home listings can only be let on a short-term basis for up to 90 nights per calendar year without planning permission.
A “short-term let” is defined as a stay under 90 consecutive days.
Most landlords assume this is an Airbnb rule — but it’s actually written into the Deregulation Act 2015 and applies across all platforms, including Booking.com, VRBO, and direct bookings.
Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs have a high concentration of modern apartment blocks, which means:
Many landlords think, “If Airbnb lets me set my listing to 365 nights, I’m fine.”
That’s incorrect — planning permission is required if you exceed the 90-night cap.
Tower Hamlets has been one of the more proactive councils when it comes to:
This is especially true in high-density areas like Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, where:
Without planning permission, the property is considered to have undergone an unauthorised material change of use.
Consequences can include:
It’s a common misconception that “everyone goes over and nothing happens.”
In E14, enforcement is very real.
Yes — but approval is rare.
Tower Hamlets’ planning department generally rejects applications to turn residential homes into full-year short-term accommodation.
Applications in Canary Wharf residential towers (e.g., Pan Peninsula, Landmark, Millharbour, Marsh Wall developments) are especially unlikely to succeed.
Very rarely — usually only where a property has a unique layout or operating model that mitigates neighbour disturbance (e.g., completely self-contained units with private entrances).
Even if a landlord intends to stay under 90 nights, another issue commonly blocks Airbnb use in Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs:
Typical lease restrictions include:
These clauses are heavily enforced by:
The reasons are understandable:
This is a major factor in E14 because many developments were explicitly designed for long-term residents, not transient occupancy.
Some landlords think they can “fly under the radar” by:
But in Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, this almost always fails.
A single complaint from a neighbour or concierge is enough to trigger investigations.
Short-letting is typically allowed when:
Some modern build-to-rent style developments do allow short-letting, but they are rare.
Essential for avoiding disputes.
Houses are uncommon in Canary Wharf but more common in parts of the Isle of Dogs (Millwall, Mudchute).
Freehold houses often present the best opportunity for compliant STR.
This is essential unless planning permission has been granted.
Many buy-to-let mortgage providers explicitly prohibit holiday letting.
Legal compliance is only one part of deciding whether to run an Airbnb.
In Canary Wharf and the Isle of Dogs, landlords should also consider:
Most buildings require prior notice of guests or pre-registration.
Some forbid key safes near the building.
E14 can be difficult for drop-offs, especially near South Quay and Aspen Way.
High-rise apartments require precise cleaner scheduling because lift delays and fob access complicate same-day turnovers.
With dense residential blocks, noise complaints carry more weight with building management.
Weekdays tend to attract business and contractor stays, while weekends attract couples and tourists.
Understanding these realities helps landlords determine whether STR suits their property, or whether a 30–90+ day mid-term strategy is more appropriate.
Yes — when operated correctly.
To stay compliant, a landlord must ensure:
✔ The building lease allows short-letting
✔ The building management company approves
✔ Mortgage and insurance policies permit it
✔ The property does not exceed 90 nights per year
✔ The operation does not disturb neighbours
✔ Tower Hamlets’ planning, licensing and HMO rules are respected
For many E14 landlords, the rules mean the most sustainable strategy blends:
This approach maximises income while staying fully compliant.