Guides Corporate lets
Is my house suitable for contractor accommodation?
What construction and project teams look for in a house, what can rule a property out, and the permissions to check first.
General information, not legal advice. England only. Last reviewed October 2026. 5 minute read.
The short version
- Location comes first: within reasonable reach of construction and infrastructure work.
- Teams want a bed each, enough bathrooms, parking for vans and somewhere to wash work clothes.
- Houses with three or more bedrooms usually suit teams best.
- We talk you through any permissions you may need, such as from your lender or insurer, as part of our assessment.
Why demand exists
Construction and infrastructure work moves around, and the people who do it often travel. The government’s infrastructure pipeline lists 734 planned projects worth around £718bn over the next decade. CITB’s 2025 workforce survey found more than 1 in 4 construction workers had worked over 50 miles from home in the past year, and around 1 in 10 in London were staying in temporary accommodation while working on their site.
Many of those teams would rather share a proper house than spend months in hotel rooms: their own space, a kitchen, parking and one base for the whole crew.
What teams look for
Location
Within a reasonable drive of where the work is, with good road links. Being near one large project helps, but being within reach of several sites is better, because projects end and new ones start.
Bedrooms and beds
A bed for each person, and ideally a room each. Twin rooms can work for some teams. Houses with three or more bedrooms usually suit best, although smaller homes can work for individuals or pairs.
Bathrooms
Early starts mean everyone needs the bathroom at once. For larger houses, at least one and a half bathrooms makes a real difference.
Parking
Off-street parking or easy street parking for vans and work vehicles. Permit-only streets with no space for visitors can rule a house out.
Practical, durable furnishing
- A washing machine and ideally a dryer, for work clothes.
- A kitchen equipped for cooking proper meals, with enough fridge and freezer space.
- Reliable broadband.
- Hard-wearing floors near the entrance, and space for boots and kit.
- Easy self check-in, as arrivals often come late or at short notice.
What can rule a property out
- A rural or remote location with little construction or infrastructure activity nearby.
- No realistic parking.
- Many bedrooms sharing a single bathroom.
- Lease, mortgage or insurance terms that do not allow this kind of letting.
- Planning or licensing restrictions that would apply to how it is used.
Permissions to check first
- Mortgage lender: many residential and buy-to-let mortgages need consent for company or short-term lets.
- Insurer: standard landlord policies may not cover company or short-term lets. Tell your insurer how the property will be used.
- Freeholder: for leasehold property, the lease may restrict letting or business use.
- Planning: in London, letting a home short term (stays of under 90 nights) for more than 90 nights a year in total needs planning permission. Some councils outside London also have rules or policies on short lets.
- Licensing: depending on the number of occupants and how the house is used, HMO or selective licensing can apply. Check with your council.
We go through each of these with you during our assessment, before anything is signed.
Find out whether your house would suit
We check construction and infrastructure activity near your property and tell you plainly whether it suits contractor corporate lets. If it does not, we will say so and suggest what might work instead.
Questions landlords ask
What makes a house suitable for contractors?
Being within reasonable reach of construction or infrastructure work, a bed for each person, enough bathrooms, parking for vans, a washing machine and a well-equipped kitchen. Houses with three or more bedrooms usually suit teams best.
Can a smaller house or flat work for contractor stays?
Sometimes. Smaller homes can suit individuals or pairs, especially close to a large project. Larger teams usually need a house with three or more bedrooms.
Do I need permission to let my house to contractors?
You may need consent from your mortgage lender, insurer and, for leasehold property, your freeholder. Planning and licensing rules can also apply depending on the area and how the house is used.
Does the London 90-night rule apply to contractor lets?
It applies to short-term lets in London, meaning stays of under 90 consecutive nights. Letting a home that way for more than 90 nights a year in total needs planning permission. Longer stays are not short-term lets under this rule.
Do you take properties in rural areas?
Usually not, but it depends on the planned works in the area. We focus on locations within reach of construction and infrastructure work, so rural properties with little activity nearby are rarely a good fit. If a major project is planned close by, such as new housing, roads, rail or energy works, a rural property can work well.
Sources: NISTA, Infrastructure pipeline update (2026). CITB, Workforce Mobility and Skills in the UK Construction Sector 2025. Tower Hamlets Council, Short term lets. This guide covers England only and is general information, not legal advice. For your own situation, speak to a solicitor or a landlord association.
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