How a holiday home became a high-performing London rental – What overseas landlords can learn

For overseas investors, a second home or holiday home in London presents endless possibilities to grow and nurture their investment. The Powerhouse, Chelsea Waterfront flat, is a prime example of how designing a property with long-term usage in mind keeps it flexible for mixed usage that anticipates changing needs.

It was originally set up as a private holiday home for an overseas owner, with the idea that it could also work as a short-term and long-term let when not in use. Our furnishing partner, InStyle Direct, handled the interior design from the start, with long-term flexibility in mind.

Why presentation matters more than ever in London rentals

In a competitive rental market, tenants have more choice and expectations. As the searches begin online, tenants looking for sought-after properties have endless options to scroll through. What separates the properties that get enquiries from the ones that don’t is the presentation of the property.

What challenges were limiting its rental potential?

Initially the property was set up as a private overseas holiday home with a clear intention that it could also be used for short letting when not in use. The real challenge was planning for what might come next, as overseas owners frequently find the property’s end usage shift over time as circumstances change. Without thinking about that from the start, any change in direction usually means spending money on redoing the property. Our furnishing partner recognised this early and made sure every design decision accounted for a potential future transition.

What changes were made to improve the property?

Our furnishing partner handled the entire project, making it into a space that’s fit as an overseas holiday home and holds a strong performance in the rental market as well. Designing for mixed usage requires furnishing that appeals to a wider audience while keeping subtle personal touches. Neutral tones, high-quality materials, and layouts that made practical sense for daily life.

What were the results after furnishing?

Within a week of listing as a short let, the property secured a tenant and then went on to secure a long-term tenancy, generating a four-figure monthly income, proving with strategic furnishing the impact on rental income in the UK can be significant.

Why did this approach work so well?

From the outset, our furnishing partner anticipated the back-and-forth usage of the property, so designing a luxury apartment that balanced both wider tenant appeal and personal touch was the practical approach. Move-in ready homes also reduce the friction in the letting process. Tenants don’t have to imagine what they’d do with an empty space, they can see themselves living there from listings alone, which speeds up the decision-making process and reduces void days.

What can Singapore landlords take away from this?

Most Singapore landlords managing UK properties remotely are not usually on-ground to oversee everything, which makes the initial setup far more important than people often realise. What this case study shows is that when a property is designed with flexibility in mind from the start, the owner keeps their options open without having to spend again every time circumstances change. This property moved from holiday home to short let to long-term tenancy swiftly, and that kind of adaptability is genuinely worth factoring in when you’re making furnishing decisions up front.

How can overseas landlords achieve similar results?

For overseas landlords, the most effective approach is to work with a team that handles everything in one place, from furnishing and coordination through to letting strategy and ongoing property management.

For Singapore-based landlords, the Benhams Singapore team offers exactly that, a joined-up service with our furnishing partner that covers the full picture so your property performs from day one without you having to manage multiple parties from overseas. Get in touch with the team to learn more about how this approach can support your investment.