Winter lets in Alum Chine
Alum Chine's summer ends sharply in October, so its furnished flats need a winter plan: dog walkers, wintering couples, remote workers and families between homes from November to March, then back to families by Easter.
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- Since 2018 letting in Bournemouth
A winter let at Alum Chine turns the empty half of a holiday flat's year into income: a different guest from November to March, a monthly price, a flat prepared for cliff-top weather, and an end date that hands it back to the families by Easter. We let it through the Flexiestays platform, Bournemouth's number one for winter and long stays. This is the Alum Chine detail of our winter lets service.
Who takes Alum Chine winter lets
- Dog owners, once the summer restrictions end and the whole beach is open to dogs, with the promenade flat in both directions.
- Couples wintering by the sea, who want a month or two of sea air with Westbourne's shops up the chine.
- Remote workers, swapping a city flat for a desk facing the bay.
- Families between homes, relocating for work or living near a renovation in Westbourne or Branksome.
- Christmas visitors, staying a week near relatives in Westbourne and Poole.
How the flat keeps earning
The summer rate means nothing in November. We price winter by the week and the month, with heating and electricity built in, and keep Christmas and New Year as a short peak. A flat lived in through January and February is heated and aired, which protects it from the damp that empty sea-facing flats suffer. At the time of writing Flexiestays charges 8% on the bookings it brings to managed properties.
The 28-night line and the 140 and 70 test
At the time of writing BCP Council charges a 100% council tax premium on furnished second homes. A self-catering property available for 140 nights and let for 70 can be rated for business rates instead, and only lets of 28 nights or less count towards the 70. At Alum Chine the summer weeks usually carry the test, so winter stays of a month or more add income rather than repair a shortfall. A guest who moves in as their only home may become a tenant, so we use the right agreement for each stay; this is not legal advice. The winter lets guide explains more.
Preparing an Alum Chine flat for winter
Swap the summer set-up for a winter one: a desk, good bedding, an airer, storage, and a towel by the door for dogs. Check the windows, seals and balcony doors, and look for condensation in rooms that face the sea. Read the lease, because managed blocks here often restrict letting and pets.
Related Alum Chine pages
For guests, see long term lets in Alum Chine. For a year-round tenancy instead, see letting agents in Alum Chine and property management in Alum Chine. For a figure, see property valuation in Alum Chine or selling your property in Alum Chine. The Alum Chine area page covers the neighbourhood, and winter lets in Bournemouth the whole town.
The Alum Chine property market
Alum Chine is the cliff top and wooded chine below Westbourne, where purpose-built blocks and converted villas sit a short walk from one of Bournemouth's quieter beaches. Flats here let to couples, older tenants and families who want the sea on foot, and sell to downsizers, second-home owners and buyers who pay for a view.
Alum Chine has one of the sharpest seasonal drops in Bournemouth. Its beach, play park and lifeguards sell family weeks from Easter to September, and when the school holidays end the short bookings fall away. A holiday flat with no winter plan can stand empty from November to Easter while the council tax premium runs.
Two things keep it lettable. From October the summer dog restrictions on the main beaches lift, and the stretch towards Branksome is open to dogs all year, so the sand belongs to walkers. And Westbourne's shops, pharmacies and buses are a walk up the chine, so a guest can live here for a month without hardship.
The guests who take a winter let are dog owners, couples wintering by the sea, remote workers, and families relocating or renovating nearby. At the time of writing, only lets of 28 nights or less count towards the 70 let nights in the business rates test, which at Alum Chine the summer usually carries.
Who rents and buys in Alum Chine
- A quieter beach. Alum Chine is calmer than the sand by the pier even in August. Couples and older tenants choose it for that, and buyers pay for a view of it.
- Dog owners. The beach west of Alum Chine towards Branksome stays open to dogs all year, while the main beaches close to them in summer. Tenants with dogs look here first, where the lease allows pets.
- Downsizers and second homes. Flats with a lift, a balcony and a sea view suit people leaving family houses and buyers from further afield who want a coastal base. They keep the sales market firm.
- Westbourne up the hill. The village's shops and buses make an Alum Chine flat workable for daily life, so it lets for a year as readily as for a summer.
Let furnished, from 28 nights, all year round.
A furnished flat in Alum Chine does not have to sit on a twelve-month tenancy or empty from November. Through the group's platform, Flexiestays, it can be let to contractors, relocations, hospital staff and visiting families for a month or more at a time.
- Stays of a month to several months
- Guests looking for somewhere to live, not a holiday
- Fills the gaps between tenancies and summers
Letting your property in Alum Chine, step by step
A free valuation
We visit, read the lease and the certificates, and give you a rent range for the property in Alum Chine with the reasons, plus our fees in writing.
Marketing and referencing
Photographs, a floor plan and the listing go out to the portals and our registered tenants. We show the property and reference every adult before you accept anyone.
Move in, then managed
Tenancy agreement, deposit protection, certificates and a photographed inventory on the day. With management, we collect the rent, inspect and arrange repairs.
Winter lets in Alum Chine: questions
Can an Alum Chine holiday flat earn in winter?
Yes, from a different guest at a different price. From November families stop booking, and the flat has to suit people staying weeks or months: dog owners, wintering couples, remote workers and families between homes. Priced by the month and set up for living in, a well-kept flat can carry most of the winter.
Are dogs allowed on Alum Chine beach in winter?
Yes. At the time of writing BCP Council's restrictions on the main beaches run from 1 May to 30 September, and the stretch west towards Branksome is open to dogs all year. From October the whole beach is open, which makes a pet-friendly flat an easy winter let where the lease allows pets.
When must a winter guest leave?
We agree the end date at booking so that Easter and the May half term stay free for families, with time for a deep clean and new photographs. If a guest asks to stay on, we compare their offer with what spring would earn and you decide.
Does a winter of long stays help with business rates?
Not directly. A property needs to be available for 140 nights and let for 70 in the year, and only lets of 28 nights or less count towards the 70. At Alum Chine the summer usually meets that number, so winter stays add income on top. Confirm your position with the council and your accountant.
What do sea-facing flats need before winter guests arrive?
A check of windows, seals and balcony doors for wind-driven rain, a look for condensation and damp, heating that works and is cheap to run, and a desk and an airer. Repairs go to local contractors before the first guest.
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I've had a really positive experience
I've had a really positive experience with the Airbnb building services, and I'd especially like to recognise Nat, Jack, and Reece for how helpful, friendly, and professional they are. They're always approachable, responsive, and willing to go the extra mile to help resolve any issues or answer questions. Their attitude makes a real difference and creates a welcoming experience for residents and guests. A special mention has to go to Natalie, who has been exceptionally helpful. She is consistently kind, attentive, and proactive, and always makes sure things are dealt with properly. Her dedication and willingness to help really stand out and are very much appreciated. Thank you to the whole team for all your hard work, it definitely doesn't go unnoticed!
Great accommodation and location
Ease of booking. Great communication with the team. Moved to the area and stayed while purchasing property. Very flexible regarding duration of stay. 2 months. We stayed in 2 different apartments. Both lovely. Quiet. No hassle. Also location awesome. A few minutes walk to the beach and town. Thanks again everyone at Flexistays Bournemouth. Highly recommend
Lovely and cosy apartment in the centre
Lovely and cosy apartment in the centre of Bournemouth, and managing to still be quiet. Close to the train station (and buses), big Asda superstore, town centre, park and the beach. I have stayed so far in 2 different apartments in the same building on 2 separate occasions. Both, lovely decorated, with everything one may need for a short or longer stay. A kind of apartment you just want to stay in the whole day! I would definitely recommend.
Residents and guests of the furnished apartments we let and manage, in their own words, quoted as published. Each rating is the platform's own, read on the date shown. See every review
Winter lets nearby
- Westbourne
- Branksome
- Canford Cliffs
- West Cliff
- Bournemouth
- Poole
- Christchurch
- Southbourne
- Boscombe
- Winton
- Charminster
- Moordown
- Winter lets: every area
Other services here: Letting agents in Alum Chine, Long term lets in Alum Chine, Property management in Alum Chine, Property valuation in Alum Chine, Selling your property in Alum Chine
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