ANYONE going away this New Year could turn their home into a nice little earner.

Oxford is one of the most popular cities for holiday and short-stay lets, according to an online rental firm.

And with rates ranging from £466 to £1,800 a week, it could pay off the festive bills and leave enough for a New Year’s Eve knees-up.

The most sought-after areas are Summertown and Jericho but anywhere within walking distance of the centre is a hit, according to Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies, from Oxford-based holidaylettings.co.uk

And it’s not just high-end properties which pull in the punters, with Blackbird Leys a good bet because it is within easy reach of the Mini plant.

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Ms Stinchcombe-Gillies said: “Homeowners are starting to see the value of renting out their home while they are away.”

But it’s not just homes in the city that will earn their keep, apartments and houses around the rest of the county are in demand, too.

The going rate for a house in Bampton was £3,100 a week in December, or £2,600 if hired for New Year’s Eve.

Looking ahead to next summer, of 351 Oxfordshire homes listed on the site, half are already booked for the first week of August.

Ms Stinchcombe-Gillies added: “It doesn’t necessarily come down to the value of the property, it’s about the finish and how it’s marketed.”

Karen Cairns, from Osney Island, lets out part of her home to business people on short-term contracts, visiting university lecturers and shoppers headed for Bicester Village.

She said: “People love that we are so close to the town centre.”

Ms Cairns, 50, a business coach and training consultant, also owns a two-bedroom apartment in the area which is popular with couples and families. But she said anyone doing it needs to think about their tax liability and online reviews.

She added: “You can’t manipulate the review system – the good, the bad and the ugly, it’s all there for people to read.”

How you can let out your house.

  • APART from holidaylettings.co.uk, other firms to register with include booking.com or airbnb.co.uk
  • Also, under the Government’s Rent-a-Room scheme, you can earn up to £4,250 a year by letting a room in your home.
  • These top five traits will turn your house into a cash machine:
  • Close to centre of Oxford or other attraction
  • Near train station/buses and/or off-road parking/parking permits
  • Decorated in neutral colours and spotlessly clean
  • Extra touches like quality tea/coffee and a welcome hamper
  • Professional quality photographs to advertise online.

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