Karen Noy introduces Signature Stays, a company letting properties on a short- and medium-term basis to maximise rental income all year round.
Karen Noy with her sons, Dan and Myles
After more than 25 years, I have returned to my roots in Cornwall. Originally from Penzance and a former pupil of Mount’s
Bay School, as well as a student at the Liz Nolan School of Dance, I am now proudly living back in Hayle and bringing a new style of property management to the area.
Like many landlords, the introduction of new regulations felt daunting, and I faced uncertainty like never before with my Cornwall properties. The landscape had changed dramatically. Increased compliance, shifting tax rules, and ongoing legislative reform made traditional letting feel more complex and less predictable than ever before.
Today, many landlords find themselves in the same position following the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill. Long-standing traditional letting that once felt stable is now being questioned, and many are unsure what the future holds for their portfolios. For some, the increased regulation has reduced flexibility. For others, it has affected profitability and long-term planning.
Moving my own properties from ASTs (assured shorthold tenancies) to serviced accommodation provided the solution — no voids, strong year-round income, higher returns, and properties kept in excellent condition. Instead of worrying about arrears, poor tenants, and prolonged vacancies, I was able to operate with greater control and clearer visibility over performance. The model allowed me to adapt seasonally, respond to demand, and optimise income in a way that traditional letting simply could not offer.
A break during a dog walk on the Towans. Karen has returned to her Cornish roots and is now based in Hayle
While the new reforms target traditional letting and HMOs (homes of multiple occupation), serviced accommodation is not
affected in the same way. This provides landlords with an alternative route — one that remains compliant, flexible, and commercially strong. It is not about avoiding regulation, but about choosing a model better suited to today’s market conditions.
I have now run Signature Stays for several years with my sons, Dan and Myles, offering a full management service that takes care of everything — guest communication, professional cleaning, dynamic pricing, listing optimisation, and high-quality photography. We treat every property as if it were our own because we understand the responsibility that comes with being a landlord.
We aim to take advantage of Cornwall’s thriving summer tourist market and then transition to longer winter stays, housing businesses, relocations, and insurance claims. This balanced approach enables us to provide landlords with consistent, year-round income that can significantly outperform traditional letting without sacrificing property standards.
• Interested in finding out more? Visit signature-stays.co.uk to fill out an online form, email info@signature-stays.co.uk or call 07802 506058.
