Mansfield, UK, 9 June 2026 — Simply Owners, which offers over 6,000 holiday rentals in the UK and abroad with no booking fees, is celebrating 10 years in business.
Founded by Tim Parkes in 2016, Simply Owners was created to give holiday rental owners an alternative to online travel agencies (OTAs), allowing them to build direct relationships with guests while retaining control over pricing, communication, and revenue. Over the past decade, the platform has grown into a trusted marketplace for independent owners and self-catering businesses across the UK, Europe, and the US.
Over the past decade, Simply Owners has grown to include more than 6,000 holiday rental listings across 18 countries. In 2024, former English teacher Rebecca Ward took over as CEO from her father Tim, allowing him to retire. Under her leadership, Simply Owners has continued to grow, reaching 14 full-time employees and innovating with four new partnerships and technological integrations, including a landmark integration with leading property management system (PMS) SuperControl in January 2025 making it easier for property owners to run their business. In April 2026, Rebecca’s leadership was recognised publicly when she won the Shortyz Rising Star Award.
Operating on a fixed annual subscription model, Simply Owners allows property owners and hosts to accept enquiries and bookings directly, without commission deductions or guest service fees. This allows guests and owners to save the typical 15-20% booking fee charged by major platforms.
The milestone comes at a time when many property owners are reassessing their dependence on OTAs. Rising commission costs, more restrictive policies, and increased competition have encouraged more operators to strengthen their direct booking strategy and invest in long-term guest relationships.
Simply Owners is also passionate about accessibility and making travel easier for everyone. In 2025, the company partnered with AccessibleUK to promote accessible accommodation, made easier by Simply Owners’ direct communication between guests and owners, improved clarity around property listings, in-depth accessibility destination guides, as well as support for owners wanting to modify their properties to improve accessibility. They now list over 1,000 accessible properties on their site.
The business works closely with PASC and ASSC to keep all its UK owners up to speed on political developments and policy changes. They have also continued to expand internationally, including its recent launch in Ireland through a partnership with the Irish Self-Catering Federation (ISCF).
Rebecca Ward, CEO of Simply Owners, said: “Simply Owners was founded on the belief that holiday rental owners should have more control over their businesses and stronger relationships with their guests. Ten years later, that principle remains unchanged.
“The short-term rental sector has evolved significantly during the past decade, but independent owners continue to look for fairer and more sustainable ways to secure their bookings. We remain focused on helping owners build successful direct booking businesses with transparency and simplicity at the centre of the experience.”
Holidaymakers and owners can find more information at www.simplyowners.net
About Simply Owners
Simply Owners is a private holiday rental site that connects guests directly with property owners, with no booking fees or third-party commissions. By removing intermediaries, the platform helps holidaymakers save around 20% compared to traditional booking sites. Founded in 2016, Simply Owners was created to challenge high-fee platforms and restore fairness and trust to the holiday rental experience, for both homeowners and holidaymakers. Visit www.simplyowners.net for more information.
