Comment: Game, set and match for Wimbledon homeowners

It’s not just tennis stars who are making a mint out of Wimbledon – local homeowners are also cashing in.

Those lucky enough to own property close to the All England Club have been making a mint during the tournament by renting out their homes with a whopping Wimbledon premium attached.

According to Rightmove, the average rent of a room in SW19 increases by £200 per week for Wimbledon.

Apparently, there is a mighty spike in the rental prices of short-lets each April, typically rising 51 per cent on the previous three months. It’s also the time when some of the really luxurious houses in the area go up for rent, which drives up the average prices of more humble homes.

And it’s not just landlords with vast property portfolios who are making some serious money out of tennis players, coaches and fans – regular folk are also renting out rooms and sometimes their entire home in exchange for hugely inflated rent.

Friends of mine did this during the London 2012 Olympics, renting out their house and going on a long holiday while the Games took place. They missed out on all the sporting action but, given the amazing jaunt it paid for, I don’t think they cared.

Sadly Herts is somewhat lacking in major sporting events, and landlords and Airbnb-ers have to rely on the usual nationwide peaks of school holidays to bring in the extra cash.

Shall we all move to Wimbledon and make our fortune? With the homes closest to the All England Club currently selling for between £1.7m and £8.5m, we might need a grand slam winner’s income first…