residentiallettings
use as a little as four weeks of the year.
It is many of these type of people who have
turned to letting their homes in recent
months.
“Their guests are also growing in
numbers as people realise that renting
a private holiday home incurs no middle
man costs, is cheaper per person, offers
more space for the group with individual
bedrooms and private communal space,
not to mention the lack of interruptions
from chambermaids or restricted meal
times.” Rightmove says that demand for
private holiday home rentals is up 40 per
cent year on year, with UK enquiries in
Padstow – benefited
popular areas up 95 per cent.
from celeb chef effect
Claire Stanton, Area Manager for
Fulfords holidays cottage lettings business
in the South Hams, Devon, says 2009 has ‘We have also seen especially in the mid price range, from
been one of their best years since they
75 per cent more
£300,000-£500,000. People are not putting
started 28 years ago.
“It’s all down to ‘staycations’,” she says.
overseas visitors,
their money into banks because they get
a higher yield from holiday lettings.
“People like to know what they are getting from France and We have a house for sale at the moment for
and how much they can buy for their
Germany. The way the
£449,000, but it is also letting at £1,000
pound. The exchange rate against the a week. Of course, there are outgoings, and
Euro is so bad, the summer weeks were
Euro is, they are getting a
in March a new ruling comes in which
booked up really early.
lot more for their money
stops owners being able to claim VAT on
“We are also finding that people who improvements. But I still have my fingers
have come on holiday for a number of
here in the UK.’
crossed for a bumper 2010.”
years are buying. Grandparents like to domenique bray cole rayment & White A similar upbeat story emerges from
bring their families to a home from home, Keys Estate Agency and their holiday
with a beach on the doorstep. This area ever. “It may have been something to do lettings arm, Keys-Holidays, in
is generally mild in winter and more people with the Press reports of a hot summer,” Sheringham, Norfolk.
are coming for Christmas.” says Domenique Bray, “but the area is “We have been doing this for 30 years,
Fulfords have around 100 properties on getting more popular every year. We have but 2009 has been fantastic,” says Partner
their holiday lettings books, ranging from also seen 75 per cent more overseas Clive Hedges. “Without a shadow of a
a studio flat at £300 a week to a £3,000 visitors, from France and Germany. They doubt, it has helped the estate agency side
a week house sleeping eight, overlooking way the Euro is, they are getting a lot more through a difficult year. We have sold to
the ocean at Salcombe. here in the UK. I’m now working on repeat a number of people who have previously
“We like to cater for everyone,” says bookings for 2010, and they are up.” been here on holiday. We have taken on
Claire. “People do pay the price to come The Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver effect another 16 holiday properties and now
to the South Hams and those from London has boosted the holiday lettings market in have around 70, from a brick and flint
don’t find it too expensive.” Padstow, but high end shops like Crew and cottage 1-bedroom cottage at £250 a week
Estate agents and holiday lettings agents Quba also draw their share of visitors to a £1,300 a week house sleeping eight.”
Cole Rayment & White are also in prime who make a significant contribution to Investors, too, are on the increase,
vacation territory, covering Padstow, Rock, the local economy. buying properties up to £175,000 which
Camelford and Wadebridge in Cornwall. “The area is becoming a 12-month produce a good yield compared to pitiful
Old hands at the holiday lettings business, resort,” reports Domenique. “Sales of bank interest, and hopefully, also attract
they report 2009 has been their best year property to investors is also going well, capital growth.
“People are not going abroad,” says
Clive Hedges. “We have a Blue Flag beach,
a beautiful unspoiled town, perfect for the
traditional family holiday.
“Sheringham never dies in winter. We
are always busy and on a Saturday we are
the only agency in town with a queue
outside, when people come to collect their
holiday cottage keys!”
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Salcombe – £3,000 a week for sea views Staycations are boosting agent business
54 FEBRUARY 2010 PrOPertYdrum
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