HOLIDAY RENTALS
The 10 Biggest mistakes to avoid with a Holiday Rental
Do not price yourself out of the market. Make sure you research the price of comparable properties and alternative
accommodation in the area, what type of people visit the area, when the peak seasons are and what off ers to run to attract off -peak travellers, this will help keep the property occupied for as many weeks much as possible.
Don’t furnish for you. T is is a business so try not to put too much of your own personal stamp on the interior. Keep furnishings
simple, avoid clutter and remove personal items. Ensure the property meets health and safety requirements, and consider what practical items guests will expect. Whilst luxury furnishings and unique features such as hot-tubs can give you an edge, don’t price yourself out of the market.
Don’t leave bookings to chance. Having your own website is great, but the competition is tough so use a reputable holiday
rental website, like
HomeAway.co.uk, for a cost-eff ective way to get exposure to millions of travellers and manage booking enquiries.
T e secrets Holiday Rentals
Don’t be shy: sell your property. People buy with their eyes and will oſt en judge a property by the quality of its photographs.
Grainy, low-quality photographs of the toilet or scruff y back yard are not going to sell your property. Great photos and truthful, detailed descriptions are vital as is correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. Carefully prepare every shot; make beds, set tables, and get people by the pool having fun.
of success
In our spring issue we looked at what’s on off er in the Top 10 rental hotspots around the world. Here we take a look at the crucial elements that make a successful rental property...
ith a growing number of holidaymakers choosing to take self-catering breaks, the holiday rental sector is an expanding business area. “T e number of properties on
HomeAway.com has grown considerably – in 2011 there were 250,000 but we now have over 545,000,” says Eveleen Hatch of HomeAway’s PR department.
W
Many holiday home owners need to cover the costs of their overseas property and whilst letting it out is an appealing way of making money, there are some pitfalls to steer clear of if you want to keep the guests coming.
Don’t forget... Cover yourself
Firstly ensure you are allowed to let your property on a short-term basis and that you understand applicable taxation laws, as you must declare income earned from holiday lets. You also need holiday rental liability insurance and ideally a booking contract to confi rm details of the reservation, deposit/refund/cancellation policies and terms and conditions of tenancy. You can fi nd more tips on how to rent your property on
www.homeaway.co.uk/info/owner-resources
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aplaceinthesun.com
Don’t hide rental rates. People make their decisions based on price so don’t hide them, display them clearly.
Don’t scrimp on services - have a local representative. If you don’t live nearby, invest in having someone who can ‘meet and greet’ your clients, a cleaner and someone on hand locally to deal with problems. One person can oſt en fulfi l all these roles – ask fellow holiday home owners or your property agent for local recommendations.
Don’t forget that time is of the essence. Holiday home owners who reply days or even weeks aſt er an enquiry are not likely
to take nearly as many bookings as those who reply promptly. Replying as quickly as possible gives a good fi rst impression of your effi ciency. Set up auto-replies for booking enquiries containing further details of your property and travel options, and have a standard email prepared to send with your booking contract. Update your calendar at least once a week. If your calendar looks out of date, or your rates aren’t clear, you will miss out on enquiries.
Don’t be too rigid. It is fi ne to want to have a policy of minimum stays in peak periods but be fl exible at other times to
attract those taking short breaks and buying cheap fl ight deals. By being fl exible whenever you can, you are more likely to keep your property full.
Don’t keep good reviews to yourself. Many holiday home owners don’t shout about their positive reviews nearly enough.
However, positive testimonials from previous guests will help sell your property to others. Leave a guestbook at your property for feedback and to gather positive quotes and encourage guests to post reviews online aſt er their stay. Also ensure that you display your good reviews on your holiday rental websites so potential guests can see.
Don’t be afraid to go the extra mile. T ose little extras can make all the diff erence to someone’s stay. Include a welcome pack, a fi le
with useful information on local attractions, activities and transport, provide DVDs, Wi-Fi and child friendly facilities if it is a family let.
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