| Do I need to have cable, phone service, | | | | Internet Access is NOT necessary. Guests who |
| long-distance, internet access, and satellite? There | | | | take a one week vacation will not be that |
| are many optional services you can offer at your | | | | concerned about checking their email. This will not |
| rental property. You can go crazy and pay | | | | usually make an impact on their renting decision. |
| hundreds of dollars a month for these extra | | | | Now, there are a couple of exceptions here. If |
| services. Here is how I have prioritized the extra | | | | you have guests renting for a month or longer, |
| services I offer... | | | | they will probably need internet access. I offer it |
| Cable is necessary. In the evening guests will want | | | | to them for only what the cable company |
| to watch a little TV and at the least checkout the | | | | charges me for it... $30 per month, and they have |
| weather for the next day. You cannot expect | | | | all been happy to pay the extra fee. I have a |
| your guests to live with 3 channels and an | | | | guest who will be renting for 3 months in 2009. |
| antenna. However, they do not need the 300 | | | | They want phone service with long distance. I told |
| channel package. The basic cable package is just | | | | them they can have it, but it will be an extra |
| fine. | | | | charge. To keep guests comfortable with this, I |
| Phone Service is NOT necessary. In this day and | | | | simply fax them a copy of the actual bill after |
| age almost everybody has a cell phone. Phone | | | | they check-out and we deduct it from their |
| service is an added expense that I do not pay | | | | security deposit refund. |
| for. Long distance will kill you in one month. All you | | | | Like anything else, the decision is up to you. Some |
| need is a guest from England dialing home and | | | | homeowners like to offer lots of extra services |
| you will eat up your entire rental income in 1 | | | | to entice guests. This is simply the breakdown of |
| phone bill. | | | | importance I have set and follow. |