| When using a website to advertise your property | | | | What to charge: |
| the potential renter is viewing your property with | | | | * Identify your market and see what comparable |
| an element of trust and often a feeling of | | | | properties are charging in the same area. |
| excitement. So what they are looking at on the | | | | * Make sure that you have a sliding scale so that |
| site should be an accurate and complete | | | | you charge more in the high season and also |
| description. If the information is not accurate and | | | | school holidays. |
| complete you could be doing yourself a disservice | | | | * Should you have a cancellation make sure that |
| and saving up problems for later and therefore will | | | | the fee is described in your terms and conditions. |
| not make the most out of your rental potential. | | | | You may still be able to resell the period to |
| The following are some useful tips into making | | | | recoup your losses and to reimburse the previous |
| your property work for you. | | | | client. Contact previous renters or update your |
| Showing your property at its best on site | | | | advert headline description to show offering a last |
| * Good photographs are your best selling point. | | | | minute discount for example. |
| * Make each room looks clean and tidy. | | | | * Make sure that everything is included in the fee, |
| * Remove all clutter before photographs are | | | | such as the cleaner and all utility bills so that there |
| taken. | | | | are no nasty shocks when your clients leave. |
| * Make sure beds are made and tables are laid | | | | * Make sure that you include all your outgoings |
| for dinner. | | | | when deciding what to charge. |
| * Show special features to their best. | | | | Who looks after your property? |
| * Update pictures when things change or you | | | | * Are you going to be the one who manages the |
| redecorate. | | | | rental property? If not you will have to find |
| * Adapt to the seasons - what is good in one | | | | someone to do this for you. |
| may not be good in another. | | | | * Ask other owners in the area what they do to |
| * Write the description of your house as though | | | | cover this issue. |
| you have just seen it for the first time and make | | | | * If you employ a management company keep in |
| sure you mention all the unique selling points. | | | | close contact with them. This way they are likely |
| * Let people know the easiest way of getting to | | | | to put more effort into looking after your |
| your property. | | | | property and a good business relationship can be |
| * Make sure the availability calendar is updated | | | | formed. |
| after every new booking. | | | | * Also try and book your own property to see if |
| Handy Hints | | | | you are happy with the way you are being |
| * Reply to every inquiry as quickly as possible, if | | | | represented. |
| you are away have an out of office email set up | | | | * If you are looking after the property make |
| or a forwarding service so potential renters are | | | | sure that all inquiries are promptly dealt with in a |
| still serviced. | | | | professional way. |
| * Have a house pack for all new renters giving | | | | * The quicker you respond the more likely a |
| details of all local attractions. | | | | prospective renter is to book with you. |
| * Have a visitor's book for them to sign and | | | | * Make sure you have someone to help with |
| hopefully leave a good comment. | | | | changeover day as this can take some time. |
| * If you have an inquiry you can't take tell them | | | | * Have a system in place for the running of the |
| about someone else in the area, they are likely to | | | | letting right from the initial inquiry to the handing |
| return the compliment. | | | | over of the keys at the end. |
| The look of your property | | | | * Be aware of scam inquiries! Especially people |
| * The higher the standard of decoration and | | | | wishing to pay more than the rental charge, then |
| furnishing, the wider the range of customers you | | | | for you to refund the "difference" |
| are likely to attract and so the rental price can | | | | How best to look after your bookings |
| reflect this. | | | | The most important will be a contract with the |
| * Pictures taken of your rental property should be | | | | terms and conditions of the rental |
| of enticing, it really does pay to take the time to | | | | As a minimum, the contract should cover |
| do this properly as attention to detail will make | | | | * Arrival and departure dates and times |
| the overall look much more enticing. If your | | | | * Names of the occupants |
| property is located in a sunny destination, make | | | | * Contact numbers for both parties |
| sure you take the picture on a sunny day! | | | | * Payment terms - there should be clear and |
| Likewise if you let out a ski chalet, take the | | | | concise payment terms covering deposits for |
| picture when there is plenty of snow about. | | | | holding the property, completion of payment and |
| Consider rotating your pictures with the seasons | | | | coverage for breakages, damage etc. |
| so that if you are booked for the ski season and | | | | * Useful numbers for clients such as doctors, |
| now looking to attract walkers for the summer, | | | | police etc. |
| replace your "snow chalet" image with a beautiful | | | | * Cancellation terms. |
| mountain view from the. | | | | * Security deposit, this is over and above the |
| * Keep everything as neutral as possible and | | | | vacation home rental price and is an insurance |
| remember the less clutter there is, the less likely | | | | against damages. This should be set at an agreed |
| that something you cherish will get broken | | | | price with the renter |
| * Make sure that the renter has everything there | | | | * House rules - these should be in the contract |
| to keep the property clean. | | | | such as no smoking, pets etc |
| * Provide all the things that the renter might | | | | * Insurance you must have contents and liability |
| need, including a first aid box | | | | insurance and the renter must have their own |
| * If you have valuable items in the property | | | | cover. |
| make sure you have somewhere safe to put | | | | * Confirm the booking only after deposit monies |
| them whilst someone is renting your property | | | | have cleared. |
| * It is always good to have a collection of games | | | | * If any damage occurs make sure you have |
| for people to play | | | | photographic evidence as proof. |
| * If the area is known for cycling get a couple of | | | | A good way to get the booking off to a good |
| bicycles for people to use, or leave information of | | | | start could be to make sure there are certain |
| places where they can be hired | | | | staple food and item to hand, so why not get |
| What you are responsible for: | | | | your cleaners to leave a starter pack for the |
| * Make sure that the deeds of your property | | | | renters including tea, coffee, milk, bread, cereal |
| have no clauses to say that you are not allowed | | | | etc |
| to sublet your property. | | | | And after they leave have a system in place to |
| * Liability insurance to cover any damage caused | | | | leverage their good time and to get any feedback |
| by guests. | | | | from them - a visitor's book is a good idea |
| * Check that the security of the property | | | | Marketing and getting the property to work for |
| matches the standards set out by the insurance | | | | you |
| company. | | | | * The more you spend, the more people will |
| * Use a contract with the renter. Clearly state all | | | | know about your property, but there should be a |
| dates the property is booked for and any | | | | limit to set yourself. |
| arrangements that you have decided between | | | | * Use the internet, this is now the biggest |
| you that is not covered in your standard | | | | marketing tool there is and will show your |
| agreement, also stating when they have to | | | | property to a worldwide market. |
| vacate the property. | | | | * Word of mouth is one of the best so make |
| * If you need to pay tax on this income it will | | | | sure you request your clients tell others. |
| need to be declared. | | | | * Keep in touch with past renters and send out a |
| * Let the renter know that they must get travel | | | | newsletter with photographs to jog their memory. |
| insurance should they need it. | | | | |