Is My Property Suitable For Letting

A holiday home should be in a good position for your target market, clean, pleasantly decorated, have safe fixtures/fittings and enough beds, furniture, storage, bathroom facilities, parking and security measures. Basically holidaymakers want two things - a great location and a good quality, affordable base to enjoy it from.

i   What you need to provide

Household and furniture essentials to suit the size of the accommodation, home comforts, local information and, if possible, a touch of comfort/luxury, so check out your competition.

Leaving a visitor book packed with helpful hints and tips about the house and local area is always welcome - especially where previous guests can leave their own helpful comments for further guests.

Whilst your property does not have to be luxurious with the latest designer look and equipment, never skimp on basic quality and cleanliness - cheap mattresses, threadbare carpets and poor quality or dirty furnishings will simply attract complaints and no returning customers or recommendations to your property. And don't overdo the decoration - overly fussy soft-furnishings and masses of knick-knacks around the property simply add to the cleaning costs and can actually put off many holidaymakers. Keep it fairly plain, functional but comfortable.

A well-equipped kitchen is a must (including dishwashers/washing machine/microwave) as is the provision of satellite TV/DVD player, ample bed linen, towels and basic household supplies and electrical goods in working order. A stock of DVD's, books, maps and guides is also highly valued by guests.

Stairgates, highchairs and travel cots and other child safety measures are imperative if you wish to attract families. A box of 'rainy-day' and beach toys is also a nice touch that holidaymakers appreciate. Provide heating/air-conditioning, hairdryers, outdoor furniture/BBQs where required.

Most people have mobile phones nowadays so it is not necessary to provide a phone - but many holidaymakers do now expect an Internet access point - or access to the local internet cafe. (Do a deal with the nearest internet cafe owner for your guests)

ii   Legal safety standards

In the UK, you have a legal obligation to ensure the safe and efficient working of gas and electrical appliances, glass doors/windows and that furniture in your property is fire resistant to certain EU approved standards.

Gas. You must get central heating systems, heaters, fires, cookers and gas pipe work and flues checked once a year by a Corgi registered installer. You must have a certificate of compliance to show that this has been done.

Electricity. Although there is no legal responsibility to test electrical equipment, we recommend that you get a competent electrician to check everything once a year.

You must also mention any potential hazards in the immediate vicinity of your property in your advertising - such as uncovered ponds/streams/railway lines etc.

Under UK law, all properties built after June 1992 must be fitted with mains operated interlinked smoke detectors/alarms on each floor. This law does not cover older properties, but we strongly recommend that you put smoke alarms in any property you rent out, and that they are checked regularly.

If you have gas-fired boilers, real fuel burners or enclosed coal fired heating, it is also essential that you fit Corgi approved carbon monoxide detection alarms.

All furniture (except furniture made before 1950) included in the accommodation must meet all the current fire resistance requirements and carry permanent labels confirming this. This applies to anything which is upholstered or has a filling - like sofas, armchairs, mattresses, pillows, padded headboards and cushions.

There are other recommendations for safety, which are frequently updated, and you also have responsibility to any employees, such as cleaners and maintenance men whilst on your premises.

For guests' safety and your legal protection you must take advice before letting - and keep all safety documentation and records to hand. For full information in the UK, contact the Health & Safety Executive.

Legal standards of safety throughout the world vary from country to country. In Spain, holiday letting is regulated by provincial governments and local tourist authorities. In France, there are stringent new regulations on swimming pool safety which affect all properties with a pool. Always take advice locally from a recognised authority in the country where you have the property.

iii   Maintenance and cleaning issues

Your property needs thorough cleaning between bookings, towels/bed linen laundered, basic supplies kept stocked, broken items repaired or replaced, gardens, lawns and exteriors maintained.

It is also useful to arrange a local point of contact should your tenant have an emergency and is unable to contact you or speak the local language.

Do not cut corners on these issues - the consequences could be disastrous.

 
 
Copyright 2006. Copyright protected by HolidayBank Ltd, Sunway House, Raglan Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk. NR32 2LW.

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