|
What to consider when renting your property for holiday rentals.
Your Spanish holiday home is probably
one the best investments you can make.
If you don’t stay there long term,
an excellent way to cover the cost of
the property is to let the property
under short term rentals. The income
can be substantial, and it can be very
satisfying. You should however be aware
that there are some pitfalls that you
could avoid if you go about the process
in a professional manner.
Based on experience this guide will
help you to make the maximum rental
income from your holiday home, with
the minimum of problems.
Preparation
1. Deciding
on your financial objectives
2. Furnishing and equipping your
home
3. Furniture check list
4. Guest manual, house rules
5. Insurance
Deciding on your financial objectives
There are some fundamental questions
you need to ask yourself before you
go ahead with letting your home:
- Do you want to maximise the income
or just cover costs?
- How often do you want to be there yourself?
- Do you want to be there on certain dates
or can you be flexible and go on weeks
when there are no bookings?
- What type of people do you want to stay
in your home?
- Are you happy to have children, or a
group of golfers to stay?
- Have you an idea of expected rental
fees?
Furnishing and equipping
your home
Furnish your home bearing in mind that
it will be rented out. Use good quality,
robust furniture and equipment that
can be easily cleaned, washable covers
etc.
The rental rates you can charge will
reflect the standard of your furnishing
and equipment for example:
Kitchens
- Kitchens should always be fully equipped,
with ample cutlery, glasses (beer,
wine etc) china sets -large plates,
side plates, bowls, tea & coffee
cups, egg cups, (at least two sets times
maximum staying) tea & coffee pots,
kitchen utensils, pots & pans of
various sizes, microwave, iron &
board, dust pan & brush, mop &
bucket. Washing machine and dishwasher
may also be deemed as essential by some.
Bedrooms
- Beds and sofa beds must be of good quality
and comfortable. There should be ample
hanging and storage space, and don’t
forget the hangers.
Linens
- Make sure you have at least three sets
of linen to allow for same day change
over; bed linen, duvets, blankets, bathroom
towels, table cloths, tea towels etc.
Furniture and flooring
- This should be hard wearing, low maintenance,
not easily damaged and easy to clean.
Washable throws are a good idea for
soft furnishing.
Other equipment
- You need to have enough little personal
things like books, vases and ornaments
to make the place homely. Stereo system,
CD player, video. Satellite TV will also
appeal.
Your personal items
- Allocate a storage area or cupboard
where you can store your own personal
items, and keep it locked when you are
away.
Furniture check list
This gives you an idea of the amount
of equipment you will need to furnish
your holiday home.
Living Room
- Settees, cushions, throw over, chairs
and arm chairs, coffee tables, lamps,
book shelves and books, stereo system,
CD player, radio, speakers, TV, video,
Sky satellite TV, rugs, pictures, ornaments,
vases and waste baskets.
Dining Area
- Table and chairs, rugs, pictures, table
mats, ornaments etc
Cleaning cupboard
- Vacuum cleaner, mop & bucket, dust
pan & brush, cleaning materials.
Kitchen
- Oven with grill, hob, extractor fan,
washing machine, dishwasher, fridge
freezer, microwave, kettle, coffee maker,
toaster, blender, kitchen utensils,
knives, forks, spoons, teaspoons, serving
spoons, salad server, carving knives,
good kitchen scissors, tea towels, serviettes,
tin foil, clothes pegs, storage jars,
china sets, coffee cups and saucers,
tea cups and saucers, tea and coffee
mugs ,large plates, side plates, small
and large bowls, egg cups, beer, wine
and water glasses, water jug, milk jug,
casserole dishes, kitchen roll holder,
chopping board, saucepans and frying
pans of various sizes, grater, sieve,
potato masher, kitchen stools, waste
bins, trays, apron and oven gloves.
Bathrooms
- Waste bins, toilet brush, shower mats
and curtain, towels, toothbrush holder
and linen basket.
Bedrooms
- Beds, mattresses, pillows, duvets, bedspreads,
sheets, rugs, bedside lamps, chest of
drawers, dressing table, wardrobe, clothes
hangers and hair dryer.
Garden and terrace areas
- Table and chairs, sun beds and mattresses
Private pools
- Your private pool will need cleaning
twice weekly in high season and once
a week in low season.
Guest manual and house
rules
We supply the “Guest manual”
in your property; it will contain lots
of relevant information such as, places
of interest, restaurants, and local
contact numbers as well as emergency
numbers. There will also be a sheet
of house rules that will be left in
a prominent spot, with important instructions
like rubbish disposal, noise rules,
etc.
Insurance
Make sure your property is fully insured,
and inform your insurance company that
you will be renting out. If need be
we can recommend some insurance companies
to you.
|
|
