Renting Guide

Preparation - As with everything good preparation is the key to success. Decide on your financial objectives. There are some important questions you need to ask yourself before you go ahead with letting your property.

What are your financial objectives? Do you want to maximize the income from your property or just cover the 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 only go on weeks when there are no bookings. Do you want to be there in the peak, summer times? What type of person do you want to stay in your home? Are you happy to have children, (and is your home suitable!) Would you be happy for a group of men on a golf holiday to stay? You may have to make some compromises, but you should be clear in advance where you stand on these issues, as many other decisions flow from them.

Furnishing & 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 and will not be high maintenance. The rental rates you can charge will reflect the standard of your furnishing and equipment. ACCEPT that things may get broken, as they do in your own home, so don't put in items that you will fret over if they do get broken.

Kitchens - These must be fully equipped. A dishwasher although not essential is always a great marketing tool, as no one wants to wash up on holiday. A microwave and washing machine are a necessity. Cutlery,
china and kitchen utensils are not expensive so don't stint on them - allow for at least double the maximum number that will stay. Make sure that pots, pans, coffee pots and tea pots are big enough. Work-tops should be easy to keep clean.

Bedrooms - Beds and sofa beds must be good quality and comfortable, there should be bedside tables and lamps. at least one hair dryer and ample hanging and storage space, with good quality clothes hangers.

Linens - Make sure you have at least two sets of linen for every bed, to allow for some day change-overs. Also, have a good supply of bathroom towels, all sizes and kitchen cloths as well.

Furniture & Flooring - This should be hard wearing, low maintenance, not easily damaged and easy to clean. Rugs are a good idea on tiled floors especially during the winter months as is washable throws for the soft furnishings.

Other Equipment - A TV with English television is essential especially over the winter months. You need to have a balance between having enough little personal things like books, vases andornaments to make the place more welcoming rather than like a hotel room, but do not clutter it especially with rejects from your own home. Try and create an atmosphere appropriate to the location of the holiday home.

Setting up Property Management Arrangements - The cleaning and maintenance of the property and dealing with the guests on the spot are vital. You must make sure you have everything arranged in advance for this key aspect of successfully letting your property. If an agency is taking your booking, or you advertise yourself, you still need a local company to do the cleaning, maintenance and welcoming and be the emergency contact. Make sure they speak English, as your guests may not understand the local language. it is best to ask locally for recommendations for a reliable company. Make it clear what you want, backed up with a contract, emphasizing the service they provide and to what standard. it Is probably worth paying a bit over the market rates to make sure you get the best service as this is such a key factor in the success of your holiday rental.

Cleaning - The Importance of cleaning cannot be overemphasized. It is essential that the property is thoroughly cleaned and all linen and towels changed between every rental. it is important to make sure that essential supplies like soap toilet rolls and kitchen rolls are available when guests arrive. The kitchen cupboards should have the basics like tea, coffee, salt and pepper and sugar. You can also add other little touches like flowers or wine to make you guests feel welcome. Your property management company can take care of this.

Contacts & Maintenance - You must leave your guests the contact numbers of your property management company in case there is a problem or emergency. Your property management company should have a list with the telephone numbers of an electrician, a plumber and general repair man who will be able to come at short notice to make any urgent repairs that are required during that rental.

Welcomes - You can send out keys and maps but it Is much better if there is someone to welcome your guests, show them around, and explain how things work. it can avoid all sorts of problems and questions later. Most complaints start off as questions, and if they are dealt with on the spot, they do not turn Into complaints. With mobile phones guests can call about a half an hour before arrival, so it is not necessary for someone to be hanging round all day. Alternatively transport can be organized by your property management company to pick up from the airport and take directly to the property.

Goodbyes - Your property management team will be there on departure to pick up the keys and ensure all is safe and well with your property. We at Elite have compiled the above for your use and guidance in
order to help you prepare your property for successful renting. They are only guidelines to help you gain the maximum rental potential and are not a rental contract.