An Owners Guide to Self Catering Holiday Property Letting – Isle of Wight

 

 

The Wight Holiday Company Holiday Letting Advice For Holiday Home Owners

Potential guests looking for self catering holiday accommodation on the Isle of Wight are looking for good quality holiday cottages and apartments. When searching for a property to stay in for a holiday on the Isle of Wight, renters are looking for, as standard; clean and well-presented properties, good quality furnishings, Wi-Fi, well equipped kitchens, quality audio visual equipment, iPod docking stations linked to music systems or standalone systems. The providing of good quality bedding and towels, a good standard of property maintenance and a 24 hour helpline if they get a problem.

The Wight Holiday Company can provide help and guidance to holiday home owners on how to rent their property and what is required in order to make them maximise their rental potential. We also provide assistance with all the necessary housekeeping, laundry, property management, property maintenance as well as guest services to fully look after the property, property owners and the paying guests.

Many owners find the prospect of renting their holiday home out, here are a few questions and answers that may help you if are thinking of renting out your holiday property.

Why should I rent my property?

Renting out your property is a beneficial way of making the most of your property and at the same time help to cover your annual costs and, if marketed effectively, generate extra income.

Before renting your property you may wish to consider the following:

· How often will you wish to visit for a holiday there? Remember there are peak times throughout the year when the holiday rental is at its highest premium and you will earn a good return.

· How much income do you require? Are you only interested in reaping enough income to cover costs or do you wish to maximise the income to its full capacity? If you want a maximum return then you will want to read on and take note of the advice given as it will be very helpful.

How shall I go about renting my property?

You will need to provide a professional holiday property booking service as well as a comprehensive property management service.

· Booking enquiries

· Booking conditions

· Payment

· Security deposit

· Cancellations

· Housekeeper notifications

The Wight Holiday Company can cover all aspects of “how shall I go about renting my property” on an owners behalf, meaning that owners have no need to keep checking emails or phones for booking enquiries as we do that for you. You can relax and enjoy yourself whilst your property is taken care of.

Now, have you ever wondered why some owners manage to let their properties easily while others struggle to cover running costs? We believe there are three Key Elements:

· Professional Management Service

· Luxury Environment –  A real Home from Home

· Efficient Marketing

· Time and effort – The more you put in the more you will get back from your property

Please take a look on our website under the Property Owners section for further information on how The Wight Holiday Company can help you.

Professional Management Service

To ensure you provide a quality rental service, we advise you to cover the following key points as they will help you in the long run:

· Property should be thoroughly cleaned between each rental.

· Fresh linen and clean towels provided for each rental and a mid-change of linen and towels if staying for longer than 1 – 2 weeks.

· Clients require a point of contact in case of emergency

· Property needs to be regularly checked for leaks, electrical faults,

· Insurance, making sure you have holiday home insurance is a MUST! We recommend contacting Boshers – http://www.boshers.co.uk/holiday-home-insurance/

Create a Welcoming Environment – Home from Home

Clients are more likely to look after your property and belongings if you have taken pride, time and made a real effort in creating the perfect holiday home for them to enjoy.

· Try to create 4* or 5* luxury if you can, you will reap the rewards

· A property needing a low level maintenance is ideal

· Furnishing with good quality furniture that will last longer

· Remember less is often more, try minimalist with co-ordinated bed linen & accessories to create the luxury look.

Try to think like a holidaymaker – you want your clients to return again and again and also recommend your property to friends so that they then book a stay too!

· Entertainment – wide screen TV, DVD, games console

· Selection of books, DVDs, CDs, games always goes down well with guests

· Satellite TV

· Internet connection is something guests expect as standard

· Welcome pack – always welcome after a long journey, especially with local produce from Island companies

· A travel cot and a high chair is always worth having in a property as sometimes that really can be a booking clincher for  guests with a baby.

Little Extras – They go a long way

Little things often make the biggest impact and are often the most remembered

· Toilet rolls

· Hand pump soaps in toilets and bathrooms

· Provide the basics such as sugar, salt, pepper, oil

· A small supply of dishwasher tablets

· Perhaps also a supply of washing powder  

Information Pack for Guests

It is always useful to include an information pack for guests when they stay at your property so that they know how the house works and any little quirks etc. We suggest providing the following information:

· Information – provide information of how to use kitchen utilities, TVs, entertainment system, heating, air-conditioning etc.

· House Rules – you may wish to display rules with regard to noise, heating, shoes, rubbish disposal, how the property should be left on departure etc.

· Emergency Numbers – display the telephone number of the local person to contact in emergency.

· Local Info – include local information e.g. taxi numbers, local supermarkets, recommended restaurants and visitor attractions etc.

· Guest Book – guests enjoy reading comments from previous guests who have rented the property. Plus they often provide useful advise and give suggestions for trips etc.

· Excursions – useful to collate information from the local tourist board. Do remember to keep things up to date!

· A local map – can also useful

· Property Quirks – perhaps the property has 2 fuse boards or a booster for the TV upstairs that needs to be on in order for the TV to work – things like the fore mentioned would not be obvious to guests so by telling them you will reduce any issues or contractor call outs…

We hope that the above information helps you on deciding whether to holiday let your property on the Isle of Wight and if so gives you some pointers on guest expectations. If we can help you any further then please do not hesitate to contact us at info@thewightholidaycompany.co.uk we would love to hear from you!