Holiday cottage letting & promotion

[Chris F]

Ive never had a problem with dog owners in 10 years.

Have to say I agree - dogs were no issues for us - doctors and lawyers are the worst guests. I've never seen the place left in such a state.

Hot tubs are definiely popular, but the HSE stuff around emptying them every time is very consuming.

 

[Still Farming]

"Posher" the Guests the worst they treat the place definitely.

 

[matthew]

"Posher" the Guests the worst they treat the place definitely.

^^^^^^
This.

 

[SilliamWhale]

Have to say I agree - dogs were no issues for us - doctors and lawyers are the worst guests. I've never seen the place left in such a state.

Hot tubs are definiely popular, but the HSE stuff around emptying them every time is very consuming.

I have to say I dont do as well with holiday lets as i used to. Not having a great year but luckily its a pension. Need to keep evolving it

 

[Chris F]

I have to say I dont do as well with holiday lets as i used to. Not having a great year but luckily its a pension. Need to keep evolving it

It was the heart of my farm in Cornwall. More guests meant more sales in the farm shop.

Worked really hard on google, but that was 9 years ago. Not quite so up to date since I sold up to work full time on TFF.

 

[Still Farming]

I have to say I dont do as well with holiday lets as i used to. Not having a great year but luckily its a pension. Need to keep evolving it

So many doing it.
Everyone and their dog puts shed, garage ,granny flat on a b and b etc undercutting and sidestepping rules regs and taxes plus cheap all inclusive deals abroad gives genuine holiday cottage businesses a hammering.

 

[Glen Lad]

Beware of hot tub workload and weekly running costs,you have to test water every day
and tweek the chemical .Takes around 30 quid a week in power and 5 on chemical. Remember
change over day drain down surface clean replace filter refill an least 1.5 hours min plus heating time.
Alot of work but will increase your number of weeks.

 

[7610 super q]

Beware of hot tub workload and weekly running costs,you have to test water every day
and tweek the chemical .Takes around 30 quid a week in power and 5 on chemical. Remember
change over day drain down surface clean replace filter refill an least 1.5 hours min plus heating time.
Alot of work but will increase your number of weeks.

Think I'll make do with less weeks.......

 

[Pond digger]

Think I'll make do with less weeks.......

They’re just not British.

 

[Muddyroads]

We’ve been with Airbnb for 3 years and it works really well. Think it’s changed the way people holiday now, often preferring short breaks. By charging a cleaning fee at least costs are covered. Worst thing for us is having to deduct VAT.

 

[Rowland]

Google holiday cottages in your area and see which companies come 1st on the search . Most cottage companies will have a owners page or will send a package out with what they think you should do to achieve each different star rating.
Visit England may help you with your venture. Also there was an article on the news this morning about multi generations going on holiday together now . Big open living area are very popular now.
15-20% commission depending on companies.
When you decorate your cottage make it easy to clean , clean line with no dust dirt collection points.
We don’t t pets and it doesn’t seam to affect our bookings .
Renting any house out comes with rules and regs along with most lines of business these days most are just good practice .gas safety check for boilers pat test for electrics .............
Keep your standards up . I employ a cleaner for change over days.
Use commercial companies like Out of Eden for bedding showers gels etc .
Hotel spec crockery which is vitrified with life time guarantee against chipping.
There’s a place in Kendal I use .

 

[Puff]

I bought my home in Carmarthenshire and it came with a separate 5* Wales barn conversion as an established business - approx. 20-25 bookings a year. I have continued to do exactly as my predecessors but added some bits and pieces - modernised a some things, decorated, new sofas blah - plus also increased my google ranking (hard work in itself) from P7 - P1.

First year was comparative to the previous owner's previous year with usual returners. Added bonus of long term autumn/winter let with some contractors. Second year (last) was not as good but I had one couple house hunting that filled in any summer/autumn gaps. This year, literally up until 10 days ago has been very quiet and I had one summer booking. I'm now nearly fully booked for August/September and some of October.

I have not changed anything that the previous owners were not doing in terms of advertising since I purchased and the tourist authorities they were listed in. I accept dogs and probably last year the majority of my requests were dog owners. Also last year I tried/tested a couple of those magazines that ring you up offering space at great rates and no returns on any of them. I am not AirBnB, though that is more to do with time management than anything else.

I have a good (100% 5*) Trip Advisor review rating and I get regular requests from there. I have a core of returners. I have just signed up with holidaycottages.co.uk who just seemed to be a nice bunch than the others, which is where I've had this bunch of bookings from.

I manage my property remotely most of the time and have a lovely couple to do the changeovers & grounds maintenance for when I'm unable to.

I shall probably end down on last year though. Next year should be better and I already have 5 bookings.