Holiday cottage

[frustratedfarmer]

And they pay their own oil and CT, less insurance

 

[nelly55]

An ast tenant is only good when rent is paid,no damage to property.
On an ast they want yearly decorating ,new carpets,constsnt moaning about repairs and new law means more than likely take you to the cleaners to get them out.
Rent arrears forget it.
Yes there are good tenants ,I know but sadly some very bad ones.
Yes you can have some bad holiday makers ,but at least they leave on a set day.
On agents the fees seem high a local agent on full management for ast charges 10% all in.
Holiday agents 20% p!us vat,plus other fees and the guest pays as well.
With email you can take bookings from all over the world in 20 mins last night from first email to payment a guest booked from Canada.

 

[frustratedfarmer]

That is true, it depends on your area and type of property. I have been very lucky here, all our resi lets are 'nice' houses and attract a certain type of tenant.

Not such 'nice' houses may attract a different type which I accept gives headaches

 

[J B]

+1 No bloody business rates either !!

But in Wales, they are currently discounted by ..................... 100%!

 

[Penmoel]

But in Wales, they are currently discounted by ..................... 100%!

Tell me where then, we live in the west and are paying thousands to the effin council !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[frustratedfarmer]

Ahh by the llyn Briannie (sp!?) damn.

Used to go there as a kid for picnics all the time! Lovely part of wales

 

[Penmoel]

20% commission is steep but look out for their customer (holiday maker ) rate and you (client) price as usually varst difference and they not only take their commission out of your rate but vat also so in the end 20% is nearly 50% deductions ????

Its 20% + vat so its actually about 24% not nearly 50%.

Plus they also charge a £35 booking fee to the holiday maker so on a £500 week the charge £535 and pay us £380.

We do do a few weeks private if contacted direct

 

[Penmoel]

On your signature here (the bit that when you post, it's at the bottom underneath your post, or someone clicks on your profile and it shows up then. Mine is 'a thing of beauty is a joy forever' )

@GTB @SilliamWhale

Done

 

[SilliamWhale]

Tell me where then, we live in the west and are paying thousands to the effin council !!!!!!!!!!!!

Holiday cottage = business relief with proof of 70 days letting per year. Contact district valuer

 

[SilliamWhale]

Its 20% + vat so its actually about 24% not nearly 50%.

Plus they also charge a £35 booking fee to the holiday maker so on a £500 week the charge £535 and pay us £380.

We do do a few weeks private if contacted direct

Honestly put it on holidaylettings.co.uk as well

 

[Penmoel]

Holiday cottage = business relief with proof of 70 days letting per year. Contact district valuer

Business relief only available on RV of less than I think £12,000 , ours of course is £12,100

 

[Still Farming]

Its 20% + vat so its actually about 24% not nearly 50%.

Plus they also charge a £35 booking fee to the holiday maker so on a £500 week the charge £535 and pay us £380.

We do do a few weeks private if contacted direct

£380 minus vat @20% also

 

[GTB]

The trick with agencies is to make sure you're allowed a certain amount of private bookings without penalties.

 

[J B]

Tell me where then, we live in the west and are paying thousands to the effin council !!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, it certainly happens in Gwynedd, just assumed it was a Welsh thing .......... maybe not.

 

[Still Farming]

VOA Got you over a barrel .
If your over the rv limit then full rates due.
If you dont meet the bed nights criteria and are below the rv limit for rebate they charge you domestic council tax as house in the street but as mentioned earlier if as most holiday cottages have planning sec.106 clauses restricting to 1 client per month per property etc you can not rent out long term to same persons BUT the voa still want their Money !!!
The local authority only collect rates so dont want to know.
The VOA Dont care as tax for them.
They would be better off chasing the evaders that do not declare their income than persercute the above board genuine "Holiday cottage" business.

 

[balerman]

How many weeks a year do you guys with your own websites get.Our agents charge a lot I think,20% + VAT,but we do get 35-40 weeks a year let,and sometimes a longer let through the winter,how does that compare to an established website of your own?

 

[SilliamWhale]

How many weeks a year do you guys with your own websites get.Our agents charge a lot I think,20% + VAT,but we do get 35-40 weeks a year let,and sometimes a longer let through the winter,how does that compare to an established website of your own?

But what if you can get 20% of 20 weeks? All adds up

 

[SilliamWhale]

Sorry, it certainly happens in Gwynedd, just assumed it was a Welsh thing .......... maybe not. [/QUOTE

Wires crossed here somewhere.@Penmoel should be able to claim 100% relief on his holiday lets

 

[SilliamWhale]

The trick with agencies is to make sure you're allowed a certain amount of private bookings without penalties.

No tell them you are allowed to book who you want and they fit in around as well. Things have changed you have to have a presence on lots of sites to hit as much exposure and agents dont fill every niche you need ie Facebook, trip advisor

 

[Still Farming]

Always small print with them and some great termination get outs too ???