The Definitive Top Holiday Cottage Letting Tips

May 22, 2012 - PRLog -- HERE in the North East we know the region to be God’s own country - and, with clean beaches, a stunning coastline, castles, stately homes and acre upon acre of unspoilt countryside, it is no wonder increasing numbers of visitors from the UK and abroad are heading to Northumberland to holiday.

Consequently, demand for holiday properties has never been higher, from stylish beachside apartments to traditional country cottages.
Renting out a property to paying guests can be enjoyable and financially rewarding. It is vital, however, to identify your market and then do everything you can to anticipate and meet its holiday requirements.

A first and crucial step is to ensure you have adequate insurance cover in place.
Building and contents insurance will be similar to that you would have in place for your own home. Do check if any specific security measures are required and also that your policy covers theft by non-forcible entry. This will ensure you are covered if the property is burgled because windows have been left open.

Your policy should cover any outdoor furniture as well as indoor furnishings and also accidental damage by guests, not just by the owner.
It is worth checking how long you can leave your property unoccupied without invalidating your cover and some insurers may insist the heating is left on during the winter even if no-one is occupying the property.

In addition, Public Liability insurance will cover you against any claims a guest makes against you if they injure themselves while staying in your property and you should opt for an insurance company that offers policies tailored to holiday lettings.
Once you have insurance in place, it is necessary to consider who your property is aimed at. Are your prepared to welcome pets, for example? The excellent walks available in Northumberland make it a Mecca for dog owners and, providing you ensure the property is deep-cleaned after each occupant leaves and impose conditions, such as excluding dogs from bedrooms, it is not hard to make a property pet friendly.

If your property has a garden then it is likely to appeal to guests with children. You may want to encourage young guests by providing play equipment, outdoor furniture, a barbecue or even a hot tub - again, ensure these are covered by your insurance policy and are routinely maintained and safe.

Parents travelling with babies and toddlers need holiday homes that have been kitted out with youngsters in mind. Cots, stairgates and baby changing facilities are all relatively cheap to provide and can be stored out of sight when not in use.

If you do decide you want to attract specific guest groups such as dog owners and young families then it is worth highlighting in your advertising and on your website that you are dog-friendly and toddler-friendly. These are the key terms that people type into their internet search engines when looking for a suitable holiday home.

On the subject of the internet, even the most traditional country cottages are still expected to have modern conveniences such as televisions and wireless Wi-Fi connections. Details of passwords needed to access the internet should be clearly visible.
Lyn Cole, Director of Newcastle-based holiday property letting agency Cottages in Northumberland (http://www.cottagesinnorthumberland.co.uk), also has this advice:

“When letting out a holiday property it is vital you make regular checks to ensure all appliances and utilities are working properly and the property is in a good state of repair.
“This is actually where a letting agency really comes into its own. Not only do agencies handle all the administration and bookings of holiday homes but they generally also offer a maintenance service, covering everything from sun beds to shower fittings.
“Of course, as in so many things, the devil is in the detail and it is the little extras you include -  such as board games, books, DVDs and jigsaws along with garden items such as tennis rackets, bats and balls -  which will make sure your guests have a great holiday.

“Holidaymakers will expect and appreciate a welcome pack in the property with emergency contact details along with local information about places to go to and restaurants worth visiting. It is also a kindness to ensure some basic provisions are available such as milk, bacon, bread, butter and even a bottle of wine - this is also a great way of introducing guests to local food producers.”
Our final piece of advice for owners preparing to rent out their property is this: stay in it yourself for a couple of weeks. Only then will you know for sure it is ready to receive holidaymakers.

•   Cottages in Northumberland currently features more than 90 holiday properties on its website in coastal areas such as Seahouses and Bamburgh and in inland villages including Rothbury. It also provides an advice service to owners who are thinking of renting out their property to holidaymakers.

Lyn Cole is a Director of Cottages in Northumberland
For further information about Cottages in Northumberland call 0191 231 3020 or e-mail enquiries@cottagesinnorthumberland.co.uk