Holiday letting business advice

Advice to people who are thinking about entering into the holiday letting business

Operations Manager, Mary Harlow, gives some general tips for first time holiday home investments.

Our advice would be to select a holiday home somewhere you would choose to holiday yourself and somewhere that would suit your own personal use. Most importantly, the property must be a desirable destination for your potential guests. In essence, this means that the house itself, its setting and/or the view should be capable of producing good photographs so that it will stand out against the competition in a brochure or Web site. At the top end of the market, good quality, comfortable homes can command a substantial high season rental and a long letting period throughout the year (Christmas and New Year demand peak rates).

Discerning guests will want space and privacy both inside and out, so rather than trying to accommodate more people, remember that an extra bath or shower-room may add better value than another bedroom. Some of our most popular holiday homes have an equal number of bedrooms and bathrooms, ideal for couples or multi-generation families holidaying together throughout the seasons. Smaller groups also mean less wear and tear – and in a rural or beachside house, a downstairs shower-room will prevent a trail of outside dirt or sand throughout the house.

Gardens that offer shelter and privacy will always be more attractive to relax in than a shared area or courtyard, so bear this in mind if planning to convert a range of buildings.

Buy the best fittings and furniture you can afford – your guests will be delighted to stay in your holiday home, will want to come back, and so will cherish it in return. Quality fabrics, carpets and upholstery will last longer, clean better and be well respected by all who stay.