Posted on 26/09/2018 by David
Depending on the type of holiday home owner you are, you may be very hands-on in the maintenance and management of your property or decide to have someone else do it for you.
The advantages of using a letting agency to promote and manage your property are discussed here but there are several things you need to have in place before you start letting it out.
The practical jobs associated with managing a holiday home, for example cleaning and laundry, are straightforward but time consuming. Even if you enjoy the whole process, other demands of managing your holiday home may take precedence over these housekeeping tasks.
Alternatively, you may prefer to get someone in so you can concentrate on marketing and managing bookings - it's entirely your choice and dependent on your personal circumstances.
Personal preference, time constraints, your own residential location or job and family commitments will all dictate how involved you are in the day-to-day management of your holiday property.
In this new blog mini series we take a closer look at some of the practical things you should arrange before letting your holiday cottage out. Some you may have thought of already, others might not be so obvious - all are important for a memorable guest experience!
In the first instalment of our new series, we're getting down and dirty discussing two of the most important services to arrange before you start letting your home - your cleaning and laundry providers.
Cleaning
When a guest enters you holiday home for the first time they should feel as though they are the first person to ever stay in it. First impressions count and finding a cleaner that understands this will be crucial to your success as a holiday home owner.
Do a quick Google search and you'll find a plethora of cleaning companies in your area - everything from large, commercial outfits to sole traders. Don't forget, one of the advantages of using a reputable holiday cottage letting agency like North Wales Holiday Cottages is that it can assist you in your search for a cleaner, having local knowledge and many existing contacts.
NWHC's Richard says:
Do your research. The quality and price of a reputable cleaner varies enormously. Speak to friends or fellow holiday home owners and ask them who they use or would recommend.
Whether you opt for an individual cleaner or a bigger company or agency will depend on several factors including budget, personal preference, availability, reputation and reliability. For example, an individual cleaner may want to take a holiday or fall sick during holiday season which could be very inconvenient for you. This is less likely to be an issue if you use a company that employs several cleaners. However, individual cleaners could work out cheaper than a bigger company, as they have fewer overheads to cover.
A reliable cleaner with an eye for detail is essential for visitor satisfaction and will maintain the high standards of your home. It's notoriously difficult to get a good one, so hang onto them when you do!
Make sure you are both happy with the terms of the agreement and, if possible, fix the price and payment terms for the season. Some cleaners have been known to change their prices or terms mid-season which can have an impact on your bottom line.
Things to cover in your agreement:
- are they insured?
- what days and times they are required (this can be a very small window if you have guests departing and arriving on the same day);
- what cleaning tasks they are to undertake (a cleaning or changeover day checklist is handy);
- arrangements for occasional seasonal and deep cleans;
- their flexibility - to handle midweek or short break changeovers, for example;
- and their availability in an emergency - for example preparing the home for a last minute booking.
Remember, if you don't live in the same place as your property or you have other commitments, you won't be able to inspect it before guests arrive.
NWHC's David warns:
We cannot stress enough the importance of choosing a cleaner that meets your standards consistently, even if it means paying a premium for it. Too many times we've spoken to owners who've been stung by going for the cheapest option.
A recent survey by North Wales Holiday Cottages found that experienced holiday letting owners are happy to pay a premium for a good service and peace of mind.
Laundry & ironing
A regular or high turnover of guests through your property generates an enormous amount of laundry, never mind cleaning, and many of the same principles apply when searching for a reputable laundry company.
Some homeowners wash, iron and change linen themselves. Linen includes bed clothes, towels, dishcloths, throws, pillowcases and so on. Managing it all yourself can be difficult and it's an area that visitors are real sticklers for. For example, if you wash but don't iron bed linen many guests assume it hasn't even been washed - appearances count for everything here.
Have at least three complete sets of linen for your holiday property. This way one set can be out getting cleaned, one set can be in use, leaving one set spare for emergencies,
says Barbara, NWHC.
Many cleaners provide a laundry service, either washed and ironed by themselves or - more commonly - taken to a local launderette for a service wash (laundry is washed and ironed). As part of their regular changeover schedule, the cleaner will drop off the laundry and collect it later on your behalf. We think having your cleaner handle the laundry and ironing is the most cost-effective, hassle free and convenient option for you as an owner.
Alternatively, for a complete service, you might consider using a linen hire company. There are advantages to this option too: you won’t need to invest in multiple sets of linen; you won't need to worry about having enough; and the hassle of washing and ironing yourself is removed.
However, it will cost more long term and you're likely to be limited by the choice of sheets and towels available - an important consideration if deluxe soft furnishings and accessories are an aesthetic feature of your holiday property. The quality and reliability of linen from a hire company varies enormously too, so you will really need to do your homework before choosing one.
Areas with a thriving tourist economy, like North Wales, tend to have a good selection of laundry companies serving the tourist-focused businesses that operate here but it may be more challenging to find a laundry service in less touristy places or remote locations.
And finally...
As we mentioned right at the beginning of this blog, how much or how little you involve yourself in the day-to-day running of your holiday property will depend upon many things. Where you do choose to 'contract out' we've shown it's essential to do your research and know exactly what you want before you commit to anything. If it all seems like too much, we're on hand to take the hassle out of holiday home management for you, just get in touch.
Next time, we'll look at three more essential household services that should be organised before letting your holiday cottage: gardening and window cleaning.