From property maintenance to gardening, there are many things to consider when running a holiday let. Keeping your holiday home in good working order is one of the keys to successful holiday letting. In this article, Archpress discuss their top ten holiday let maintenance tips.
Maintaining the Exterior of your Holiday Home
According to the Sykes Holiday Cottages Staycation Index 2023, gardens and outdoor spaces were in the top three property features influencing Brits’ choice of holiday accommodation in the UK.From the moment guests arrive at your property, the first thing they will see is the outdoor space, so it's important to keep this area well-maintained. Whether your holiday let has a simple parking space or a large country estate, maintaining the exterior space by keeping it clean and tidy throughout the year will help create a strong first impression.
You will also want to:
Ensure all paths and steps are well lit to avoid any hazards
Maintain the area to the front of the property
Include a secure keypad or key box for guests to access the property
Clean windows regularly to keep the property looking impressive on arrival
Provide regular garden maintenance including mowing, fertilising and weed removal
You'll also need to ensure the property is thoroughly cleaned and maintained during changeovers, including all appliances and cupboards.
Know the Legal Requirements for Letting a Holiday Property
As a holiday let owner, it's important to make sure your property meets all the necessary holiday let regulations. With frequent changes to gas and electricity regulations, it is important to ensure these certificates are up to date. You'll also need to:
Ensure smoke alarms and Co2 alarms are regularly checked
Keep your boiler serviced annually
Does your property require PAT testing for insurance purposes?
When it comes to maintaining a holiday let, you can never be too prepared. Keeping on top of common maintenance issues such as loose door handles, decaying fence panels and flaking paint on walls can prevent bigger problems further down the line, which may result in negative feedback from guests.
Prioritising simple maintenance tasks can help reduce the risk of expensive repair costs and long-term damage to your property.
As a holiday home owner, it's important to have the right health and safety measures in place to reduce your liability should any accidents happen. If your property contains potentially hazardous features such as low ceilings, make sure to identify any trip/slip hazards with clear signage.
You will also want to leave a list of emergency numbers, provide warnings of potential dangers and handrails on staircases for any guests visiting your holiday cottage.
One of the biggest advantages to using a holiday let maintenance service is the time and hassle it can save you.
When choosing a company to maintain your holiday home, you should ask the following:
Do they have a company registration number?
Are they VAT registered?
Ensure they have the correct insurance
Are they DBS checked?
Is their website professional?
You'll also want to:
Have regular communication with them and build a relationship
Make sure everything is effectively maintained during changeovers
Ensure everything is communicated in writing to be able to keep a log
Ensure the maintenance company has before and after pictures
Ensure they are communicating with your guests to prevent negative reviews
Make sure they are available 24/7 and there are no hidden costs
Have a Maintenance Company That Offers 24/7 Support
When you welcome guests at your property and receive unexpected calls at unsociable hours, it can be hard to find a reliable tradesman to complete the necessary maintenance tasks.
Hiring an independent contractor means running the risk of extortionate rates, as well as no-show builders who may demand payment before arrival.
It's crucial to work with a holiday let maintenance company who covers all trades and employs reliable contractors for the job, providing support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Have a How To Use Guide
To keep costs down, it is useful to have a how-to-use maintenance guide at the property. This can include:
The location of stop cocks
The location of boiler and thermostat
The fuse board
The mains water tap
Get The Best Quote
Paying thorough attention to detail will ensure you get the most value for your money when arranging maintenance services. You will want to:
Ensure your instructed tradesman provides full breakdowns of materials and labour
Ensure to take photographs of any damage
Talk through your quotation and question anything you are unclear with
Understand the issue at your property
Be Aware Of The Payment Terms
Is your chosen trade able to professionally deal with your insurance company?
Do they offer finance options?
Do they take card payments?
Do they take BAC payments?
Are they VAT registered?
It is advisable not to pay cash to contractors. You'll also want to check whether they send professional invoices and remittances on payment.
Check For Guarantees
It is standard practice to ensure all workmanship come with a guarantee. Whether it's a broken boiler or window repair, contractors are legally required to provide a warranty period. The total length of time will be dependent on the maintenance works completed.
Carry Out Regular Property Inspections
While holiday home owners would like to let out their properties year-round, there may be times when this is not the case. It is important to have regular maintenance checks when the property is vacant for maximum security. Out of season checks may include:
To summarise, the key elements of maintaining your holiday let are as follows:
Establish which holiday home maintenance tasks are the most important
Be aware of the legal health and safety requirements when letting a holiday property
Choose reliable holiday let maintenance professionals
If you’d like to discover what a holiday let maintenance company can offer you, head over to Archpress and find out more about their priority service scheme, where Sykes owners can claim an exclusive 10% discount.
Need help with the next steps of your holiday letting journey?
If you're thinking of buying a holiday let or just need some advice, our property experts can help answer any queries you may have.
As a holiday letting owner you are responsible for compliance with health & safety laws, regulations and guidance, and for having suitable insurances in place (not Sykes Holiday Cottages or its brands (Sykes)). From time to time, Sykes shares information with you on the topic of health and safety and insurance. When it does so, it is not providing you with advice (legal, financial, tax or otherwise); please seek your own as you see fit. In addition, it is not making any representations or warranties about the information being complete or free from errors or inaccuracies. Sykes shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising under or in connection with your reliance on it.
Archpress, Holiday Let Maintenance
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