This is a regular question we get asked here at The Cotswold Letting Agency – Can I rent my house while I’m on holiday? The answer is YES. If you are a Cotswold homeowner, we can help you make money from your home whilst you’re away – be it on holiday, abroad for work or other reasons.
If you want to extend that skiing break over half term or bask in some winter sun, you can trust us to manage your house as a Cotswold private holiday let. Unlike other holiday let companies or estate agents, we offer flexibility, a bespoke service and total discretion throughout; these private holiday lets are something we specialise in.
A private holiday let is different to our furnished Cotswold short let and long let services. With a private holiday let you can rent out your home while on holiday as a one off, or if you are a frequent traveller you can work with us each and every time you are away.
As your agent we offer objectivity, integrity and guidance, supporting you in making money from your home while you’re away. We pride ourselves on our ability to tailor our services to suit the individual needs of our owners, working with you to ensure your home is taken care of when you rent it out while on holiday.
What do we need from you?
Before we can put your property on the market, there are a few simple steps that you will need to follow…
Organise a viewing
It’s really important that our team gets to view your property in person and have a discussion with you to make certain that we understand your needs. This enables us to provide you with the best possible plan to make money from your home while you’re away.
Compliance
We would need documents that confirm your property is safe to rent out, including up to date chimney sweep, gas safety or boiler service certificate, EICR (electrical installation condition report), EPC (energy performance certificate), Proof of Fire Safety Standards (evidence of installed fire alarms, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors) and a completed Fire Risk Assessment.
Availability
Whether you’re away for short regular intervals or large periods, we can maximize the availability of your property, we just need a scheduled calendar that we can follow to ensure this. If your travel plans change, just let us know as soon as possible and we can make amendments accordingly. If you’re undecided about when you may be travelling but are keen to make money from your home while you’re away, rest assured we can offer guidance on the best way to rent out your home while on holiday. With over twenty years experience in the lettings market we believe our market knowledge is second to none.
Preparing your property
First impressions are crucial – a well presented home encourages repeat clients and helps to build a great reputation. When looking to rent your home while on holiday it will need to be prepared to a high standard. We can suggest if we feel your home may need a little freshen up in places, recommend that personal items and valuable possessions are removed and advise on the finishing touches such as quality bed linen and towels to ensure each guest has the same amazing stay and experience as the last. Our little black book is bursting with contacts that can help you ensure your home is ready for rental.
Where do we come in?
We pride ourselves on providing our service to the highest of standards. We work hard to ensure that your home will be looked after and cared for by fully referenced tenants on terms that suit you. When you trust us to rent out your home while on holiday we can reassure you that our onboarding process is organised, efficient and thorough – enabling you to go on your holiday feeling reassured and stress free.
Compliance
We will store all your certificates safely and remind you of any renewal dates. We also have an excellent range of trusted contractors who can perform these for you.
Photography
We can arrange images, a floorplan and a virtual tour if required and present your home in its best light alongside a charming description to entice guests.
Marketing
We recognise the need to stand out, that’s why we provide maximum exposure across multiple advertising platforms, nimble marketing and lightning fast response rates.
Communication & Viewings
We personally attend all viewings and, unlike others, we know and understand your property and the kind of guests you’re looking for.
Check Ins
Whilst you’re away, we can keep a watchful eye on your property and make sure everything is operating smoothly.
Security
We greet guests with a contract to ensure the security of your bookings and terms of their stay.
Welcoming Guests
We have welcome and guidance templates that we can make specific to your home and share with your guests, so when they arrive they will know exactly where everything is and how it all works.
The final step is to hand over the keys and go & enjoy your holiday!
If you’re interested to find out more about how we can help you to make money from your home while you’re away, feel free to get in touch with Olly or Fergus at The Cotswold Letting Agency.
You can pop into our Burford office – we’re just off the high street at 15 Witney Street. Or pop us an email or quick phone call using the details at the top of the website.