| If you own a home in a holiday spot you may | | | | will need to make sure its is tidy and presentable. |
| well take the decision to rent it out to | | | | Any rubbish should be cleared and bins emptied. |
| vacationers. But before deciding on taking on such | | | | Also any personal postal items and circulars should |
| a course of action there many things to consider. | | | | be removed from the property. |
| You will need to advertise the property, take | | | | - The property must be kept in good order, with |
| bookings and ensure it is properly insured. If the | | | | pipes lagged. All electrical items should be switched |
| home is situated in a popular holiday spot there | | | | off when the holiday home is not occupied. |
| should be a choice of holiday letting agencies to | | | | - Prepare an inventory for guests and make |
| help you take care of the details. | | | | them aware of their responsibility for any |
| Should you decide to deal with a local agent, or | | | | breakages. |
| deal with letting the property yourself, here are | | | | - Draw up a list of house rules for guests. But do |
| some important tips to consider: | | | | be careful here. Rules must be reasonable and |
| - Ensure your property is properly insured. It can | | | | don't be tempted to try and cover everything. A |
| be difficult to insure holiday homes for rental for | | | | rule of thumb may be that if your rules cover |
| two main reasons. They may be left unoccupied, | | | | more than one side of paper then they be a little |
| particularly during the winter months, for long | | | | excessive! |
| periods. | | | | - Make sure you have received payment for the |
| - Also due to the nature of holiday letting and a | | | | rental period and that any cheques have cleared |
| high turnover of people renting the property, | | | | before handing over the house keys. |
| there is an increased possibility of theft or | | | | - Make sure you state in the rental contract how |
| damage. However, there are specialist insurance | | | | much any deposits to be paid are, and how soon |
| agencies which will help you insure the property. | | | | after vacating the property the guests can |
| - Make sure the proposed holiday home meets | | | | expect the deposit to be returned. |
| the statutory requirements, such as fire and | | | | A holiday letting agent will be able to deal with |
| furnishings safety regulations. Safety certificates | | | | many of these issues should you decide to rent |
| will also be needed for gas appliances, and | | | | out your holiday home. Should you decide |
| electrical items must be safe to use. | | | | whether to use an agent or not, these tips will be |
| - Before renting your home to holidaymakers you | | | | most helpful. |