The Ultimate Guide To Running Your Holiday Cottage Remotely

Owning a holiday let can be a very rewarding and profitable business venture however, like any business, it requires time and effort to ensure everything runs smoothly. Your properties may lie in Cornwall, Devon and Dorset while you live in London or beyond: looking after properties when you’re on the other side of the country can make handling your business even more tricky. Luckily for you, we’ve got plenty of tips and tricks to ensure remotely letting your property is an easy process.

Employ a full time or part time property manager

To manage the daily tasks that arise with every property, you’ll need someone your business can depend on; someone whose standards are as high as yours! Depending on the service you require, they must be able to manage your house effectively, handle any mechanical issues, oversee the cleaning rota and keep the garden pristine.

It’s a great idea to create multiple checklists; cleaning, gardening, property management and for yourself. This will ensure every guest has the same exceptional experience.

Hire a reliable cleaning company

A local cleaning company can return your property to tip top condition after each set of guests have left. They should change and wash all the linen, empty and disinfect the fridge and refill any essential supplies such as toilet roll and dishwasher tablets.

Write up an inventory of all the items in your property and the cleaning company can check all these items are present. Plus, they’ll be able to look for any damages or breakages. You’ll want to check how many staff the cleaning company employ to ensure your property is dealt with despite annual leave and sickness.

Pre-empt your guests’ every need

Send your guests the WiFi password before they arrive and let them know you will be available on FaceTime or another video chat platform on the day in order to properly welcome them and answer any questions they may have.

Think about the type of guest they are – are they corporate travellers or a busy family? The needs and standards of your guests will vary depending on their type of visit.

Take a look at our guide to what to include in your welcome pack.

Provide all the essential information

Are your welcome booklets absolutely up-to-date and is the information presented clearly? Note anything that’s unique to your flat, e.g. you need to flick on the red switch by the fridge in order to turn on the hot water for the showers. Also include a map of the local area with the nearest food shops, pharmacies, hospitals, etc. as well as any emergency contact numbers.

Use a key safe

People will need to check in to your property at all hours of the day and unexpected traffic or delays can result in them checking in at completely different times than you initially agreed. Your caretaker might not be available to be on-call at all hours of the day, so use a key safe affixed in a secure place that’s simultaneously easy to find. Share the code with guests prior to their arrival, but don’t forget to change the code regularly.

Ensure rubbish is sorted and collected correctly

Rubbish collection and recycling rules differ from town to town and city to city, so don’t assume people know what to do. Make it clear what the system is to your caretaker or cleaner and, if it transpires that things aren’t being done correctly, arrange for a paid commercial rubbish service. There are a few other things you can do to make your property more eco-friendly as well, check them out here.

Make your property as smart as possible

Nowadays there are a number of gadgets that can help you manage your holiday let all from the comfort of your own phone. For example, you can control the temperature of the property with smart thermometers, ensuring your house won’t be damaged by damp or reach baltic temperatures in the cold winter months.

You can also put your lights on timers so your property looks occupied (even when it isn’t) for long periods of time. This should deter burglars from breaking into your holiday letting.

Provide the extras that make all the difference

There are plenty of things you can provide to show you’ve really thought of everything. A few of our favourites include:

• Snacks, fresh fruit or soft drinks

• Plug adapters (for those international guests)

• Bluetooth speaker

• Fresh towels and shower supplies

Don’t forget to leave a nudge card at your property asking for a positive review and follow up with an email to make sure your guests enjoyed their stay and if there’s anything that would have improved their stay. 

Don’t be put off managing your property remotely. With enough planning and the help of trusted staff, it can just as smoothly. For more expert advice on running your holiday rental and listing with GroupAccommodation.com, talk to one of our experts today.