Stress Free Holiday Rentals Part Two

Stress Free Holiday Rentals Part Two

If you’re planning on renting out your property in the Costa del Sol or other parts of Spain then here is part two of our top 12 tips for holiday rentals. Don’t forget to bookmark the page so that you can find it the next time you need it!

1.      Put Together an Information Pack About Your Property

The demand for rental properties in the Costa del Sol is outstripping supply

Holiday renters need to know the community rules and so you should put together an information pack that contains this information. They should know the rules about leaving towels on balconies, playing loud music, having late night parties, and using the pool incorrectly. If your renters cause trouble it could get you in trouble with the community. The information pack should also include information on how they can use your appliances, the security alarm, etc. It should also have information on emergency telephone numbers for you or your agent, doctor, chemist, hospital and repair services.

2.      Set Ground Rules

When you advertise your property you need to include information on things like the maximum number of people that can occupy your property and if you allow pets and smoking.

3.      Charge Proper Rental Prices

An important decision is how much you’re going to charge in rental prices. If you’re managing the property booking and advertising yourself you should look at what people are charging for properties similar to yours. If you’re working with an agent then your agent should be able to give you a good rental price that allows you to still make a profit. Remember that this rental income isn’t 100% profit. You still have to take out the costs of the agent’s fee, the advertising costs, maintenance costs, cleaning and laundry costs, Spanish rental tax, insurance, and any other expenses.

4.      Prepare Your Property To Remove Stress

It’s important to make sure your property is in top condition so that it can stand up to the wear and tear of being rented all through the summer. Ensure that your appliances and plumbing are working perfectly. It’s a good idea to have your appliances serviced before renting your property. Have the air conditioner and filters, power supply, kitchen appliances, gas supply and gas bottles, automatic gates, garage doors, pool equipment, fuse boxes and TV channels all checked in advance. Don’t forget about health and safety regulations. Make sure your smoke detectors and fire alarms are working properly. Call in a plumber to check your toilets, baths, showers, and the kitchen sink and boiler are all working well and the water pressure is right. If your property has a pool then check the pump and other equipment to make sure it works great.

5.      Don’t Be Late With Utility Bill Payments

Ensure that you pay all your utilities such as water, gas, electricity and community fees are paid on time. It’s a good idea to pay them by standing order and check that the bank is paying the bills on time. You’d be surprised how many properties lose power and water because the bill wasn’t paid on time.

6.      Remove the Risk of Renting

A great way to take away the risks of renting is to take out a property insurance that covers holiday rentals. These policies are well worth the money and give you important peace of mind. Some of the more common problems and claims with holiday rentals are bath overflows that damage lower apartments and community property damage.

Stress Free Holidays Part One

Stress Free Holiday Rentals Part One

If you’re thinking about renting out your Costa del Sol property or any other property in Spain then keep the following 12 tips in mind to make your holiday rentals stress free. You might want to bookmark this page so it’s never too far away!

1.      The Community Rules

The demand in the Costa del Sol for rental property

is amazing and the demand is

out stripping the supply.

If you’re thinking about renting out your property over the summer then you need to make sure that the community rules allow it. If your community rules don’t allow you to rent out your property then you should consider teaming up with other owners who want to rent out their property and attempting to change the rules at your next AGM. There shouldn’t be any issues if you’re renting out a villa but it’s always a good idea to take a look at the community rules first. Better to be safe than sorry.

2.      Legally Register your Property

After making sure you can legally rent your property you need to register your property with the town hall or have your lawyer take care of it for you.

3.      Holiday Rental Agreement

Put together a standard holiday rental agreement or consult your lawyer and ask them to put one together for you. If you’re planning on renting using an agent they will have their own rental agreement.

4.      Handling Rental Bookings On Your Own

If you’re planning to handle the bookings then you also need to arrange everything else including cleaning, laundry, maintenance, repairs, meet and greet, taking bookings, collecting money, advertising, dealing with problematic renters, repairing damage to your property, and everything else.

5.      You’re Going to Compete with Other Rental Properties

The holiday rental industry is a very competitive one. Put together a list of all the appealing things about your property that the agent or you can use to sell your property to holiday renters. It could be something as simple as the view. The location, the condition of the property, the kitchen, if the property is accessible, the pool and garden, etc. Take some photos of the interior and exterior as well as nearby attractions such as the beach or golf course. These are great for advertising your property.

6.      Target the Holidaymakers You Want To Rent Out Your Property

Make sure you’re clear about the people you want renting your property; advertise clearly that you want families or couples and cater to those groups with things like baby cots, a fold down sofa for the children, board games and books, and things like that.