Renting out your cottage during the winter is a great way to prevent it from collecting dust and to have another source of income. The best part is that it’s not as difficult as you might assume. All it requires is a sufficient amount of time and effort being put into it! If it’s your first time renting out your property, you might be a little lost and unsure of what steps to take first. Here are some pointers to help you rent out your cottage for the very first time!
Get in Touch With Your Insurance Company
Before your plans come to fruition, it is in your best interest to save yourself from future headaches by reaching out to your insurance company. Typical insurance policies don’t completely cover your property when it’s being rented out, however it differs from company-to-company. Reach out to your insurance company, ask them questions, and understand the potential risks that come with using your insured property for commercial use.
Ensure Your Cottage is Prepared for the Season
If you seldom examine the amenities and equipment of your cottage, now’s the time to do so! When you’re renting out your cottage, especially during the winter, you want to ensure that your guests are comfortable and safe during their stay. Make sure that you check up on your heating, pipes, and walkways to ensure that your property is fully winterized and secure.
Begin the Planning Process
Now that you’ve gotten in touch with your insurance provider and your cottage is fully prepared for the winter, it’s time for you to figure out the logistics. Where are you going to be listing your property? How much are you going to charge per night? How successful are the other listings in the area? How will your listing stand out from the others? These are just a few things to consider during the planning process of renting out your property.
Clean and Prepare
The cleanliness of your cottage, especially during these times, is extremely important in regards to the success of your listing. Ensuring that your cottage is completely clean and presentable should be a priority. There are a few options to maintaining a clean cottage, such as: you clean it yourself, one of your family members cleans it, or you hire a professional. Another thing to keep in mind is that all personal items and valuables should be removed before renting your cottage out.
Leave a Handbook
When you’re renting out your cottage, you want to provide your guests with a pleasant (and even memorable) experience. Leaving a guidebook for your guests will go a long way; it’s a foolproof way to ensure that your guests feel at home. Some common things you could include in your guidebook are: rules, included amenities, Wi-Fi information, parking information, and other necessary instructions. The guide manual you create should include all of the necessary information your guests will need for their stay while being as concise as possible.
Add Some Final Touches
At this point, all you really need to do is put all of the pieces together! Exciting, right? Before you publish your listing, make sure that you take and attach some winter photos of your property to appeal to potential renters. Once you’ve added all of the finishing touches, you’re ready to put your lovely cottage on the market!
Renting out property is becoming more and more popular and is something definitely worth getting into. While it can seem intimidating at first, all it really takes is a bit of guidance for you to be well on your way to successfully renting out your cottage for the first time!