Facts Vacation Rental Owners Should Know About Their Property
Vacation rental owners are excited about the prospect of adding extra income through their rental property, naturally. However, it is important that you do not let that excitement make you forget some important facts about the property for a range of reasons. You need to make sure you are doing things legally, naturally, and you need to make sure that your customers are happy. The following are some of the most important facts you will need to know and remember regarding your property
Make Sure Everything Is Legal
There are many other vacation rentals on the Outer Banks, but you always want to make sure that you take the time to check on the local ordinances so you understand the laws and regulations when it comes to renting out your property for the short-term. In most cases, short-term means for less than 30 days.
You Need the Right Insurance
When you have a rental property, you cannot simply assume that your typical homeowner’s insurance policy will cover damage caused by a guest, or that it will cover the liability for the guests while they are staying on the property. Always check with your insurance company about their policies, and make sure they are aware that you are using the property as a rental. See what options they have available, and choose the best coverage you can afford, just to make sure your property and your business are covered.
You Need a Cleaning and Maintenance Service
Unless you are in the area and you are willing to go and clean the home from top to bottom after each guest, you need to have a quality cleaning service. If you do not want to take care of the maintenance of the property, including any landscaping, you also need to have maintenance services.
You need to have them on a schedule, so they will go to the property and clean it after each of the guests leave. You can have a maintenance company that you can call to take care of any issues that arise, and a landscaping company that takes care of the property every week or two. You want your guests to arrive at a clean home that looks great inside and out with no maintenance issues. Failure to do this will mean bad reviews and no return guests.
Amenities Are Essential
You need to make sure you are providing at least the basic types of amenities that visitors would expect to find in a hotel room. In fact, you want them to have more than they would have in a hotel room, as this will encourage better reviews and repeat visits. This includes things such as linens, towels, kitchen and cooking utensils and cleaning supplies in case there is a spill they need to take care of, cable television, wireless Internet, plenty of toilet paper, shampoo and soap.
Take some time to think about the things that you would expect to find at a property and the things that you would want to have. It might cost you a little more, but you can be sure your guests expect these amenities. If you do not have them, it can cost you.
Someone Needs to Be Ready to Take Calls from the Guests
Most of the time, you will find that the guests come, have a great time, and leave with no problems at all. Still, you or someone who acts as your representative, such as a property manager, need to be available just in case there is an issue or a question that needs to be answered. Having someone available to take care of these questions within an hour or so at most is essential. If they have to wait a day or more for your answers, they are not going to be happy with their experience.
Do Not Have a No-Refund Policy
While you do not want to provide refunds to guests for every little complaint they have, you need to have a system in place to provide those guests with a refund if there is a major issue. If there is a massive water leak in the house, or if they are not able to access the house for a day or more, they deserve at least a partial refund, and perhaps more.
This is a customer service business, and you need to make sure you are doing your best to keep those customers happy. If there is a problem at the house that prevents them from using and enjoying it, you can be sure they will leave a bad review if you do not provide them with a refund.
Do Not Tack on Unexpected Fees
Always make sure your fees are upfront and easy for the customers to understand. Placing hidden or add-on fees for certain things
These are some of the most important facts you need to learn about what the guests want, what the laws allow, and what the insurance company will cover. Of course, the longer you own the vacation rental and the more you learn about the business, you will find other elements that you need to remember and take care of on the property to make sure the guests have a great experience, leave a great review, and that they come back again.