How to start a holiday let business
Whilst owning a holiday cottage can be a financially rewarding and exciting venture, it can be incredibly daunting knowing...
As the nights draw in and the colder weather approaches, it’s important to consider the impact the change of season has on your holiday home. That’s why we’ve put together a selection of winter maintenance tips to get your holiday let winter ready.
During the winter months your property is likely to have longer periods when it is unoccupied and exposed to extreme weather. It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to winterising your holiday let. Implementing a few simplesafety measures and precautions in preparation for what the elements have in store, will ensure that you avoid unnecessary damage to your holiday let. By doing so, not only will you protect your property from potential harm that the winter weather brings but save unnecessary costs.
With over 20 years of experience in letting and managing self-catering holiday accommodation in South Devon, Coast & Country Cottages are able to offer you advice on getting your holiday home ready for winter.
Visit our Let Your Cottage page for more information
Use the quick links below to read about a particular subject, or continue reading for a complete breakdown of our top winter maintenance tips…
Keeping your holiday let warm during and in-between your winter bookings will not only help to protect your property from potential damages, such as burst pipes and damp, but it will allow your guests to have a cosy stay without feeling the chill of winter.
Untreated condensation and damp can lead to mould and damage on walls, windows and even soft furnishings. Ventilation is not only the best way of preventing the build-up of humidity in your holiday home, but it will also dramatically improve indoor air quality. Simple steps like keeping the doors between rooms open to allow airflow are an easy way to increase ventilation. There are other ways like installing bathroom extractor fans with humidity sensors, or portable dehumidifiers, that extract moisture from the air.
Keep your holiday home warm in winter by having the heating on a low and economical temperature, or using an energy efficient smart heating control system, to tackle condensation. Doing this will prevent excessive moisture building up and it will help avoid damp.
A properly insulated property retains heat and is far more cost effective and energy efficient. Insulation in the loft of your property can considerably reduce heat loss. In addition to having insulation in the walls and attic, consider adding insulation sleeving to exposed pipes and water tanks. This reduces their exposure to the elements and prevents potential damage from freezing.
Draft proofing is regarded as one of the cheapest and easiest ways to keep your property warm and save money on energy bills. A quick and effective way of preventing the cold from coming in is to use draft excluders on doors that lead to the external areas susceptible to letting in a breeze.
Applying caulk or weather strips to cracks and gaps in windows and doors can keep the cold out and the heat in, maximising indoor comfort and preventing window rot.
For more energy efficiency tips and simple ways to save money on your bills, read our sustainable holiday let advice blog.
Cold and stormy weather is more likely to cause damage to holiday homes over the winter months, so it’s important to think about properly protecting your home.
Winter sometimes sees flooding in many areas across South Devon, which can cause significant damage to a property. Start your preparation by considering your home’s location and potential vulnerability to floods. Properties in the bottom of a valley, near the water or in a flood zone will naturally be more susceptible and having a flood plan in place can save you a lot of energy and costs. If you are in a potential flood zone, sign up to flood warning systems to receive early notification by phone, email or text.
Cold snaps and freezing weather can cause paths and walkways to be hazardous. Consider keeping salt or grit stored away ready for snow and frost.
Check for broken roof tiles or missing slates which could lead to a water leak. Loose tiles could fall off in high winds and damage your property, or even cause injury to a guest. It’s also worth periodically checking roof flashings and cowls, as well as joints around chimneys and vents.
Make sure windows, skylights and doors are properly secure and weather tight to prevent any water leaks.
Securely store outdoor furniture and loose garden items in a garage or shed, if you have one. Leave nothing outdoors that can be blown about by strong winds or be stolen. Don’t forget to check that outbuildings, sheds and garages are well-maintained, secure and weather tight, and that gates and fencing can withstand the winter conditions.
If your home is surrounded by trees, make sure there are no hanging branches that may present a hazard surrounding the property. Hedges and shrubs also need a prune to remove dead or damaged foliage and ensure that they are clear of buildings and cables.
Forewarned is forearmed when it comes to bad weather. Having a weather alert system on your smartphone will allow you to know in advance of any potential incoming storms and adverse weather conditions, allowing you to take necessary precautions.
Water damage is a major concern throughout the year, and particularly during winter. A small amount of water can cause considerable damage in a property, but there are a few simple measures you can put in place to prevent that from happening.
As the temperature drops in winter, there is an increased risk of frozen pipes which can cause them to rupture and burst. Fortunately, there are precautions you can take to prevent potential issues and inconveniences from occurring. Leaving the heating on low in your property and wrapping exposed pipes with sleeving is a great way to avoid problems happening.
Check gutters, eaves and soffits for damage and leaks. Clear drains, gutters and downpipes of leaves and any debris so rainwater can flow into the drains without causing flooding or damp. If drains and guttering become blocked, it can create a whole host of problems including ice dams, where water from melted snow refreezes in the gutters and seeps in under the roof, soaking interior walls.
If your holiday let is unoccupied for long periods of time, reduce the risk of water damage by switching off the stop cocks, emptying pipes, draining the heating and ensuring any residual water is removed.
Having external lights on your cottage will improve safety for both yourself and your guests. During winter, guests may be arriving at the property in the dark, so adding outside lights to your holiday home will help to minimise any accidents and deter any potential burglars.
An active security system acts as a warning for break-ins and can also be a deterrent to potential burglars.
Having neighbours that know that your property is a holiday let and managed by an agency like Coast & Country Cottages can be a tremendous benefit, helping to keep your holiday let safe. A neighbour who knows that your property is a holiday home can help to inform emergency services, or our local letting team, of any potential concerns.
You can never completely rule out the chance of damage, but you can take steps to reduce the likelihood of it happening. Here is a checklist of additional winter maintenance checks that you can carry out on your holiday let accommodation.
In preparation for the colder months and when the fireplace is likely to be used in earnest, make sure you’ve had your chimney checked and cleaned. This will help to eliminate any soot build-up and clear obstructions that can spark chimney fires.
No one wants to be stuck without heating in the middle of winter. If your heating system uses oil, make sure there is enough fuel for the winter period. It is also worthwhile having your boiler serviced prior to the colder months, to avoid any potential issues.
Carry out regular maintenance checks to quickly identify potential issues that could result in winter damage to your holiday home.
Ensure that your heating is left on, or on a timer for your guests’ arrival. There is nothing better after a long journey than arriving to a warm house. Make sure that heating instructions are clear and accessible in the property.
If guests are staying in your holiday property during stormy weather, ensure they know who to call should there be any damage. Take comfort in knowing that when letting with Coast & Country Cottages, our expert local team are on hand 24/7, not only to deal with guest’s queries but in the event of an emergency too.
If your property has a log fire, consider leaving a starter pack of logs and firelighters. Things like tea bags and coffee could also go a long way, especially if guests are arriving after dark. For more ideas of what to include in a welcome pack, read our blog on ‘creating the perfect holiday home guest information pack‘.
Guests staying over the winter months are more likely to use facilities such as Wifi, TVs and DVD players. If you have these amenities, make sure they are working, and leave clear guides on how to use everything. It’s also worth considering extra items such as DVDs and board games, to entertain guests when the weather isn’t its best.
When choosing to let your holiday home with Coast & Country Cottages, we will offer you a variety of service options depending on how hands on you want to be with running your holiday home. If you plan to do the day-to-day running of your property yourself, the locally-based team can be on hand to offer advice on your winter property maintenance. If you opt for our full agency managed service option, the Coast & Country Cottages team will take responsibility for some elements of getting your property ready for winter, removing any worries you may have. To find out more about the service options we offer, visit our blog ‘choosing a holiday home letting agency‘.
Throughout winter, the Coast & Country Cottages team can assist with organising winter checks for agency managed properties, dependent on their location. Our team also spot check properties prior to guest bookings, to make sure everything is in working order and that the heating is on.
Prior to winter, owners need to be aware of what checks their holiday let insurance requires for their property. Our team can oversee the measures required and do the checks asked for by the insurance company.
We offer a 24-7 guest emergency helpline and notify the property owner as soon as possible of important issues. Our local Managed Services team will be able to assist with repairs and minor works, and we know a great network of trusted local contractors, so can organise work on your behalf. We also take responsibility for paying invoices on behalf of our owners and break down the costs on our monthly owner statements, so everything is easy to keep track of.
If you’re thinking of having improvements or work done to your property over the winter period, our local team can advise you of the best companies and contractors to use, and even help to organise work on your behalf.
This winter, spend less time worrying about how to winterise your holiday let and spend more time enjoying the season with family and friends. With years of experience and over 500 properties across Devon, our local Coast & Country Cottages team work tirelessly to support holiday home owners, making sure that holiday letting is as stress-free as possible.
Whether you are considering investing in a holiday let in Devon and want to know the right level of holiday home management service to suit your requirements, or if you need more information on how to start a successful holiday let business, call our locally based team and they’ll be able to help. Alternatively, download our free Owners Guide for an insight into our services and how we can help you.
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