Your Essential Holiday Let Maintenance Guide 

This holiday let maintenance guide details important tasks to complete after a busy season to enhance your guests’ experience, encourage positive reviews and boost repeat bookings. Additionally, these regular maintenance checks can increase the longevity of items at your holiday let and save you money in the long run. 

Our guide to essential holiday let maintenance

Looking to learn about a specific aspect of holiday let maintenance? Use our quick links below to jump to a particular section, or read on for a full guide on how to keep your holiday accommodation well looked after.

• Interior holiday let maintenance tips
• Exterior property maintenance checks
• Let your cottage with Coast & Country Cottages

Interior holiday let maintenance tips

Gitcombe Retreat, Cornworthy

We’ve created this handy holiday let maintenance checklist detailing the many areas you should be aware of, and specific cleaning procedures to consider:

Deep spring cleans 

A post-busy season deep spring clean rejuvenates the property, creating a positive first impression for incoming guests. This deep clean eradicates germs and allergens, enhancing guest comfort and satisfaction, while also enabling early detection of maintenance issues for prompt resolution. 

Mattresses and pillows 

Villa 8, Estura, Salcombe

Maintain a clean and hygienic sleeping environment for guests by laundering any mattress and pillow protectors in your holiday let. Sweat, dust, allergens and stains accumulate over time, so it’s important to get these cleaned professionally to ensure good hygiene and overall comfort. 

At Coast & Country Cottages, we have our very own laundry service, Travel Lite, so the owners that let with us can rely on a professional laundry service at their fingertips to do this for them. Complete the form at the bottom of this page to request contact from our team and learn about the holiday let services we can offer you. 

Don’t forget, it’s important to remove mattress stains too! From lightly spot cleaning with warm soapy water to gently steam cleaning, be sure to follow the cleaning instructions for your mattress type. It’s also a good idea to air out the mattresses in your property to get rid of odours, as well as flipping them to prolong their shape and comfort. If you need assistance with cleaning your mattress, why not try Floorever Young.

Ovens and appliances 

Post-busy-season, oven cleaning is vital. A clean oven upholds kitchen hygiene, improving food taste and preventing health risks. It boosts efficiency, ensuring consistent cooking and energy savings. Additionally, a clean oven extends its lifespan, reducing maintenance costs. For guests, a sparkling oven signifies a well-maintained property, enhancing satisfaction and encouraging return visits. 

At Coast & Country Cottages, we highly recommend enlisting the help of Oven Wizards based in South Devon.  

Carpets and sofas

Fairhaven, Dartmouth

Whether your property is near the beach or in rural countryside, your holiday let can be exposed to sand, sea salt and mud. 

If you have a dog-friendly property, pet hair and odours can also accumulate, so it’s important to remove these particles with a deep clean at the end of a busy season. Having these items professionally cleaned as part of your regular holiday let maintenance will ensure you get the very most out of your carpet and sofa.

Restock kitchen supplies

7 Dart Marina, Dartmouth

It’s important to periodically assess crockery and utensils for the convenience of your guests.  

Restocking kitchen and dining supplies helps maintain the property’s standard of service and guest satisfaction. When guests find all the necessary kitchen supplies readily available, it contributes to a seamless and enjoyable stay. 

Furthermore, replenishing kitchen supplies allows you to take inventory, identify any items that need repair or replacement, and plan for the next season accordingly. It’s a proactive approach to ensuring that the kitchen is equipped to meet the needs of future guests. 

View our holiday let inventory checklist for more information. 

Decorate high footfall areas

Moving luggage going in and out of your property can scrape walls, so a fresh coat of paint can make all the difference. Consider redecorating these areas for a polished look.  

Get in contact with our team today to find out our recommended local decorator for the job you require.

Mould and damp

Combat mould and damp by investing in proper ventilation and regular maintenance. We also recommend painting areas after you’ve removed mould, as well as resealing areas which can bring damp into your property, particularly in bathrooms. 

Exterior holiday let maintenance checks

High Banks, Dartmouth

Jet wash decking, fences and patios

Following a bustling holiday season, it’s important to prioritise the upkeep of outdoor areas by jet washing patios, decking and fences, which can gather debris and stains over time. These are areas we often get feedback on.  

We highly recommend investing in a professional jet wash service to revitalise outdoor spaces and extend their lifespan.

Trim overgrown hedges and branches 

Not only does maintaining hedges enhance the overall appearance of your property, but it’s actually an important health and safety consideration. Remove branches and hedges that are overhanging, obstructing views or merging into pathways. 

Remove weeds 

Weeds can take over gardens and patios, so be sure to take time to remove them from the root to prevent regrowth. A weed free garden will make a good positive impression on your guests.

Clean gutters 

Cleaning gutters is essential to stop water damage and protect your holiday home. Removing debris from gutters can prevent costly repairs to your roof and interior, reducing leaks, mould and damp.

By following this guide and utilising the recommended local contractors and services listed, you’ll keep your property in optimal condition, ensuring a pleasant and comfortable living experience for guests.

Let your cottage with Coast & Country Cottages 

At Coast & Country Cottages, we understand that no owner and property are the same, that’s why we offer bespoke holiday home management services to meet your individual letting requirements. With offices based in Salcombe and Dartmouth, our team are located near the properties that we let, offering owners peace of mind.   

Complete the form below to request contact from our team, including a copy of our free Owner Guide.