Owners Menu
Property Management & Cleaning Services
The holiday home’s property management, cleaning, maintenance of the holiday cottage and dealing with visitors, prior to, during and post departure, are vital elements in offering a self catering holiday let. You are advised to make sure you have everything arranged in advance, for this is a key aspect in successfully letting your holiday home in North Devon.
Agent vs. Property Manager responsibilities
Holiday Home Owner act as the Agent and not as the Property Manager, so it goes without saying that choosing your Holiday Cottage Management Services is a very important decision when launching your Holiday Home as a commercial Holiday Let. Should you require it; Choice Cottages would be pleased to assist in giving you a selection of recommended Property Managers, Cleaners and Maintenance Contractors in North Devon or the greater South West.
Cleaning and Supplies
Every visitor rightly expects a spotless introduction to your Holiday Cottage. For this reason, the importance of clean holiday homes and regular maintenance, cannot be overemphasized. Each property should be thoroughly cleaned and all linen changed between every booking. It is always a nice touch, (though not a requirement), that essential supplies such as toilet rolls, soap and kitchen rolls are available when guests arrive. Similarly, guests will appreciate a kitchen store cupboard that contains basics like salt & pepper. Some Owners also go the extra mile and arrange an Arrival Pack with their Property Managers; which may contain some fresh foods like fruit, local produce, bread, tea, coffee and milk. You could also add various little touches like fresh flowers or a bottle of local wine – anything to make your Visitors feel welcome! If the rental is for more than a week, it is a good idea to insist that the property is cleaned and the linen changed every week. (Your Property Manager should liaise with the Visitor to arrange a mutually convenient time). Property Managers serve as the key relationship between the Visitor and the Owner during their stay and so it is highly recommended that you are upfront and clear with them as to your expectations and any associated charges.
Deep Cleaning
We recommend that the property is deep cleaned at least twice a year. This may include, but is not limited to carpet cleaning, paint touchups, eaves, gutters, chimneys, skirting boards, bathroom and kitchen outlet traps, nooks and crannies and various other intense tasks.
Contacts and Maintenance
Choice Cottages will supply Visitors with the telephone number and email address of the Property Manager 4 days prior to their Arrival. The Property Manager is the Visitors key contact if there is a problem or an emergency during their stay. The Property Manager should have an up-to-date list with an electrician, plumber and/or a general repair man, who is familiar with the property, and who will be able to come at short notice to make any urgent repairs that are required during the Visitor’s Stay. Many Owners arrange a ‘float’ with their Property Managers to cover such eventualities and also for the day-to-day replacement of non-durable items like lightbulbs or crockery.
Complaints & Queries
As the Agent, Choice Cottages will only act as facilitator between the Visitor and the Property Manager, who acts on behalf of you, the Owner. It is important that you have clear guidelines with your Property Manager as to how they deal with any complaint and when to escalate the problem to you. Unless the complaint specifically relates to the booking process or the manner in which Choice Cottages marketed or charged for the property, we will in most instances, refer the issue back to the Property Manager for resolution. In some rare instances, it may be that either the whole or part of the Booking will need to be refunded to the Visitor. This will be deducted from any Booking Income you have received on that specific Booking. Should the Visitor require moving to another Property due to unforeseen circumstances, Choice Cottages will work with you to enable a smooth transition for the Visitor. (Note: If the reason for moving the Visitor is due to an unresolvable situation at your property, such as the failure of a boiler for example, the money you would have received for the booking will be used to accommodate the Visitor at an alternative Holiday Cottage. If the fault occurs partway through the Visitor’s stay, the Booking total will be apportioned to each Property on a pro-rata basis).
Damage
Should any damage to your Holiday Cottage occur during a Visitors stay, your Property Manager will need to provide written and photographic evidence, along with any relevant invoices, before we act on your behalf to recoup all or part of the Damage Deposit of £100 from the Visitor. Choice Cottages will only deduct a Damage Deposit to a maximum of £25 for ‘extra /or deep’ cleaning and only where there is clear evidence provided that the Visitor did not comply with the Departure Requirements sent to them in their Arrival Pack.