Tips for Owners
That's it, you've decided to take the plunge: you are going to rent your property out during the next tourist season. To do it you've chosen Webside Holidays, which offers exceptional visibility and practical and clear tools to manage your rentals. So you are definitely on the right path!
But you're probably asking yourself a lot of questions: How do I write an ad that will sell? How do I correspond with potential renters? How do I make sure that the people interested in my rental are serious?
The journey an owner of a seasonal rental goes through can resemble an obstacle course from afar: from writing your ad to the final property condition report, including of course the first contact with your future vacationers and signing the rental contact. It's normal to feel a bit lost and especially to experience a touch of apprehension before you get off the starting block!
But there's no need to panic! Webside Holidays is at your side in guiding you through all the steps of this process. We offer you several tips below that will help you make sense of it and lead you confidently toward your objective: a mountain of thank you letters from renters who are relaxed and delighted with their stay at your place...
1. You can't say enough about it
If you could only follow one tip this would be it: give as much information as possible! Don't hesitate in giving details about the accommodations you're renting, the fixtures, the environment, practical considerations regarding the rental (rates, down payments, property condition reports, ...). What may seem like a waste of time at first glance will help you save a lot of it in the end: instead of constantly answering questions from travelers who want to know more, you will immediately target the people who are really interested in the vacation rental you are offering.
What's more, your potential renters will also know what to expect and they probably won't be disappointed once they arrive.
Most of the other tips stem from this fundamental principle. They will explain how to apply it during each of the different steps of renting out your property.
2. Provide details in your ad
An “empty” ad, which only gives the geographic location, size, and capacity of the rental can only do you a disservice, for two reasons: on the one hand, future vacationers won't find it very attractive, and on the other you will constantly have to answer the same questions. Our advice: say as much as possible when writing your ad!
Webside Holidays offers you a very complete form, which you can use to provide as many details as possible about your vacation rental: the type of accommodations, the rates according to season, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, the appliances provided, the activities available in the surrounding area, etc.
To be sure that your ad is as complete as possible, we advise you to think in advance about all the information that should be provided. If you think of something that isn't included in the form, don't hesitate to include it as free text in the “additional descriptive information” space.
3. Increase the number of photos
When you fill out your vacation rental ad on Webside Holidays, you will notice that it must include at least two pictures to be posted.
We recommend, however, that you upload even more than that: showing different rooms of the rental, the facades, the surroundings... A picture always speaks louder than words. You can add up to 30 photos on Webside Holidays. Take advantage of it!
They will make your ad more vivid and allow renters to imagine your property better. This way they will be reassured that it really matches what they're looking for and you will only be contacted by people who are truly interested in your ad.
4. Offer fair rates
The price of the vacation rental should reflect its size, location, and level of prestige.
If you set the price too high, renters will find a better value for their money elsewhere and your property risks remaining empty for the better part of the year!
If, on the contrary, you “mark down” your rental, some travelers will fear they're dealing with a poor quality rental, and will also avoid your offer.
So the best choice is a sort of happy medium. But how do you get an idea of what the rental value of your property is? To do this, we recommend you use the search form for vacation rentals on Webside Holidays and check out ads for accommodations similar to yours.
You can choose to offer attractive rates during certain times of the year. We advise you in this case to explain the reasons for it (last minute deal, non-tourist season), which will prevent renters from doubting the quality of your property.
5. Reread your ad
You've finished writing your ad and are satisfied with it? You are now ready to post it!
But take the time to reread the information you've provided thoroughly before posting it online: no one is immune from omissions and mistakes. Be particularly careful when checking the rates, which is the number one criteria renters use to make their decisions .
6. Update your ad
Someone has just confirmed their reservation? The air-conditioning system has breathed its last breath? An youth center has just opened near your property?
Remember to enter any changes that might interest your future renters as quickly as possible. To do this you have a practical and clear rental management interface including an availability calendar for your property.
You can also share it with the renters you are in contact with via Webside Holidays' free internal messaging system.
7. Provide fast and clear answers
After viewing your ad, renters will contact you via Webside Holidays' internal messaging system in order to obtain additional information about your rental offer and start the reservation process.
Webside Holidays sends you an e-mail alert each time you receive a new message. We recommend you check you inbox regularly to answer enquiries from future vacationers as quickly as possible. This way you'll have more of a chance of renting your property than a less responsive owner.
8. Call the renter before his departure
After several online conversations via Webside Holidays' internal messaging system, it is time to contact your renter by telephone. You can ask him, for example, when he can send you the signed rental contract or his arrival time at the vacation rental.
Telephone contact is more “vivid” than simple e-mail conversations. It will help reassure the renter and at the same time yourself. You will have a fast and practical means to handle last minute issues or answer renters' questions once they've arrived.
9. Make sure you've taken care of all the practical arrangements
Have you told the renter how he can get the keys when he arrives? Who does he have to return them to when he leaves? Who can he contact if there's a problem? Will the security deposit be cashed?
Make sure you've communicated all information that might be useful to your renter before his departure. This way you'll avoid creating gray areas, which can be the source of misunderstandings. We recommend you draw up a list of all the points you need to bring up, which will become more complete as you gain experience as an owner of a seasonal rental, and to check it a couple of days before the arrival of each renter.
10. Financial considerations: contract and down payments
hould you ask for the entire rental amount to be paid at the time of booking?
No payment is due as long as the rental contract hasn't been approved and signed by the two parties. It must specify the identities and addresses of the two parties, a description of the property, payment terms, departure and arrival times, and the amount of the security deposit.
When the renter returns this contract to you, the usual practice is for him to pay a deposit that's typically 25% of the rental price.
The balance must be paid during the walk-through at the latest. However, when the time interval between booking the vacation rental and the arrival of the renter is very short, you can ask for the entire rent and thus make sure the renter won't cancel at the last moment.
Today e-mails and faxes often replace traditional correspondence via letter. They have the advantage of being practical and above all much faster, which is especially useful for last minute bookings.
11. One last tip: what if it were you ?
In order for the rental of your property to proceed in the best possible conditions, ask yourself each minute what YOU would expect from a vacation rental and try to offer your renters the quality service that you want.
What do all of us hope for? Accommodations that are in good condition, a healthy atmosphere, clean sheets, working appliances, a quick response to our questions and problems, no bad surprises when we arrive,...
You and your renters surely share the same vision of a successful vacation!
Please note: Webside Holidays works hard to protect renters
The anti-spam filter
Webside Holidays has implemented effective security measures to fight spam, or unsolicited mass e-mails.
We never give out your e-mail address to renters. They only communicate with you through Webside Holidays' internal messaging system and possibly by phone and/or fax if you so wish. This way, commercial companies and “spammers” don't have access to your e-mail address.
In additions, renters must copy a security code before sending their message through Webside Holidays' internal messaging system. This way we make sure that it really comes from a person and not from an automated spamming program.
The “anonymity” the rental
When you create your vacation rental ad, you indicate the address of your property: country, town, number and street name.
However, Webside Holidays never reveals the street address to the people who view your ad. It is not indicated in unencrypted form and the interactive map only shows them the street.
It is you who chooses at which point you communicate this information to the renter. Generally it is after several e-mail conversations that assure you that the renter is indeed serious.
Collecting renters' e-mail addresses
In order to write to you, renters must provide their e-mail addresses which are then collected by Webside Holidays. This of course allows you to reply to them but also to keep track of people who have contacted you. This simple measure often dissuades tactless people from sending you inappropriate messages.
The renters' commitment
In the Code of Conduct, enters pledge to respect all of the basic rules during their use of the Webside Holiday platform. They include following the payment terms agreed upon with the owner to the letter and to take care of your rental as if it were your own home.
To wrap up...
Now it's your turn! You are without a doubt looking forward to creating your own vacation rental ad. We hope our tips will be useful to you and that they'll help you accommodate your renters with your mind at ease. Of course, we are available to answer any additional questions you may have. Don't hesitate to consult the FAQ, mail us, or contact us on the customer service homepage.
Finally, let's remember that the vast majority of rental transactions proceed without a hitch, thanks to the mutual dedication of owners and renters to the ideas of commitment, respect, and the rights and responsibilities of each. The trust-based relationship that is established this way even develops into real friendships in many cases.
The Customer Service Department
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