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Do I Need A Holiday Home Management Company?

Thu, 28 Dec 2023 06:57:57 GMT

Holiday Home Management: Choosing the right service for your property.

At the start of any holiday letting journey, the question of holiday home management is first task that you need to tackle in order to ensure the success of your business.

Looking after and running a holiday cottage can be a complex and time-consuming process. From managing bookings, to cleaning, linen hire or laundry, ongoing maintenance, refuse collections, window cleans, welcome hampers, guest requests and changeovers, all of which are integral to the successful running your holiday let business.

Whether you choose to be involved on a day-to-day basis and take care of the finer details yourself, or you live away from your property and would rather relax and let us do the work for you, Falmouth Cleaning & Property Management are here to help.

We offer two holiday let management options; owner managed and full agency managed services. Whatever you decide, we have a tailored holiday home management solution to suit both your needs and that of your property.

Things to consider when choosing a holiday home management service.

Falmouth Cleaning & Property Management offer different levels of holiday home management to property owners. The first thing to do before choosing the best one for you, is to understand exactly what’s involved in letting your holiday home. Whilst initially it can appear to be fairly simple, there are a few factors you need to consider in order to have a successful holiday let.

Whichever service option you choose, we will take care of all letting agent communication, administration and guest correspondence.

Here are just some of the main operational factors to keep in mind that will need to be handled by either yourself or your holiday home management company:

Housekeeping, including cleaning and laundry or linen hire
Welcome Hampers
Property checking and security
Property maintenance
24-hour guest support
Safety checks and legislative documents, including annual fire risk and gas assessments
Key collection and property presentation
Refuse or waste collection
Window Cleaning
Gardening
Hot Tub Cleaning
Contractor Management

Bespoke and tailored holiday home management.

If neither of these service options quite meet your needs, rest assured we will work together to create a bespoke level of service that offers you true value for money and peace of mind. We will tailor a package to reflect your requirements. Our dedicated New Properties team would be happy to discuss the options with you, as well as the costs for the different service options.

The most important thing to remember is that whichever option you choose, you are never on your own. Our team will always be on hand to provide the care and support required to ensure your holiday let runs smoothly.

Should We Be Dog-Friendly Or Not?

Thu, 14 May 2020 18:30:35 GMT

Dog-Friendly Holiday Homes, is it a lot of hard work?

So you're letting your holiday cottage, and you are met with the question - "Do I allow dogs?". Let us answer that question with a statistic from QualityTourism.com that "72% of dog owners would take more holidays in the UK if there was a better attitude to dogs". Interesting, isn't it! Furthermore, "77% of dog owners earn over £40k per year" meaning they are more likely to be able to take multiple holidays each year.

Now first things first, remember that most dogs wont be the size of our boy pictured above! Secondly, in our experience most well behaved dogs are not difficult to clean up after. In fact, in some cases they are easier than the aftermath of having young children staying! But you do need to set ground rules, let your guests know what is expected of them if they want to bring their dog with them on holiday.

Do's & Don'ts - remember that your guests are ultimately looking for a relaxing break. Rules are fine as they set parameters, but make sure they are fair.

Do remind guests that whilst dogs are welcome downstairs in the living areas of the property, they are not under any circumstances allowed upstairs in the bedrooms. This is key as the last thing you want is someone's pooch sleeping on your crisp clean bed linen.
Don't allow dogs on sofa's
Do provide guests with suggestions on where they can take their dogs for walks and days out. Providing guests with places to visit and dog friendly places to eat will ultimately make their stay more enjoyable, less stressful and potentially encourage them to rebook if they have a fun stay.
Don't allow dogs to be left on their own in the holiday cottage. These dogs are being brought with their owners, away from their familiar surroundings. It's simply not fair to then leave them alone in the property, even if "its just for an hour or two over dinner". In addition, this is the time when a dog would be most likely to create a mess when it's distressed at being left on its own in a strange surrounding.
Do consider providing some old throws/towels from a charity shop specifically for your doggie guests. Your owners will appreciate the gesture, the dog will be more comfortable and nothing of value is likely to be used in substitute.
Don't forget, the dogs are guests too! So why not provide a Doggie Hamper for your canine guests? We not only cater for humans, but we also look after their furry friends too. Nothing else shows that you are willing to go the extra mile for guest, by looking after "man's best friend" as well as their owner.
Do ensure that you make it clear that its the owners responsibility to do a sweep of the garden to pick up any "landmines".

Cleaning up after your furry guests - There is no getting away from the fact that if your run a dog-friendly property, the cleans do need to be stepped up. But this shouldn't cause you any undue stress, as very quickly the property is brought back to its initial cleanliness with a little extra elbow grease.

Most Holiday Agents will recommend that you charge a little extra per dog to cover for the clean. For properties that we clean we charge a small additional fee when a dog has stayed, as it will take slightly longer to prepare the house for your next guests. We may be a little biased, but in our opinion every holiday home should allow dogs providing they have the space for them both inside and out.

Coronavirus: Deep Cleaning Tips for Holiday Rentals

Sun, 03 May 2020 06:55:11 GMT

How to ensure your property is as clean and safe as can be.

COVID-19 is still a relatively unknown virus and how the virus lives on surfaces is yet to be fully understood. It’s possible for someone to contract COVID-19 by touching a contaminated surface – like a door handle or light switch, and the virus may live on some surfaces for several hours or even days.

It’s likely that your cleaner(s) will be the first ones to enter your property after the last guest’s depart, so it’s essential to protect them with the right equipment and procedures so they stay healthy.

Share information on how they can protect themselves and keep them updated on the latest Government safety advice, so they know you are looking out for their wellbeing.

Here are some recommendations for your cleaning crew:

Cleaners should not work at all if they have symptoms of COVID-19.
Cleaners should wear masks as it’s possible that they are contagious but not experiencing symptoms.
They should wear safety glasses, shoe covers, gloves and avoid touching any uncleaned surfaces then touching their face.
They should wash their hands immediately on arrival (following the correct procedure for handwashing) and immediately after gloves are removed. If that’s not possible, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
Make sure your cleaners know how to safely remove any cleaning gear, dispose of it, or sanitise accordingly after use.

Corona Cleaning Tips

While every holiday rental is cleaned thoroughly between guests, many of the “high-touch” areas (such as light switches and handles) may get overlooked. The coronavirus requires taking additional steps to sanitise your property to ensure that a previous guest does not infect a future guest.

Many NHS staff and frontline healthcare workers have made the difficult decision to live away from their families while they go to work during the coronavirus outbreak. Although traditional bookings have been cancelled, some holiday lets are offering their properties to such professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you are, here are some tips for property managers and cleaning staff during and post COVID-19:

It’s recommended to keep a minimum gap of 3 days between check-outs and check-ins (where possible) during the pandemic to provide ample time to properly clean and disinfect all areas.
Don’t just sanitise – clean first then sanitise. It’s better to first clean the area with warm soapy water and then apply disinfectant (let it stand for a few minutes before wiping) to kill viruses, bacteria, and germs.
Allow fresh air to circulate the property during the entire cleaning process.
Use disposable cloths or paper towels when possible or machine-wash reusable cloths at the highest heat setting appropriate after use.
Disinfect kitchen brushes and sponges with detergent and warm water. You could also put sponges or cloths in the microwave on high for a minute or two.
When items cannot be cleaned using detergents e.g. upholstered furniture, steam clean.
To prevent contamination of upholstery, cover the furniture with washable sheets. Ideally, remove decorative scatter cushions or cover with washable covers.
Laundry – machine washed at 60°C all linens, blankets, throws and towels (even unused ones as guests may have touched them). Run the washing machine on empty once a week, either at a high temperature or with a chemical disinfectant to prevent the growth of germs.
All surfaces that guests have come into contact with must be cleaned and disinfected, including:

General :

Door handles

Surfaces

Floors

Appliances

Light/lamp switches

Remote controls

Tables

Window sills and window handles

Thermostats

Keys

Hairdryers

Stair railings

Ironing boards and irons

Bins

Plugs and cables

Telephone

Dog basket

Mirrors

Furniture & chairs

Kitchen :

Sinks

Wortktops

Cabinets & handles

Fridge and freezer

Condiments

Run all your dishes and utensils and through the dishwasher – not just the ones that the guest used as it’s likely they will have touched many of them

Bathroom :

Every surface in the bathroom should be disinfected

Sinks

Toilets – flush handles, seats and lids

Disinfect your toilet brush

Showers and bath

Toiletries – shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and soap dispensers

Bedroom :

Hangers and luggage racks

Bed frames

Laundry basket

Cleaning :

Vacuum cleaners

Cleaning supplies & equipment

Children's items :

Toys

High chairs

Cot

Other items :

Games

Books

Finally, as your cleaner leaves the property, make sure the entry process is disinfected. This might be a keypad, key safe or keys.

Covid-19 and what this means for us.

Sat, 02 May 2020 13:04:03 GMT

Covid-19

How has it impacted us?

I think we can all agree, we are more than fed up with the current situation. Covid-19 has changed the way that we communicate with our friends and loved ones. It has changed the way we work. It has changed the way that we live!

As a business whose primary service was to offer changeover cleaning solutions to the holiday let market down here in Falmouth, Penryn and surrounding areas - its fair to say that this wasn't the start to the season that we were hoping for. It has been a real challenge, but it has also been a really opportunity for us to focus on the core aspects of business and how we can come out of this stronger.

We have, through the grace of god, been able to find a way though this crisis. We have diversified, and now offer more services than ever before. We have always done the odd bit of end of tenancy cleaning and student cleans. However, the main bulk of our work has been holiday home cleans and changeovers. That said, we are now doing more office and commercial cleans that we had thought possible, especially during lockdown.

We are working with local estate agents of offer end of tenancy check out cleans for the students in Falmouth & Penryn. We are focusing on the future, and keeping ourselves going. Through these tough times, we have been in touch with a number of other cleaning companies, and we are pleased to say that they too are showing resilience to the current situation that we find ourselves in. So whilst Cornwall may indeed be quiet, particularly as we look towards the official start of "half term" (as we used to know it), we are keeping busy and surviving.

So when Cornwall reopens to tourists, we will still be here to help support your holiday lets through changeover cleans along with a whole host of other new services that we are now able to offer.

The Ultimate Holiday Home Changeover Checklist

Sat, 02 May 2020 12:38:58 GMT

The devil is in the detail!

It's no secret that a clean holiday home, means happy guests when they first walk in. And as we know, first impressions count....a lot! Below you have our holiday home checklist, to help with your own changeover clean . The key thing to remember is that with a holiday in Cornwall costing the same as a holiday abroad in a hotel, guests expect things to be perfect. And so they should, this might be their only holiday of the year!

The first thing we always do is read any new reviews in the guestbook. Have your guests mentioned anything that wasn't to their liking of could have been better?

Do a visual check of the property for any damage, stains, missing items or if the home was left excessively dirty. Take photos as evidence, you may need it at a later date if you are deducting from a security deposit. We always send these images straight to the property owners as a rule of thumb. Most lettings companies (including Airbnb) will only help you to retain the deposit if damage is reported within 24-48 hours from check out.

Next its time to get started!

Cleaning the Kitchen - This is where your guests will start off their day. The cleanliness of a kitchen is so important! You want your guests to enjoy being on holiday, so really focus on this room.

Wipe down worktops, sink, units, chairs, tables and baby high chair equipment.
Clean all the white goods (oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, toaster, coffee machine) and check they are working. Hard to clean items such as the oven and BBQ should be tackled early on during the changeover, as you may need to apply a cleaning fluid and leave it to soak while you get on with other tasks.
Sweep and mop the floor.
Organise cupboards.
Restock washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, bin bags, dishcloths and replenish hand soap.
Put out 2 clean tea towels.
Empty bins and disinfect.
Wipe place mats and coasters.
Empty the kettle of any old water.
Check cutlery, pots, pans, crockery, glassware and utensils for grime, breakages or chips.

Cleaning the Living Room - Your guests are going to spend lots of time chilling in this room after a busy day exploring. You want to make sure it is as comfortable as possible for them.

Dust and wipe over all the surfaces – furniture, blinds, picture frames, shelves, window sills, skirting boards, ornaments, lamps (don't forget their wires) and get rid of glass rings.
Vacuum furniture, including under the sofa cushions.
Remove any cobwebs.
Clean windows and any internal glass doors.
Empty the waste paper basket.
Check remotes and batteries for all electronic devices.
Clean the wood burning stove, replenish logs and build a new fire for your next guests.
Throw out any surplus or old magazines.
Floors should be one of the last jobs on your list. If you’ve got solid wood or tiled flooring, then sweeping, mopping or steaming is a relatively quick job. You can almost finish up on your way out the door!

Bathrooms - It's amazing what you can spot when you're sat on the loo, or lying in the bath. Take a moment to have a look at the surroundings from your guest's perspective.

Remove left over toiletries. (You might think its a nice touch to leave these for your guests, but it ruins the mystique of staying in a holiday home.)
Empty bin.
Wipe down units and countertop.
Clean shower, bath, sink (use grout cleaner and an old toothbrush if needed).
Remove any plughole debris.
Check silicone for mould/pink stains.
Clean mirror.
Shine taps.
Clean toilet and be sure to leave a blue or green toilet cleaner product in the bowl.
Change the bath mat.
Mop floor.
Restock liquid hand soap, toiletries and toilet paper.
Supply clean fresh towels.
Double check the plumbing for leaks or potential problems.

Bedrooms

Stripping and making the beds should be one of the first tasks, especially if you have to wash the linen while you get on with other jobs. It is a good plan to have at least three sets of sheets and towels. Preferably Egyptian cotton. This can add quite a lot of stress to the changeover process, so many of our clients opt to rent linen from us.
White linen is best as it can all be washed together and its easy to visually check that its totally clean.
Check for wear and tear or stains on linen, mattress covers, throws and pillows.
Check under the bed and in drawers for personal belongings left by guests.
Vacuum the floor and under beds.
Dust furniture, clean mirrors and windows.
Always check the bed side tables - trust us when we say, we have found all sorts in here!

Exterior - The outside of your holiday home are as important as the inside, your guest want and expect the full package!

Wipe down all outdoor furniture.
Check for dog muck if you are pet-friendly holiday home - no one wants to stand in that!
Clean the BBQ - If you're providing one which the holiday home, guests expect this to be clean and ready to use.
Make sure paths are clean and not slippy.
If you have a hot tub check the water, chemicals and that it’s working properly. Don’t forget to inspect the cover for damage. Follow the relevant health and safety checks (you can find out more with your supplier). However, it’s a good idea to outsource maintenance to qualified professionals.
Has the grass been cut? This is instant and really easy gardening that can make a property look cared for or neglected. We offer grass cutting and gardening services to all of our properties.

Utility Room - Its always worth checking in here as your previous guests may have left some clothes or placed their old towels in the washing machine.

Is the washing machine and dryer empty?
Clean out the dryer fluff trap - this is a fire hazard!
If your dryer is a condensing unit, check the water draw is empty.
Wipe around all the seals.
Check there are enough pegs for guest to hang out their clothes.
Check the clothes airer and ironing board work.
Check the iron is working and empty of any water.
Restock washing machine detergent.

Is everything working? Check the following -

Heating/hot water
Wi-Fi - Trust us, this is one of the worst things for guests not to have!
Light bulbs - Keep spare ones
TV remote control
DVD remote control
AC (if you have it)
Safe Open and usable

Other areas

Check the guest information folder is intact, correct and up to date.
Leave the welcome pack if the guests are due to arrive soon. It’s a good idea to make up welcome packs beforehand, so you’re not running around buying gifts at the last minute.
Before you leave the property check external doors and windows are locked.
Always check your key safe works. Leave the key and change the key code after each visit as it is likely to be a requirement of your holiday letting insurance.
Ensure the lighting and heating are on to welcome imminent guests (depending on the season). You never get a second chance to make a first impression, we live by this mantra.

Safety checks - These are legal requirements, never skimp on these!

It’s important to ensure that your property not only looks perfect but is also safe for guests. Check furniture is suitable to use and look for trip hazards. In addition to Portable Alliance Testing (PAT), visually check your electrical appliances are safe to use. Look out for cuts in wires and any other signs of damage. Replace faulty items immediately, never wait for a problem to occur.

It is also vital that you test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working - press and wait for the beep! Check the fire extinguisher and fire blanket can be located easily.

Instructions for guests

Do the same for your holiday let guests. Make sure the arrival and departure times are clear in the booking contract, or you could be in for a nasty surprise when you come to do a quick turnaround clean and find them still packing, or eating breakfast!

Asking your guests to do certain things before they depart could save you a lot of time in the long run.

For example:

Leave used towels in the bathtub.

Empty the bins and remove any opened and perishable food.

Wash and put away any dirty dishes or load the dishwasher.

Turn off the lights.

Close windows and lock the doors.

Leave the key in a certain place.

Preventing wear and tear

A stringent changeover plan not only reduces wear and tear, it also impresses your guests and prevents complaints that your rental is dirty. You are going to have a lot of human traffic through your property. A deep clean will be required at least three times a year, plus you will have to prepare your property for spring and winter with this maintenance checklist. Use this opportunity to replace any items that show damage or signs of wear and tear.

If you are shutting down your holiday home over winter, keep an eye out as we will be posting another checklist of what you will need to do to keep your holiday home in tip top condition.

Deep cleaning tips for holiday rentals

Providing a safe and clean property has always been one of the highest priorities for holiday let owners and managers. It’s now more important than ever to re-evaluate your cleaning procedures and take measures to clean and disinfect your rental as we aim to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak. There are some ‘coronavirus cleansing’ tips to protect your cleaners and guests coming in our next blog.

To summarise

A structured changeover checklist allows you or your housekeeper to tackle the cleaning with military precision. Plus, if you ever need replacement cleaner they will have all the information they need to ensure the property is spotless for incoming guests.

Please help other holiday cottage owners by sharing your changeover tips in the comments below.