Staycation special: how to prepare your holiday home ...

This May Day Bank Holiday, PIT is running a staycation special series on a range of topics associated with a market that is expected to boom again this summer as foreign travel remains off the menu for most.

With staycations allowed again since April 12 in the UK, as long as it remains within a person’s household or bubble, a further step back towards normality has been taken.

Many people may be using this Bank Holiday weekend to get away with their families for a much-needed break in towns, cities and villages across the UK.

In this guest piece, holiday home expert Phil Schofield advises how owners and investors can prepare their holiday rental to ensure it’s ready for the upcoming staycation season.

In preparation for tourism reopening, Schofield – marketing director at Bolton-based holiday home insurer Schofields - has provided a thorough guide on getting your staycation rental ready for guests this busy season. He outlines what you need to put more consideration into at this unusual time, such as how to make your guests feel welcomed and safe following Covid-based guidelines on short-stays.

You can see the full guide below.

With the abundance of people wanting to feel some freedom and take a break away from home after a year stuck there, staycations in the UK will certainly rocket in numbers this year. We saw a glimpse of this in patches last year, but this year will outdo last by far, especially as holidays abroad are still not yet on the horizon.

Getting your staycation rental ready

If you're a holiday let owner then, of course, there has been a lot of inactivity the past year. Not only have you not had guests, but many haven’t had a chance to visit their holiday home due to being too far away with travel restrictions. A thorough deep clean is an absolute must, particularly in the time of Covid, as well as covering some basic maintenance.

Cleaning

Upon arrival, open all windows to allow fresh air to circulate through all the rooms.
Fully wash your duvets, pillows and bed sheets.
Ensure all dust is wiped clean, check all areas and small gaps and spots.
Give everything a good clean first, before you fully sanitise and disinfect.
Air purifiers can help clear any stale air before guests arrive.
Deep clean your rental by steam cleaning floor tiles, carpets and upholstery.

Routine maintenance

Check window frames for damage or rot.
Check paintwork and patch up flaking areas.
Check for any damp areas on walls.
Inspect the roof for any signs of damage.
Thorough check of all appliances such as boiler checks, gas & electric.
Check the oil tank for any spillage, check oil levels, detect any strong smells and arrange a service check at least once a year.

Security

Start by servicing your security system alarms.
Regularly test your smoke alarms are fully working.
Secure the doors by inspecting the door frames and hinges. Upgrade to smart locks. Installing a video doorbell is also a great security factor.
Provide wireless window sensors alongside the frame of the window or attach a small magnet to the pane for any indications.
Set up security cameras for not only your benefit but also to report anything that would help the police.
Install motion activated lights around the outside of the home.

Risk assessment

Conducting a risk assessment of the property is vitally important. Not only for your guests’ safety and for your safety, but also to ensure safe guidelines are put first.

A risk assessment describes potential hazards at your property and by determining possible dangers beforehand, this will limit and decrease the possibilities of accidents happening.

After all, if you haven’t clearly labelled potential hazards, you could be held liable for any accidents caused to guests that they weren’t aware of. Which could result in paying thousands of pounds or even being imprisoned.

Disclaimer notices are a way to visually declare something deemed a hazard. For example, if you have a pool at the property, display a no diving sign or explain how shallow and deep the pool is for your guests.

Now you’ve written your risk assessment, it’s time to take proper precaution and action inside and outside the property.

Here’s 10 actionable safety tips to get you started:

Highlight fire exits.
Place in non-slip surface mats for showers and baths.
Ensure clear labelling is issued on all cleaning products and keep them in high cupboards.
Give instruction manuals for all appliances within the property.
Sturdy handrails for stairs and safety gates for small children.
Provide a first aid kit.
Smoke, heat & CO detectors. Store a fire extinguisher in the property.
Annual gas and electrical safety checks.
Provide an emergency phone numbers book for guests.
Swimming pool rules to adhere by. Display signs and details on how to remain safe outside around the pool.

On arrival

Make your guests feel welcomed upon arrival by having welcome baskets/hampers. You can also personally speak with your guests via a letter welcoming them to the property.

Is your property near tourist attractions? Hand out leaflets with useful hotspots. In these Covid times, you should also provide hand sanitiser. The times we’re in, this couldn’t be more appropriate.

Further to this, you should provide a ‘how to’ for the property. For example:

How to connect to WiFi.
Controlling the thermostat.
Safely working the wood burner.
Operating the door code and gate code if required.
How to use the TV and entertainment system.
Operating best programme for the dishwasher and washer.

Additional property tips

Regular home maintenance checks will prevent damage and expensive costs for your property. It will also keep the home in good shape, clean and limit any potential damage or rot occurring.
Clear out drains to ensure there are no blockages. Any leaves, dirt or even general rubbish flying up, be sure to clean out to ease the flow of water running.
Inspect the roof of the property for any cracked tiles. Only in extreme weather circumstances will these typically be affected, but is a possibility.
Set your outdoor motion lights to a timer mode. You can also use solar powered lights to save cost.
Look out and seal any cracks inside the home. Inspect pipes and check that cables are intact.