This category is about all aspects of Holiday Home Maintenance and will be of interest to UK holiday homeowners. As Holiday Home Insurance Specialists we are proud to share maintenance tips, guidance and articles.

Whether you own a holiday cottage complex, individual holiday home, apartment or cottage these articles are for you. Subjects covered include preventing burst pipes, having your chimney swept, cleaning decking, maintain hot tubs, housekeeping and changeovers.

Check out these posts: Holiday Home winter maintenance tips, Preventing water leaks, Holiday Let Changeovers

Autumn property maintenance tips for your holiday home

Autumn property maintenance tips for your holiday home

Autumn property maintenance tips for your holiday home It’s the time of the year when many holiday homeowners take a deep breath. Maybe enjoy their first weekend in a while free from back to back bookings and challenging changeovers. Or even stay in the holiday property themselves. Sound familiar? Holiday homes across the country will have welcomed hoards of people through their doors during the peak season. If you self-manage that not only leaves you feeling tired but can also take its toll on your property.

For that reason, there’s no better time of the year than now to take stock of any wear and tear. Identify what needs replacing or maintaining. Then get to work restoring it to the fine condition it was in at the start of the peak season.

Here are a few Autumn property maintenance tips for your holiday home.

Prepare your property maintenance checklist

It’s inevitable that any holiday home will experience some wear and tear over the peak months of the year. Whilst a wobbly door handle or chair may seem innocuous, the smallest issues can cause accidents if not addessed. Make up a property maintenance checklist of these small issues and tackle them before your next guests arrive.

Now is a great time to go through the entire property, ensuring that all rooms are in full working order. And do the level of accommodation you’re wanting to provide guests with justice.  Whilst many holiday homes will have a checklist for external cleaners to follow during changeover, it’s worth making your maintenance checklist more thorough and in-depth to ensure nothing is missed.

Work through each room, ensuring that each item is ticked off your list.

Top tips to revive the interior of your holiday home

  1. Consider having your carpets professionally cleaned; it can give a tired post-season room a real boost.
  2. If you’re hoovering yourself, ensure your vacuum cleaner has a clean HEPA filter. This can reduce allergy causing carpet mites and ensure more of those dog hairs are removed (if your accommodation is dog friendly!).
  3. Steam cleaning upholsteries such as curtains, sofas and alike every six months can revive their appearance and avoid the need for replacing them.
  4. Rubbing a teaspoon of lemon oil on a glass shower door each month can cause water to bead up and roll off.
  5. Ever placed your cushions or pillows in the freezer? Probably not, but it can be a great way of killing off any mites that may have made their way into your holiday home during the summer. Simply leave them in there for 48 hours and they should be gone!

Readying your holiday home for harsher weather

The great British summer can sometimes be somewhat unpredictable, the winter months are more reliable with higher levels of wind, rain and cooling temperatures guaranteed.  Your maintenance checks should extend to the exterior of your property and the surrounding land / gardens.

For a full breakdown of items that could and should be on your external checklist please have a look at our previous blog posts here:

Top tips to revive the exterior of your holiday home

  1. If you’re looking for a deep and effective clean, there’s nothing more effective than a stiff brush. Target paths, decking and other areas in which slippery algae, dirt and lichen can gather and cause accidents as well as looking unsightly.
  2. Remove leaves and debris on a regular basis. This will reduce the risk of flooding should they block nearby drains and other areas in which winter water needs to escape.
  3. When was the last time your windows were washed? It can sometimes be left on the to-do list during peak season, so make sure they’re spick and span, and that you also check paintwork or the surrounds of the window to ensure no remedial work is currently required.
  4. Regularly washing your exterior paintwork will give it a real lift and remove dirt containing corrosive pollutants which in turn can increase the life of your paint.
  5. Outside lighting can really lift the look of your holiday home, as well as being important for your guest’s safety and security when the nights pull in. Replace any corroded fittings and clean regularly if these are already fitted.

Property maintenance is an essential aspect for holiday homeowners fulfilling their duty of care. Keeping on top of it will ensure you achieve the best returns on your holiday home. A well maintained property will also reduce the risks of holiday home insurance claims.

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. Need an insurance quote for your holiday let? Give us a call on 01237 429444.

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holiday let housekeeping

Housekeeping – keeping your Holiday Let spick and span

holiday let housekeeping

When it comes to your holiday home you want everything to be perfect for your guests arrival. Central to achieving this are those little things, many of which will come under the cleaning, cleanliness and housekeeping banner; VisitBritain believe ‘housekeeping is probably the single most important part of the holiday home letting process’. It’s also the area that prompts more customer complaints than any other throughout UK holiday homes.

So how can you ensure that your standards are never compromised even at this time of year when the sheer volume of visitors calling your cottage their home leads to greater pressure on your changeover periods?

We’ve been taking a look at the latest VisitEngland guidance, and put together some top tips of our own to ensure everything is as it should be when it comes to your housekeeping, whether you carry it out yourself or hire a contract cleaning company.

There should be no evidence of previous guests

There’s nothing worse than arriving at a holiday home to find the remnants of the previous occupants. Make sure all bins (not forgetting those in the bathroom) are emptied, any leftover food is removed from the fridge and that there aren’t any crumbs left around the toaster or other cooking appliances. Its particularly important to pay attention to the kitchens and bathrooms, and it is vital that the beds are clean with fresh linen and free from finger prints on the headboard or any surrounding areas.

Also consider the products you’re using; you want things to be incredibly clean, but not smell like they’ve walked into a sterile environment.

These are all common sense things, but getting the basics right here really is the key to success.

Find a good and reliable housekeeping company

Cleaning can become an arduous and time consuming task for any holiday homeowner. If you’ve not realistically got the time to undertake it yourself, it may well be useful to outsource the responsibility.

Finding the right person or company to take on the housekeeping is the most important factor here; if you’ve got a holiday home letting agent then chat to them about who they’d recommend as they’re likely to have the benefit of local knowledge. Also consider having a chat with other cottage owners in the area to find who they’re using. Recommendations are worth their weight in gold when it comes to finding the right person or company, and they in return will become a real asset to your cottage.

Keeping on top of quality control

Most quality holiday homes will have a checklist to ensure that cleaning tasks are never missed, no matter how busy things get. If you’ve not got a cleaning checklist together then it’s certainly worth creating one and essential if you’re handing the cleaning duties on to a third party or new staff throughout the season.

It’s not just about the cleaning!

First impressions are everything, so make sure you pay attention to the overall maintenance of your holiday letting property. If the first thing your guests will see is the garden, make sure it is well-kept and tidy, paying particular attention to decking areas. Ensure that all of your furniture inside and out are fit for purpose and haven’t become worn or damaged over time (particularly prevalent during the busiest periods).

Perhaps give some thought to the contents of your kitchens cupboards. Do your guests have all of the right utensils and crockery? Have you left enough plates for the amount of guests you are expecting? It’s useful to write up a checklist. This will help you walk around your property and make periodicy checks. Elements such as lightbulbs, door handles, stair carpets, dripping taps and batteries for electrical remotes could otherwise be overlooked.

For further tips regarding housekeeping and changeovers please click here: Holiday Let Changeovers | A good time to make additional checks

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. For information on how we can help and support your holiday home business call us on 01237 429444.

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heating oil tank

Heating oil tanks and preventive maintenance

heating oil tank

Domestic oil storage tank in a rusty state.

From gas boilers to ground source heat pumps, there are an array of options for heating your holiday home. Some will have turned to renewable energy to supplement or replace more traditional heating fuels. Meanwhile many rural holiday homeowners still rely on heating oil to keep their cottage warm.

There are benefits of having a heating oil tank, such as reliability and convenience however they also require care and maintenance. Let’s have a look at what you should be doing to maintain your system so it runs efficiently and effectively.

Annual service

Just as your car needs an MOT each year, your heating oil tank and system requires an annual service and inspection. This should be carried out by a technician who is registered with Oftec (the Oil Firing Technical Association). If you’re not sure if a business is registered with Oftec check their accreditation. To do this and search for local engineers visit their website here.

Regular checks

Regular checks can save vast amounts of money and damage by spotting issues early.
It’s really important not to rest on the laurels of an annual check and believe that this represents a job done. As with other areas of your holiday home, it’s vital that your oil tank is checked on a regular basis, and that this is included in your standard holiday home maintenance checklist.

If you live away from your holiday home, ensure that someone has the responsibility of checking the oil tank and that they keep a record of each time it is checked.

It can be prudent to undertake checks more regularly during the winter months. During this time the tank will also be exposed to the worst of the British winter weather.

What to look for

First and foremost, see if you can find any signs of damage or wear. Bulges, scratches, rust, and even discolouration can be a sign that there is something wrong. It can be useful to have pictures of the tank when it was new so you can compare any possible discolouration.

Vents and gauges should be securely closed, as any rainwater, insects, or dirt that gets in could cause some serious damage to both the tank and your oil.

You will also need to look around the tank, ensuring that no plants are growing near it and that access to the oil tank is clear.

Alarms and gauges must be working properly, so check them as you would the smoke alarm in your home. A faulty alarm could prevent you from realising that your oil supply has reached a critical level, thus leaving your guests without heating.

The risk of water

Water is one of the biggest threats to oil heating tanks. It can damage and corrode heating systems, and reduce the efficiency of your oil. It is sensible to take precautions to ensure that water doesn’t find its way in.

If you suspect that your tank has been invaded by water, there are two checks you can undertake. Firstly, take a look at the bottom of the tank; if there are signs of a darkened area this could be erosion caused by water. Alternatively, you can use a water-finding paste which is put onto a long stick and dipped into the tank. The colour the paste turns will inform you if there is water in your tank.

Oil leaks

Causing pollution is illegal, and oil can be harmful to the environment, therefore If you discover a leak or spill it needs to be fixed immediately. Call in a professional to repair the leak. If you discover a leak which leads to a spill call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour incident hotline on 0800 807060. It would also be wise to call your insurers as soon as you are aware of the incident.

Are you seeking a holiday home insurance provider for a rural holiday cottage or complex with oil fired heating? It’s important to ensure you have the right cover.

If you have questions about heating oil tanks and your holiday home insurance policy, get in touch via cottages@boshers.co.uk or give our team a call. 

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. Require a quote for your holiday apartment, cottage or complex? Please give us a call on 01237 429444.

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holiday home electrical circuit safe

Is your holiday home electrical circuit safe?

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holiday home electrical circuit safeThere are some items in modern life we just couldn’t do without, whether in the home or whilst on holiday; kettles, coffee machines, toasters, microwaves, TV’s, Hi-Fi’s and mobile devices. These all play a central part of our days, as they will be for those visiting your holiday home. What they all have in common is the need for reliable mains power. As a responsible holiday homeowner you have a duty of care to ensure the safety of your guests. Is your holiday home electrical circuit safe and how do you ensure that it is and remains so?

What are the risks posed by electricity in your holiday home?

The main risks are:

  • Electrocutions and fatal electrical burns

Statistics from 2010 show that in one year 28 deaths occurred in Great Britain due to electrocutions. 6 of these occurred in the work place and 22 were home or leisure related.

  • Electric shocks

A staggering 2.5million people receive a non-fatal electric shock per year, of whom 350,000 receive a serious injury.

  • Accidental electrical fires

In 2011/12 there were 20403 fires of an electrical origin in Great Britain. 2471 of these related to the electrical installation and directly accounted for 8 deaths and 167 injuries.

How old is your fuse board? It may be time to replace it for one with RCD’s

Interestingly a DTI report estimated that 20% of electrical fires could be prevented by the presence of an RCD. RCD’s (Residual Current Device) form an integral part of modern fuse boards. They are very sensitive and trip the electrical circuit at the first sign of a problem.

Source: Electrical Safety First Core Data Set

Your responsibilities as a holiday homeowner

Under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the Health and Safety at Work Act, you have a duty of care. This duty extends to both your holiday lets’ electrical appliances and the electrical circuit.

There are no specific requirements when it comes to the frequency of checks to ensure the electrical circuit is safe. However it is still important to comply with your duty of care. The best way to do this is to engage a professional to conduct an electrical safety inspection.

Conduct an electrical safety inspection

It is best practice to have an electrical safety inspection before you welcome guests into your holiday home. Whilst this is not currently a mandatory requirement for most individual holiday homes, it is widely regarded as best practice. Having an electrical safety inspection will demonstrate that you take safety seriously. Remember your duty of care extends towards your guests and the employees and contractors who maintain your holiday home.

An electrical safety inspection is a common requirement of a quality holiday letting agent, they’ll often require proof before advertising your cottage. Holiday letting agents will have reliable tradesman and will put you in touch with qualified electricians in the area. They are also a basic requirement of the quality assessment schemes which are run on behalf of our national tourism boards.

An electrical safety inspection comes in two parts, and involves (1) an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) which looks at the safety of the electrical wiring circuit installations, fixtures and fittings – and (2) a PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) check.

Top tip: An Electrical Installation Condition Report may be included in the cost when upgrading your fuse board to a modern one incorporating RCD’s.

Electrical Installation Condition Report

As a general recommendation, an Electrical Installation Condition Report should be carried out every five years. This will vary depending on the age of your installation, and if there has been any problems or damage during that period, such as an escape of water. These tests should be carried out by a registered electrician who is qualified to perform them. Any recommended remedial work should be followed through as soon as physically possible.

Once the inspection and any necessary work is complete, obtain a certificate and keep it safe, furthermore your holiday home letting agent may require a copy.

Top tip: ask the electrician who inspects your holiday home electrical wiring circuit for guidance on regular visual inspections that it would be wise for you to make in between each Electrical Installation Condition Report. Keeping a record of such visual inspections will demonstrate that you take your guests safety seriously and may just prevent an incident.

PAT Testing

As well as large fixed wiring installation checks, you should also frequently carry out visual checks on all electrical appliances. From the little things like hairdryers, to larger items such as your fridge and washing machine, you’ll need to give them a visual once over on a regular basis. Check for broken plugs and frayed mains leads, if in doubt have them inspected and repaired by a professional.

It is a general recommendation that portable appliances in a holiday home are checked periodically for faults. This should be done by a competent person, preferably annually. To learn more about Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) checks in holiday homes click the link below:

All holiday homeowners want their guests to have a great time. Having a procedure for checking electrical items in place helps ensure this, as a result you’ll be meeting your duty of care and in addition you’ll also be ensuring they have a safe and enjoyable stay.

Your holiday home insurance

Maintaining a record of when appliances were purchased demonstrates good practice. Staple the receipt to a piece of the packaging which identifies the item and keep them safe. Don’t forget to place a copy of the user instructions in your Welcome Information Folder. Keep copies of your Electrical Installation Condition Report and certificates issued for your Portable Appliance Testing checks when undertaken. Showing that you’re responsible, compliant and have made every effort to keep your guests safe will help smooth the claims process should there be an accident or injury in your holiday home.

Whilst reading this article you’ve probably been asking yourself if you have taken all possible measures to protect your holiday home visitors? We have other articles on these subjects, here are links to a few which may be of interest to you:

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. For more information on how a specialist insurer can help and support your holiday home business, please give us a call for an insurance quote today.

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Holiday Home Winter Maintenance

Essential low season holiday home winter maintenance tips

Holiday Home Winter MaintenanceThese essential holiday home winter maintenance tips should help you survive the low season claim free. This time of year is an interesting one for many holiday homeowners; whilst there’s been a trend towards an increase in bookings during the first few months of each year, for many this will still be the lowest period of occupancy and at a time when the great British weather can be at its most unforgiving.

Although it may seem a good time to lock the cottage door, shut everything down for a few months and get some well-earned rest, there are still a few things you’ll need to be doing in order to make sure your holiday home is in tip top condition for when your guests begin to arrive in their droves once more.

Here’s a timely reminder of what you should and need to be doing at this time of year, congratulations if you’re already on top of them all.

Getting your holiday home ready for significant weather

Step one when it comes to winter maintenance; make sure that the property is fit to withstand winter weather. Wind, rain, and even snow can cause real damage to properties so some quick visual checks can make sure that your property stands in good stead to fight them off.

One of the most common causes of damage is loose roof slates; how are yours looking? Have a qualified roofer carry out any maintenance that may be required.

Another is the blockage of drains and downpipes causing water to collect in large volumes; when was the last time yours were checked and cleaned? Remember leaves, a key culprit when it comes to blockages, have been falling for a number of months now.

Trees, hedges and gardens also need a prune to stop any large branches becoming flying objects that can do damage to not only your own cottage, but those living or parked nearby.

Avoiding frozen pipes

As insurers we know there’s nothing like Jack Frost when it comes to claims and damage to properties; your heating shouldn’t be turned off at this period. Ensure that it’s set to a minimum temperature throughout your holiday home to prevent pipes from freezing. If you able to do so also ensure the water is turned off to minimise the chances of water escaping through pipes bursting or failed plumbing. If you’re unable to leave the heating on then all water systems should be drained after turning off the supply at the stop cock.

Opportunist thieves

Low visitor numbers mean plenty of unoccupied properties and therefore for potential targets for those looking to take advantage.  If you do have sporadic visitors during this period, then make sure that you use something such as a key safe and that the code for this safe is changed on a regular basis.

If you live some distance from your holiday home, have someone check the property on a regular basis. Regular visits can minimise the chances of a break in. As can ensuring that all doors and windows are locked once guests have departed.

Complying with policy conditions

Insurance policy conditions aren’t there to get insurers out of a claim or to be overly officious. They’re there to help you minimise the risks to your property.

Being aware of the conditions in your policy will ensure that you know you’re adhering to everything you need to. If you make a claim, you’ll be confident that you have taken due care of your property. In doing so you’ll also be minimising the risks to your holiday cottage and guests. We are always upfront and clear about our policy conditions but just incase you need reminding, click below to reveal them:

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. We’re here to help and support you as a holiday homeowner. If you require advice or an insurance quote please give us a call on 01237 429444.

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water leaks

Preventing water leaks

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water leaksPreventing damage from water leaks

Each year, water leaks produce enough water to fill almost 4,000 Olympic sized swimming pools, and create millions of pounds of damage. As the weather gets colder, holiday homes are often left empty for longer periods during this time of year, hence the risk of water leaks is only increased.

FREE Water Leak Action Pack

To help you try to avoid leaks in your holiday home and to help your guests act quickly if one is discovered, we’re sending every one of our holiday home insurance policyholders a Water Leak Action Pack which contains:

  • Guidance on preventing water leaks
  • What to do if you, your housekeeper or guests discover a leak
  • Somewhere to record where your stopcock is to be found
  • Labels and stickers to clearly mark your stopcock
  • Somewhere to record contact numbers incase of a leak

Once you have used the contents and recorded the important numbers the Water Leak Action Pack can be slipped into your holiday cottage welcome folder as useful aide memoir.

New customers will receive the pack when you take out a holiday home insurance policy. Existing customers will be sent one with your renewal receipt. If you can’t wait until your policy is due for renewal or if we usually correspond with you by email, contact us now and we’ll behappy to post one to you without delay.

Common causes of water leaks

Here we explain some of the common causes of water leaks in your holiday home and how you can combat them to ensure your cottage is always ready for your visitors.

Pipework failure

One of the most common causes of water leaks is pipework failure. The issue will often occur at the joint at which one pipe meets with another. Most noteworthy is where flexible hose tails have failed. These are often used on wash basins, and to connect washing machines and dishwashers. Valves and ball cocks are also prone to failure, with all resulting in leaks that can have the potential to escalate quickly if not identified, which is an issue in unoccupied holiday homes that are not regularly checked.

Reasons for pipework failure

The failure can occur for a number of reasons; copper pipes are prone to corrosion over time, whilst poor workmanship can leave you with pipes that aren’t fit for use and ultimately cause big problems.  It’s important to state here that if any alterations or additions are made to the pipework of your holiday home then they should be carried out by a qualified and reputable professional.

Freezing pipes

The most common of all causes of damage to pipework is freezing, which is why it’s vital that your pipes are sufficiently lagged, the heating is left on to maintain a minimum temperature throughout your holiday home to prevent pipes freezing or your water is turned off and the system is drained.

The temperatures have already dropped so if your holiday home is currently unoccupied then ensure these steps have been taken.

What to do if you find a leak

If you discover a suspected leak, it is vital that you take immediate action. The potential water loss from a burst pipe can be as much as 400 litres every hour; that’s about 4 full bath tubs of water, which if left floating around your cottage is going to quickly begin doing some serious damage.

Step one: Turn off the water supply and electrics

First port of call is always to turn off your water supply at the main stopcock; make sure you know where it is located so you can get to it as quickly as possible and have clear instructions for anyone looking after your property to do so. You will also need to turn off the electrics and heating to prevent any further damage or risk of fire.

Step two: drain the water system and take safe action

Next, drain the water system using the taps within the property, ensuring that the system is empty and no more water can leak and cause damage and empty the contents that are at risk and move them into a dry area.

If water is coming through the ceiling, collect it in a suitable receptacle. Similarly, if the ceiling is bulging you can consider piercing it to release the water. Furthermore this may help prevent the ceiling from collapsing. With both of these situations, only carry out the action if it is completely safe to do so.

Preventing leaks

The best way to stop leaks is to prevent it from happening at all. There are several measures you can take to keep your holiday let safe from water damage.

Measure one: Check your stopcock and systems on a regular basis

Checking your stopcock periodically can make things a lot easier if you do get a leak in the future. Check that it turns on and off easily; a stiff stopcock only adds extra worry to an already stressful situation.

Alongside checking the stopcock, regularly inspect and maintain your systems. Use an accredited plumber to inspect your pipework, in addition change washers and fix leaking taps without delay. You will also need to check water tanks and cylinders for any corrosion.

Measure two: Identify any high risk areas in your holiday cottage

Walk through your holiday home and identify any high risk areas and exposed pipework as these exposed pipes could be at risk of freezing, so will need proper insulation and lagging.

Measure three: Empty property procedures

If your holiday let is left empty for an extended period of time, isolate and drain down the water supply. Also, ensure that heating is properly maintained. Check that sink plugs are not left in, as water from any dripping taps could build up and cause issues.

Measure four: Helping your guests

We also recommend that you provide guests with important information on what to do should a leak occur, especially relevant:

  • Instructions of where to find the stopcock
  • Emergency contact information

Use your Water Leak Action Pack and follow these simple guidelines to prevent water leaks from turning into a bigger problem. Finally contact your holiday home insurance claims line without delay as they’ll provide you with advice and guidance and appoint specialists to help dry out and repair your property. Afterall you’ll want to get your holiday home up and running again without delay.

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. We’re here to help and support you as a holiday homeowner. If you require advice or an insurance quote please give us a call on 01237 429444.

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holiday-cottage-maintenance

Top tips for end of season holiday cottage maintenance

holiday-cottage-maintenanceThe main letting season has come to an end and despite strong shoulder month bookings, you might just have a little more time on your hands than you had from May through to October. Once you’ve had a chance to relax, reflect and refresh, now could be a great time to make sure your holiday cottage is in as finer form as it was at the beginning of the letting season.

Take this time of year as a chance to get all those little odd jobs done, as well as completing some basic tasks which will make a real difference when we get into spring and summer next year. Check out these top tips for end of season holiday cottage maintenance.

Damage repair

Many visitors bring much wear and tear! Wobbly handles, dodgy taps, and wonky chairs can now get the attention they deserve. Whilst they may sound innocuous, accidents can come from the smallest issues in your cottage, so make sure you stay on top of these and also use it as a chance to meet the very high standards your guests set for your accommodation.

If you’ve had younger guests, you may even find the odd stain or mucky handprint, so now is the time to put on a fresh lick of paint and spruce the house up a bit. It’s also important to check your heating system and boiler and get it serviced by a qualified professional.

Whilst over high season you will have either been cleaning yourself or using a professional, now is the time to have a really deep clean of your holiday cottage. As part of your holiday cottage maintenance programme, consider having your carpets professionally cleaned; it can really give a tired, post-season room a boost. Pull out all the furniture and give them some elbow grease to get the place sparkling and fresh

Weather proofing

With low season comes bad weather. We can’t avoid the wind and rain that comes our way, but we can prepare our holiday cottages for it. The first port of call is to check guttering and drains are free from any obstruction; water only causes an issue when it hasn’t got anywhere to go!

Also check for visibly loose roof tiles which may be swept off by howling winds, something which can cause major accidents and problems should they fall to the ground. It’s also important to have a scout around for leaky windows, doors and signs of water ingress on ceilings; catching a problem earliy can save time, money and cancelled bookings!

Get gardening

Preparing your garden for the coming winter months is vital. Pruning climbing roses and similar plants will be worth the time and effort when they bloom in Spring. Once they’ve finished flowering, prune them and tie in the stems to prevent any damage from autumnal winds. You also need to clear back any overhanging plants. Not only will these drop leaves and create slipping hazards on the floor below, they could also cause chaos on a stormy day.

Also remember to store away any garden furniture or trampolines; these have a propensity to fly a long way if caught in stormy weather, so ensure it’s safe and secure within a garden shed or somewhere with significant cover.

Winter guests

Ensure that your cottage is ready for the autumn and winter months by understanding the needs of your guests. We’re talking winter duvets (around 12 tog), cosy decorations and blankets, and a working, fully stocked fireplace (if you have one). They’ll also be bringing in wet umbrellas and muddy boots, so ensure that there is somewhere for them to put their dirty and soggy items, preferably a space which will dry them over night.

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. For more information on how a specialist insurer can help and support your holiday home business, please give us a call on 01237 429444.

For further information on UK holiday home insurance visit the website page most relevant to you:

 

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holiday cottage neutral decor

How to create a light and inviting holiday home with neutral interior décor

holiday cottage neutral decorTake a look around your home; what is it that makes it unique and yours, rather than just any old property? Whilst some will say memories, many will say the stamp they’ve put on the place; the extra touches they’ve made, or the changes they’ve crafted.

We all decorate our own homes to our own tastes; makes perfect sense as we’re the ones living there and we want to be surrounded by items that we find to be attractive and appealing. But what happens when you’re decorating your holiday home?

You’re not the only one that’s going to be enjoying it, so how do you decorate in a way that doesn’t alienate the market you’re trying to persuade? The answer is of course creating a light and inviting holiday home with neutral interior décor. Let us tell you why that doesn’t always need to mean magnolia, cream and all things bland…

Colours

Try taking inspiration from your surroundings with the colour scheme, without getting too carried away. If you’re on the coast you could try soft blues combined with shades of white or cream. If you’re in the countryside, take inspiration from the trees and grass outdoors and have little touches of green throughout your holiday let; combining this with warm creams will make the property feel cosy yet classic. Urban holiday homes can’t be forgotten either; a classic white keeps things modern and fresh (and believe us there are many shades of white!).

If you want to have simple walls in cream or white, then you could choose an accent colour in each room. A plain white living room can be brought to life with a splash of colour in the furniture and accessories. It’s important to keep a good balance of accent colour and neutral colour; take it too far and the room could look garish.

Accessories

Ornaments are a tricky one; that favourite china cat statue may have been in the house for the past decade, but it won’t be popular with everyone. Sticking to simple, modern accessories is the best way to add a homely yet stylish touch to your holiday home. Soft blankets in tones that work with your colour scheme, plain cushions, simply framed mirrors; these are all things that will work well for your neutral interior décor, yet also add some personality and life.

Lighting is another important aspect. By day, there may be plenty of natural sunlight, but in the evening your guests could create a cosy and relaxing atmosphere with lamps. Tall, free standing lights and table lamps both work well; just make sure they’re placed correctly to provide the right amount of illumination. Add extra control to your lighting by installing dimmer switches. This will also have the added advantage of keeping the assessor happy when your holiday home is quality assessed.

Furniture

This is where you’ll need to think practically. Guests will expect durable and good quality beds, sofas, tables, and chairs so make sure you are providing that. It may be tempting to get that cheap sofa from Ikea, but investing in a quality one will save you money in the long term and provide visitors with a comfortable place to relax.

Simple styles are also best in terms of furniture. Plain fabrics and classic looks work best, you can add a finishing touch with stylish duvets and cushions on beds and sofas, and table cloths and heat mats on tables.

What does your target market think

Ultimately your holiday home needs to appeal to a certain type of person and you need to think of them at all times. If young children are going to be present then you will of course cut down on small additions to your cottage that could be swallowed, or easily broken.

A young couple on a walking holiday will be wanting more functional items such as wet clothes storage items, whilst the more romantic upon us might want some cosy blankets to cuddle under in the winter months.

Keep it natural, use neutral interior décor in line with what your guests want, and you’ll not go far wrong.

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. For more information on how a specialist insurer can help and support your holiday home business, please give us a call on 01237 429444.

For further information on UK holiday home insurance visit the website page most relevant to you:

 

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Listed Building Consent

Maintaining and updating your Heritage Home – Listed Building Consent

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Listed Building ConsentAs a nation we love our history and heritage; there’s a reason National Trust properties are some of the most popular venues to visit across the country no matter what the season.  A recent survey by Historic England has now revealed that the owners of listed buildings are also proud with their own stake in a yester year.

For the report 1,000 privately owned listed building owners were surveyed, with 93% of those asked seeing their property as important to local character.

If you own your own slice of English heritage then you’ll need to be familiar with the obligations and responsibilities that come with owning a listed property, particularly when it comes to making modifications or changes to your building (as may be the case with the ever changing needs and demands of visitors).

Listed Building Consent (LBC)

As so many historic properties are privately owned (some two thirds of the listed properties across the UK are in private ownership), it is up to the homeowners to ensure that proper maintenance is carried out in order to preserve these wonderful buildings. As part of this, there is sometimes a need to apply for Listed Building Consent (LBC). This building consent must come from your local planning authority, and it is needed if you want to alter or extend a listed building in a way that affects its character or appearance.

Understanding which work requires LBC

88% of owners recognise the importance of Listed Building Consent, which is good because unauthorised work is a criminal offence which can result in prosecution. Whilst most owners have reported a positive experience when applying for LBC, one third of people have had a bad experience.

The survey shows that there is a lot of confusion around Listed Building Consent as not everyone knows what types of work require the consent. It can also seem like a long and complex process, which also puts owners off. For clear advice, take a look at Historic England’s LBC page here.

General Maintenance can be carried out without consent

It is however ok to carry out general maintenance without consent. The survey has shown that historic building owners take good care of their properties, with two thirds of them carrying out regular maintenance (which is incredibly important if you’re welcoming guests to your property).

45% of owners clear gutters and pipes annually (which we recommend as a minimum), whilst 36% clear roof coverings and chimneys annually (which again is a minimum figure you should be adhering to).

Only 10% of listed building owners paint and repairs windows and doors every year, with 58% opting to do this every 2 to 5 years.

Maintaining your listed building to a high standard isn’t just good for the property itself, it is also great for drawing in holiday let visitors, who as you know, come with increasing expectations and standards each and every year.

Boshers are specialist providers of Listed Holiday Home Insurance. For more information on how a specialist insurer can help and support your holiday home business, please give us a call on 01237 429444. 

Follow this link for posts similar to Insurance for Listed Holiday Lets with Heritage and other useful resources for holiday home owners.

You may also find the following post for Listed Holiday Let owners of interest:

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Holiday Let Changeovers

Holiday Let Changeovers – a good time to make additional checks!

Holiday Let ChangeoversDuring the busy summer months, it’s common to have a small time frame for your holiday let changeovers between guests. With time at a premium it’s important for you to still check your holiday home to ensure it is safe, suitable for guests, and looking lovely.

Catching problems or faults early can prevent potential accidents and save you money in the long run. Here’re a few items you or your housekeeping should be checking during holiday let changeovers.

Checking around your cottage

Start with the outside of the property. Make sure that the pathways are clear and free of slip hazards such as algae or moss (particularly prevalent during rainy periods). It is also a good idea to check driveways and parking areas for the same issues. For tips on removing moss and algae check out our blog post on the subject:

During the winter months, there’s bound to be a collection of leaves and other bits clogging up your guttering. Ensure that they are cleared to avoid any blockages and overflowing water (this is often the main cause of water damage to cottages).

Have you updated your key safe combination?

Holiday cottages can often become targets for opportunistic thieves, particularly during the summer months when they know visitors will often be away from the property during the day.  If you have a key safe, it is recommended that you change the code between guests. For further guidance on the use of key safes check out these blog posts:

Whilst you are changing the code, have a quick look and see if there is any damage; in the event that the key safe is compromised find other ways for you to provide your guests with keys while a replacement is sought.

Checks to be made inside your cottage

Inside the property there are many things you will need to check. Ensure that all furniture and furnishings are suitable for use and live up to customer expectations and standards.

Now is also a good time to see if there is any general maintenance that will need to be carried out. Keep an eye out for peeling wallpaper, walls that need repainting, or tired looking soft furnishings. Make a note of wobbly taps, dodgy door knobs, and tricky locks.

It is also vital that you test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. These alarms are a legal requirement, and regular testing means you are keeping your guests safe.

Visual checks and Portable Alliance Testing (PAT) are important in ensuring that all your electrical appliances are fit for use. Whilst PAT is not a legal requirement, it is good practice and a prerequisite of many of the tourism accommodation quality assured schemes. Regular visual checks in between annual PAT tests are advisable, take a look at the leads and plugs on all electrical items. This includes lamps, kettles, TVs and everything else! Keep an eye out for breaks or cuts in wires and any other damage. Remove defective appliances and replace them as necessary.

Don’t forget to test and check your battery powered devices such as TV and DVD remotes.

How about that hot tub and garden furniture?

If you do have a hot tub for guests, then it’s important you have the relevant health and safety checks in place. You can find out more in our blog post here:

Garden furniture will obviously be popular during the summer so make sure it’s still sturdy and in fine condition. Once autumn and winter arrive ensure it’s stored away, and this also applies to periods of inclement weather.

Other bits and pieces

This is also a good time to make sure your property is clean and hygienic. Make sure that there isn’t any food left in the fridge from the previous guests, the bins are empty, and beds are clean and fresh.

Before you leave the property and the next group of guests enjoy your home, have a final check of external doors and windows. Any unsecured entrances are an invitation to thieves! Make a note of any wear and tear that could become a problem in the future.

Getting into the habit of carrying out these checks during your holiday let changeovers is not only necessary for safety, it shows a high level of care for your guests.

Keep a list

There is plenty to think about so if you’re unable to get to the property, make sure you ask your cleaner or whoever is responsible for the changeover process to complete a tick sheet of items so you’re able to maintain consistency and ensure every item on the list is checked.

Boshers offer specialist holiday home insurance to owners across the UK. For more information on how a specialist insurer can help and support your holiday home business, please give us a call on 01237 429444.

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