Biomass – the benefits and pitfalls for heating your holiday home With the summer season approaching it can seem somewhat premature to be thinking about heating your holiday home. However, those whom have already been proactive in exploring and sourcing alternative heating technologies will be reaping the benefits not only this winter but for many […]
Hiking, walking and exploring – a growing Holiday Home market Fresh air, stunning views, great company and the sun on your back, what could be better than enjoying a walk in the British countryside? Your doctor will likely agree; from lowering stress levels to a reduction in potential coronary complications, studies indicate there are many […]
What motivates your guests to stay at your holiday cottage and are you using this to increase bookings? When we make decisions, no matter how large or small, logic and reasoning will more often than not play a role in the outcome. Choosing a holiday destination is no different; visitors will be looking to find […]
Guidance for owners of holiday cottages with a pets corner British agriculture has seen unbelievable change since the turn of the century. During that time somewhere in the region of 60 – 80% of farms have diversified in totality or looked to new avenues in order to sustain incomes and grow revenues. From farm shops […]
Making small changes to your coastal holiday home will appeal to guests looking for surfing friendly holidays With more than 7,000 miles between Britain and Hawaii it may seem the two are quite literally poles apart, if not only in terms of geography but also meteorologically given the potential inclemency of a British summer. There […]
A guide to welcoming guests with assistance dogs to your self-catering holiday home Are you aware that there are over 6500 registered assistance dog users in the UK who rely on their trusted companion to carry out practical tasks and support their independence? As a self-catering holiday home owner it’s important that you keep yourself […]
Sustainable Tourism: The benefits of Solar One of the most significant developments in the tourism sector over the past decade has been the continuing growth in demand for accommodation providers and owners of holiday cottages to be green and eco-friendly. Now is the time of sustainable tourism. Worldwide tourism accounts for an estimated 4% of […]
Catering for the growing British cycling market As the pinnacle of worldwide competitive cycling it may seem strange to refer to Tour de France winners as busses, but when Bradley Wiggins was crowned the king of the tour in 2012 very few of us, having waiting more than 100 years for a British winner, expected […]
The benefits of using natural cleaning products around your holiday home As a holiday homeowner what factors do you consider when selecting a cleaning product for your cottage? Are they products that you’ve always used and perhaps see no need in changing? Is it the latest and brightest packaging on the supermarket shelf that catches […]
Rateable Values: Your Holiday Cottage If we said 140 days to you would this seem a long period of time? That’s a little over four and a half months or in terms of the tourism season, approximately the length of time between this year’s Easter Sunday and the return to the classroom of many children […]
Do you own a smart phone? If you do you’re now officially in the majority rather than the minority as latest statistics show that 7 out of 10 UK adults now own a smart phone of some sort. With these phones has come a new way of accessing information, a way of seamlessly integrating a […]
The Met Office has recently provided their weather forecast for the coming months and it’s good news. Their three-month prediction shows the UK may be set for above-average temperatures for April, May and June. Whilst many of us familiar with the inclement nature of the British weather will take this forecast with a pinch of […]
Twitter for holiday homeowners – becoming advocates for your area. In July 2006 a new social network that allowed people to post 140 character text messages was launched. Eight years on that social network is now one of the ten most visited websites on the internet, handling near 2 billion search queries a day and […]
Are you covered for loss of income? This can be an exciting time of the year for holiday homeowners. We know it can also be a busy time; taking bookings, preparing properties and making sure you are fully prepared for the first influx of visitors to your holiday home. So think for a moment. What would […]
Trampolines and holiday homes, a fun combination or an accident waiting to happen? A fact many people won’t be aware of is that the lightest person on a trampoline is five times more likely to be injured. This happens through a phenomenon called “kipping”. This is where jumping at the same time causes the transfer […]
With visitor needs becoming increasingly diverse in nature it’s becoming more and more important to let your potential guests know that your property is the right one for them; that it meets all of their needs and it ticks all of the right boxes in terms of access, facilities and services. An access statement, if […]
Fresh off the printing press, the second edition of Furnished Holiday Lettings – A Tax Guide was prompted by the Pawson case and the implications for business property relief on holiday lets. It has also been updated with revised HMRC guidance in relation to “dwelling houses” and new rules for fixtures in property. This clear […]
Top Trampoline Tips for Holiday Home Owners For families on holiday a trampoline can be a desirable addition to your holiday home’s garden. Whilst bouncing up and down feet in the air will provide plenty of fun you’ll want to ensure you have the mechanisms in place to manage and minimize the risk of injuries […]
PAT Testing As a holiday homeowner it’s vital you keep your property as safe as possible for your visitors and that this extends to all areas including maintaining electrical appliances in your holiday home. Over the years more and more electrical items have been added to the average home and this is no different in […]
Although your holiday home will have a thorough clean at every changeover, overtime dirt, grime and dust can gradually build up in those hard to reach areas affecting the natural aroma of your property. Dazzling your guests with a sparkling holiday home that smells clean and fresh will encourage them to treat it with respect […]
The marketing benefits of having an access statement for your holiday home, letting apartment or holiday cottage complex A recent House of Lords committee found the country is “woefully under-prepared” for the social and economic challenges presented by an ageing society. Britain is indeed ageing; by 2030 it’s predicted the City of London will have […]
Despite the economic recession of recent years one item once considered a luxury is beginning to find it’s way into holiday home gardens all across the UK. Sales of hot tubs and outdoor spas have continued to skyrocket; some suggest as many as one in 10 households now boast one, with more conservative figures placing […]
Very few areas of the country have been able to avoid the battering the UK has faced from the recent winter weather. With more high winds and heavy rain predicted in the coming weeks we’re encouraging holiday home owners to stay vigilant and proactive in regularly checking their properties in order to minimise potential damage. […]
Impress your holiday let guests with a welcome pack app. www.Coponis.com takes the traditional ‘Welcome Information Pack’ provided to guests at self-catering accommodation and utilises technology to put that information (and much more) straight into the hands of the guest prior to their arrival. This gives the guest clear and succinct information to enhance their […]
Your key to protecting your holiday let. As claims increase so do premiums. Fortunately there’s lots you can do to protect your holiday let, your guests and help keep insurance costs down. Take the time to read this informative infographic which explains some of the more common claims affecting holiday homes. There are also top […]
In this post we explore 10 steps to revive your holiday homes exterior. A holiday let property with real kerb appeal will lift your spirits and that of your guests. First impressions count for so much, especially in the self-catering accommodation sector where guests expectations have risen to new heights as the availability of good quality […]
In this post we explore the subject of holiday let insurance for your annexe. It is becoming more and more common in popular rural and coastal self-catering holiday areas for owners of larger properties and empty nester’s to sub-divide their homes and let an annexe to guests holidaying in the area. In doing so, due […]
There has never been a better time to reduce your energy over heads and ‘Do your bit’ for the environment. You may have made changes to your home but have you given thought to “How green is your holiday home?” As energy assessors and building surveyors our friends at footPrint Energy Assessments Ltd have experienced the various […]
Whilst letting your holiday home you expect an amount of general wear and tear such as scuffs on walls and the odd broken piece of crockery which you no doubt absorb into your general running costs. Occasionally your holiday home guests may cause more serious damage either accidentally or with malicious intent. Damage by holiday let […]
Tourism Accommodation and the Law – A One Day Conference on Legislation Affecting Tourism Accommodation Businesses including self-catering holiday homes, cottages and apartments run as furnished holiday letting properties. VisitEngland hosted the above conference in London on the 12th February 2013 to update attendees on recent and forthcoming legislation changes that affect tourism accommodation in England and […]