{"id":3652,"date":"2022-05-31T10:50:09","date_gmt":"2022-05-31T10:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.schofields.ltd.uk\/blog\/?p=3652"},"modified":"2022-05-31T12:41:56","modified_gmt":"2022-05-31T12:41:56","slug":"choosing-a-holiday-cottage-letting-agent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schofields.ltd.uk\/blog\/3652\/choosing-a-holiday-cottage-letting-agent\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Choose the Best Agency to Manage Your Holiday Let Cottage"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading Time: <\/span> 9<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

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So, you\u2019re looking to hire a holiday home letting agent. This probably means one of several things: either you are new to the business, you\u2019ve realised you don\u2019t have the time to manage your holiday let, or perhaps you\u2019ve realised it takes a lot more expertise than you\u2019ve got for your holiday let to reach its full potential.<\/p>\n

The task of choosing a holiday cottage agency can be a rather daunting one. In most areas, there are quite a few to choose from \u2013 so what should you look for?<\/p>\n

The overall goal is to maximise bookings and profit, but it\u2019s also about forming a business relationship that works for both sides. You need a property manager who understands your needs and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that you and your guests are satisfied. Finding the right agency for your property is paramount to its success.<\/p>\n

Here are our top tips for choosing the best agency to manage your holiday let.<\/p>\n

What does a holiday let property manager do?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Exactly how much you want the agent to do depends on your budget, your time constraints, and your goals. Typically, there are two holiday let management options; owner-managed, and agency managed.<\/p>\n

Those owners who live near to their holiday home and would rather be more hands-on with the day-to-day running of the property can opt for an owner-managed service. This is where the owner or housekeep is responsible for cleaning, laundry, changeovers, and maintenance issues.<\/p>\n

The agency takes care of marketing the property managing the bookings and 24\/7 guest support.<\/p>\n

The agency managed service means the agency takes care of everything – the cleaning, laundry, changeovers, checking the property before and after bookings, arranging key collection and property maintenance. The agency can also help with legislative requirements such as gas safety checks and fire risk assessments.<\/p>\n

The agency also takes care of marketing the property managing the bookings and 24\/7 guest support.<\/p>\n

Most agencies are willing to work with hosts to tailor a management solution. It all depends on which tasks you are happy to do, and which will be the most cost-effective to outsource.<\/p>\n

How to find the best holiday letting agents<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Google is a useful starting point for your research. Search as though you were a potential guest looking for a holiday cottage in your location. Use search phrases such as \u2018\u2019holiday cottage in \u2026\u2019 or \u2018dog friendly cottage in \u2026\u2019<\/p>\n

Which agencies dominate both the paid positions and the regular search results?<\/p>\n

Are they a small local agency or a national agency with thousands of properties? A small local agency is likely to have specialist knowledge of the area whereas a large agency is likely to have more resources (and marketing budget) to reach a national market.<\/p>\n

Typically, a quick overview of the letting agency\u2019s website should give you an idea of their success. Pay particular attention to:<\/p>\n

\u2013 How many similar properties they list in the same area
\n\u2013 Whether their rental rates seem realistic (too low\/high)?
\n\u2013 The occupancy rates<\/p>\n

Do they manage several similar holiday lets in the same area as your property with good forward bookings? This is probably the best testament of the fact they\u2019re providing a good standard of property management.<\/p>\n

However \u2013 there is more to a letting agent than just their ability to get bookings. Now you have a shortlist of agents, it\u2019s time to do some further research.<\/p>\n

What holiday home owners need to know before choosing an agency<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

First impressions<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Trust your first impressions. After meeting\/speaking to the holiday letting agent, did you like them?<\/p>\n

Were they helpful and professional when you first contacted them? And did they answer your questions satisfactorily and without delay?<\/p>\n

The general rule of thumb is that you need to be certain that you would want to book a holiday with this company. If you think they are anything less than perfect, then you must also ask yourself what your potential guests may think.<\/p>\n

How much commission and booking fee does the holiday letting agent charge?<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Holiday let management agents typically charge fees ranging between 20% to 50% depending on whether they just advertise the property and manage the bookings or fully manage the property.<\/p>\n

Make sure you get a crystal-clear idea about agency costs:<\/p>\n