Getting the home ready

Holiday home furnishings need to be practical, comfortable and matching. Lounge suites for example should be covered with an easy-to-clean fabric or better still, real leather. Put yourself in your guest’s shoes: you are on holiday, you're going to want to relax in comfort and put your feet up on the coffee table so furnish the home with furniture that can take a bit of a wear and tear, but that won't break the bank if it needs to be replaced.

Buy the best beds you can afford. Everyone enjoys a good night sleep and this is particularly important when on holiday. Good linen is also a must, so consider buying something that boasts a higher-than-average thread count. Towels too should also provide that added luxurious touch.

Bathrooms especially need to be spotless and mould free and include complimentary soaps,  though not absolutely necessary shampoo will also impress your temporary guests.

The same goes for the kitchen. In addition to being immaculate, owners need to check that everything including the fridge and the stove are in good working order. All the crockery, cutlery as well as the pots and pans should be inspected before a tenant takes occupancy. If you have space for a dishwasher then this is also useful for your cleaner so that it can be running whilst the rest of the home gets attention.

Hang unique artwork, prints or photos on the walls around the property (except the bathroom) rather than picking up the usual prints from your local superstore or furnishing shop. Where possible display artworks created by local artists, this makes a great impression on your guests offering them a flavour of what's available in the area. You could also offer these for sale too.

Air conditioners, if you have them, should be serviced on a regular basis and must be in good working order. Batteries for all alarms, remotes and emergency torch should be checked and replaced where necessary.

Go and stay in the property at least once a year in order to check on the overall condition of the home, regardless of whether you use an agent to manage the property or not. Use this time to fix any snags and to replace broken appliances or fixtures as well as checking the overall condition of the property.

Display all your maintenance and safety certificates so that your guests may see that you are up-to-date and care about their comfort and safety.