Holiday Home Rental Guidelines

So you have decided to rent out your home or your holiday home? Perhaps for accommodation during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup or as holiday accommodation along the coast of South Africa when you’re not using it yourself, a great idea.

Most owners of second homes or holiday homes are unable to utilise these all the time and an opportunity exists to earn an income whilst these homes are not in use, this income is usually sufficient to cover the annual costs of ownership and can often be a very lucrative opportunity, there are however a few things to consider. Holiday rental of your home can also free up an opportunity for you to holiday elsewhere, an alternative holiday for the family somewhere else in South Africa. As an example, rent out your home this Christmas and use the income for a trip to Mauritius knowing that your home will be professionally cared for.

On the other hand, many holiday makers are looking for a relaxed family holiday and often find traditional holiday establishments such as Hotels unsuitable, perhaps either fully booked or prohibitively expensive, particularly over the holiday season. Renting a private self-catering holiday home gives the family many options in a relaxed home-from-home environment. It makes sense for these two markets to find each other and co-exists on a mutually beneficial basis.

Plan properly, suggests Alan Hawkins, CEO of Staysa (Pty)Ltd. one of South Africas’ largest accommodation rental organizations, www.staysa.co.za is an accommodation portal that specialises in the rental of holiday homes.

Staysa is recommending to owners who make their homes available for rental to set fair prices that are market related and not to make unreasonable demands on tenants. Whilst the season has been very successful to date with bookings approximately 35% ahead of the previous year, a price resistance was certainly felt along the coast.

Mr Hawkins says that “days rented” were much higher than a year ago but his agents have reported that the average length of stay was shorter than previously experienced. Staysa.co.za is the largest holiday home rental organization in South Africa and Mr Hawkins believes that the market is young and well positioned to grow over the next few years as we head toward the soccer world cup in 2010. More and more owners are realizing that their homes are able to generate income whilst not being used by the owners themselves.

Mr Hawkins suggests owners spend time and effort in preparing their homes carefully, the rental guest is quite particular and expect a home that meets high standards, is well furnished, not with hand-me-downs form your permanent home but with comfortable furnishings that match the quality and price of the home advertised.
The internet remains a successful and effective marketing tool, with around 5 million users in South Africa with this projected to double by 2014, the internet and staysa enjoys a growing number of new visitors each day with inquiries from all corners of the globe. “Cape Town and the Western Cape remain popular destinations for international visitors and the holiday havens along the Eastern Cape coast are growing in popularity every year.”

Home rentals offer an opportunity for owners to earn income, “Why not” he says, as long as you are dealing with a professional organization and the process is efficiently managed in accordance with good procedural systems. It is actually quite simple and relatively risk free. From the home owners’ viewpoint, a professional rental company will manage the full process for an absentee owner.

Tenants are reference checked and the full process is managed efficiently from the collection of deposits, the completion of legally binding contracts right through to departure. This can be a completely hands-off process for the owner. The critical element is knowing that their home is being cared for by a hands-on professional, most owners live elsewhere and need to be able entrust their home to the local agent.

The growth in this market stands to benefit more people than just home owners and their tenants, Mr. Hawkins believes that by increasing the occupancy of the empty homes, the local service providers and tourism related activities will benefit from the natural spending power of the visitors. The web site contains a large amount of information and you are invited to visit if you would like to ask any questions or make inquiries www.staysa.co.za.

YOUR INPUT IS CRITICAL…….. Please send any travel tip or travel idea to info@staysa.co.za help fellow travellers to enjoy safe and happy travelling. We will gladly assist with travel information or visit the site at www.staysa.co.za where you will find comprehensive travel and accommodation information.

Alan Hawkins - CEO
www.staysa.co.za