Winter has seemed particularly long and harsh, with incessant rain and stormy weather, but now spring is finally here, it’s time to enjoy the sunshine and prepare your holiday let properties for the busy season ahead.
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As warmer days inspire people to start booking their getaways, make sure your rental properties are ready for the influx of guests that spring and summer could attract.
Why refresh your holiday let property in spring?
Just as householders start spring cleaning their own home, holiday let cleaning is an important part of the annual schedule. After all, spring is associated with renewal and rejuvenation, so it’s the ideal time to refurbish your holiday home.
The majority of Brits are either planning a holiday, or already booking their trip, with a massive 84% of people saying they’re ready to take a break at this time of year, according to the ABTA Holiday Habits survey of 2024.
The three most popular types of holiday are city breaks, relaxing on the beach and countryside retreats. Visitors are enjoying the beautiful British landscape as much as foreign destinations, especially since cost-effectiveness is a major consideration for 42% of people.
Capitalise on the reawakened enthusiasm that abounds at this time of year by organising a rental property refresh. After all, holiday let management is all about keeping up with demand and making seasonal changes, so preparing your portfolio now, before peak season, will ensure it looks fresh and inviting for increased numbers of visitors as summer approaches.
Knowing their accommodation is of a high quality, with good health and safety standards, is the most important factor for 43% of holidaymakers, according to the ABTA research. When potential guests spot your holiday property online, it must have the “wow” factor to reassure them – this will enable you to compete in a busy marketplace.
How refreshing the furniture helps
It’s not just about spring cleaning, although that’s the best place to start, as refreshing your holiday let furniture impacts the overall guest experience and satisfaction as well.
Polls show 61% of Brits aged 55 to 64 years, 60% of families with older children and 56% of families with kids under five are all planning to take a holiday in the UK this year, rather than travelling abroad. While it’s crucial to have high quality holiday let furniture that complies with appropriate standards whatever the demographic, these age groups in particular are looking for something comfortable to suit all their needs.
New, comfortable, and stylish accommodation enhances the guest experience by making the space more inviting and comfortable, which can lead to higher reviews and repeat bookings: landlord furniture packages can make replacing your furnishings easier, as everything you need is provided by one supplier. It also ensures the items will comply with mandatory standards, such as fire safety legislation.
Key furniture for holiday lets
Landlords should focus on updating key areas to have the greatest impact. These tend to be the places where guests will socialise, eat and sleep, including the living room, where a new sofa and coffee table as a centrepiece can make a massive difference.
A good night’s sleep at the end of an energetic day exploring the local sites is a must, so upgrading beds and bedframes is important. Guests like to dine in style while on holiday, whether it’s eating breakfast together, or returning for an evening meal, so you may consider a new dining table and chairs to enhance their experience.
Declutter your holiday let
A general declutter of your holiday let can contribute to a more enjoyable guest experience. A tidy environment, free from items no longer needed, creates a more relaxing and spacious feel, which can help guests to feel more relaxed and settled.
Research suggests around 25% of people feel clutter in the room bothers them and detracts from their overall enjoyment of the property.
Spring maintenance tasks
While carrying out a spring refresh, the most common maintenance issues that may need attention for holiday let owners include the plumbing, electrical system and heating and cooling systems.
As well as the mandatory legal responsibilities to ensure rental properties are safe, including making sure electrical and gas appliances are functioning properly, it’s sensible to carry out checks now, rather than suffer the costly risk of having something break down during peak season. For example, a boiler breakdown, on average, costs up to £500 to repair, so being proactive now and having it serviced is better than enduring downtime if it stops functioning during your busiest period.
Also test carbon monoxide detectors, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers to ensure they’re in good working order – replace the batteries if necessary.
Finishing touches
Add seasonal touches to your property without overspending to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. Simple updates such as adding fresh linen, vibrant throw pillows and cushions, seasonal artwork, and new lighting fixtures can bring a fresh look without major costs.
If you think your carpets and curtains are looking tired, there’s no need to replace them all in one go, as steam cleaning is a great way of invigorating items that may have lost their sparkle over winter.
Finally, don’t forget the outdoor areas: if your property has a garden, this is the first thing guests will notice, both in your online marketing material and as they arrive. If it’s too much to tidy up yourself, maybe consider a gardening professional.