Journal

Is Your Holiday Cottage Winter Ready?

This year has gone so quickly, it's hard to believe winter is nearly upon us. So it's time to ensure your holiday home is as cosy and comfortable as possible to welcome your winter guests!  Read on for our Winter checklist:

1. Check your system:

During the colder months guests will need heating to stay warm during their stay. One of our most common complaints from guests is that the cottage was cold on arrival or the heating wasn’t functioning properly. We understand that appliances may break, however, yearly maintenance of your systems should help to prevent a breakdown and result in warmer, more satisfied guests.

We recommend checking your appliances in the quieter months such as the beginning of the year so they are ready for the year ahead and also do another check in Autumn in advance for when these appliances will be used most.

Note: By law you are required to have your gas appliances checked every 10-12 months, if these aren’t up to date, then it can be illegal to let the property.

 

2. A Warm Welcome:

A welcome into a warm and cosy abode is the perfect way for your guests to start their holiday. By investing in a remote home heating kit such as Hive, you can turn the heating on in advance and adjust for the guests’ estimated arrival time. Guests will appreciate the gesture and be ready to make themselves at home.

**Helpful tip – have the heating on a timer even if there are no guests, this reduces the risk of pipes freezing and any dampness that may form in older properties

 

3. Compliance:

Property owners are responsible in ensuring public liability insurance, fire risk assessments, all electrical and gas safety compliances are up to date, this is very important.  Make yourself a note in your diary each year when this is due to remind yourself and all documents are then uploaded onto the Owner Portal. Please get in touch if you need any guidance.

 

4. Garden and Exterior:

Although the weather may not be as warm, guests may want to spend time outside and in the cottage surroundings. Ensure all windows are clean, sweep the patio and driveway ready for Winter guests. Having some outdoor furniture is still a good idea such as a bench, for those frosty but sunny Winter mornings. It’s a good time to clean any outdoor furniture and store away ready for springtime.

**Helpful tip – Make sure the gutters are clean, this will help with blockages and leaks

5. General Maintenance:

With Winter months generally being quieter, take time to consider what maintenance work needs doing following a busy holiday season, perhaps some paint touch-ups are needed or a full repaint, even re-decorating a room, or power-washing of the outside areas. Consider an upgrade of appliances, furniture and bed linen if worn or tired.

 

6. A Deep Clean:

A thorough deep clean is essential, we recommend at least once or twice a year, especially for kitchen appliances such as oven, fridge and freezer, windows, and also your paintwork. Make a note for a good time to book this in with our housekeeping team or your own private cleaner. It’s good practice to check the bed linen and towels too and replace if needed. Guests will be expecting high quality all year round.

7. Welcome Pack and Supplies:

Many of our holiday lets supply guests with a welcome pack, i.e tea, coffee, milk, juice, biscuits, cake, even a bottle of wine, this kind gesture will make visitors feel welcome on a dark Winter’s evening. Don’t forget to check your welcome folder, is the information up-to-date? Also ensure you leave instructions for appliances, such as how to work the heating and the WiFi code.

 

8.  Ensure Your Photography Is Up To Date:

Images sell properties!  If you have redecorated, added new soft furnishings or a new sofa ready for Winter it is great to show these off as guests search for the cosy element. So if anything has changed, please let us know and we can arrange for some new photos to be taken.

 

9. Dark Nights:

Please check with us that we have the correct arrival times and travel directions to your property. As guests will be arriving in the dark throughout Winter, it’s best to ensure we can advise them as much as possible on the easiest and most accessible route. Let us know if your property is in a rural setting, then we can prewarn guests to bring a torch.

**Helpful tip – The nearest petrol station and grocery store is handy for guests to know too, either pre-arrival or in the welcome folder info

 

10. Fireplaces:

We’d recommend you get chimneys swept and any services required in the warmer Summer months when they are not needed. This ensures they’ll be in top condition for your Winter guests wanting to cosy up to the fire! A real fire or wood burning stoves are big selling points for Winter bookings, we recommend a starter pack of kindling and wood for arrival.

**Helpful tip – Guest will need to know where they can stock up and purchase wood supplies during their stay

 


We hope our Winter checklist helps you get your cottage winter-ready. Request your FREE owner pack here or call us on 01947 820949 to get in touch. 

As a holiday letting owner you are responsible for compliance with health & safety laws, regulations and guidance, and for having suitable insurances in place (not Sykes Holiday Cottages or its brands (Sykes)). From time to time, Sykes shares information with you on the topic of health and safety and insurance. When it does so, it is not providing you with advice (legal, financial, tax or otherwise); please seek your own as you see fit. In addition, it is not making any representations or warranties about the information being complete or free from errors or inaccuracies. Sykes shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising under or in connection with your reliance on it.