Bought a new ski property? What next?

 

Renting out your mountain retreat has many benefits, though knowing where to start can be overwhelming. Our aim is to take the hassle out of renting for property owners, so we know exactly what you need to do. So below is a list of the main things you need to consider.

 

Just knowing who and the different types of rental available to owners isn't common knowledge. Rentals work very differently in ski resorts compared to cities.

 

Marketing - there are many platforms out there that new owners can use to attract guests. Though they do present their challenges, mainly that you can’t speak to guests before they book your property which is obviously risky. At Chalet and Apartment Rentals we have a large existing client base and our websites generate a lot of traffic. Our sales team speaks to all of our clients before they book, giving owners extra peace of mind. Also when you take your own bookings you have to manage your guests.

 

Managing the guests - from arranging the linen, to getting the guests in to the property there is a lot to handle. Though the biggest problem for owners managing their own bookings is when issues arise. Managing these difficult situations when you are not in resort is obviously tricky. We are on call 24/7 throughout the winter season so our owners don’t have to worry about crisis management when they aren’t local.

 

Pricing your property correctly is also a big challenge. The rental market is price sensitive and if you are too expensive you simply won’t get any bookings. If you are too cheap you are selling yourself short. Using an experienced local agent with a broad view of the market is a great way to overcome this obstacle.

 

Cleaning and property management - when your guests arrive at their holiday apartment the last thing they want to do is make their bed. The majority of rental properties include linen and towels and guests expect it. Also if you don’t employ a cleaner you have to trust previous guests have left the place ready for your next guests. Many cleaners also offer property management services as well, removing some of the other headaches that come with property ownership.

 

Maintenance - ensuring your property is well maintained will increase your enjoyment of the property. It's always nice to arrive at a property that doesn’t come with a snag list for you to work through when you are supposed to be enjoying your holiday. A lot of our contacts who work as maintenance throughout the winter do building a renovation work throughout the summer.

 

Presenting your property well - having a listing on various platforms isn’t enough. You have to ensure the photos look as good as possible. Most chalet owners aren’t photographers. We offer free Matterport Virtual tours and professional photos to new owners and we are happy to share them with you.

 

Ensuring your property is well equipped - again this is tricky for owners, knowing what to provide for rental guests and ensuring it is in the property is difficult to organise remotely. Having a property manager is a good way to solve this issue.

 

Gathering feedback - this is very important, though unfortunately most guests do not leave feedback once they have left however we have got a few ways to increase feedback.

 

Closing your property down at the end of the season is another thing that can’t be done remotely.