With a growing number of holidaymakers choosing to take self-catering breaks, the holiday letting sector is a rapidly expanding business area.

The experts at HomeAway.co.uk have the following tips and tricks for owners looking to rent out their holiday home:
 

1. Don’t price yourself out of the market
   Make sure you research the rental price of comparable properties and alternative accommodation in the area.


2. Don’t furnish for you 
   Your property is a business, so keep furnishings simple, avoid clutter and remove personal items. Ensure the property meets health and safety requirements, and consider what practical items guests can expect.


3. Don’t leave bookings to chance
   Having your own website is great, but the competition can be tough. Using a reputable holiday rental website, like HomeAway.co.uk, can be a cost-effective way to get exposure to millions of travellers and manage booking enquiries. Great photos and truthful descriptions are vital, as is correct spelling, grammar and punctuation. Selling the dream is important and photos are a great away of doing this.


4. Don’t scrimp - have a local representative
   If you don’t live nearby, invest in having someone on hand locally who can ‘meet and greet’ your guests. Having someone to deal with problems immediately, such as a cleaner and handyman, can be invaluable.


5. Don’t forget to cover yourself
   Firstly, ensure you are allowed to let your property on a short-term basis and that you understand applicable taxation laws, as you must declare income earned from holiday lets. You also need holiday rental liability insurance and ideally a booking contract to confirm details of the reservation, deposit/refund/cancellation policies and terms and conditions of tenancy.

For more information about renting out your holiday home, visit the HomeAway.co.uk owner resources page.