Self Catering is a very ‘hands on business’. As noted, you have to organise to meet the guest (in some form or fashion) at the apartment – which can be done in a variety of ways. The damages deposit is probably a similarly tricky task. Although it is very common practise to ask for a damages deposit before a guest arrives; there appear to be a minority of guests that are quite hesitant about this process. How do we make this part of the process less painless?

The most popular method of taking the damages deposit is to ask it to be paid in cash on arrival. Of course the first question from the guest is: ‘How do I get it back?’ Many of the guests expect the refund to happen just as they are leaving the flat. Is this practical? Not only does it involve the landlord returning on each guests’ departure, but it also means that if a guest were to ‘hide’ a problem, it is unlikely that it would be spotted on a quick inspection of the property. Making this procedure time consuming and not even cost effective. I had one guest move a picture on the wall. When I noticed that it had been moved, I returned it to its original spot, only to find a large hole in the wall. I would have never spotted this on an inspection with the guests on the day of their departure. So guests that book through me, are told (in advance) that a damages deposit is refunded within 14 days of departure. Although most guests are fine with this condition; there are a small minority that complain, and a handful that will not book. I feel it is worth it, as it has limited my exposure to a financial loss. I was wondering what does everyone else do?

Are there landlords that accept some form of credit card waifer, as is commonly done when you book a hotel room? Are there any other suggestions with regards to damages deposit. Although it seems like a very small part of the whole self catering experience; to me it appears to be one of the more time consuming and controversial issues I have with my guests.

Look forward to hear how everyone else handles this matter.

Ideal properties are existing holiday homes, 2nd homes or “pied a terres”.  Properties in city centres, near tourist attractions, conference venues, universities all have a market for people wanting to stay in self-catering accommodation for short (up to a few months) periods.

Properties let as student accommodation from October to June, can be let as holiday lets in the summer.  Existing properties let as 6 month shorthold assured tenancies can be good holiday lets if they are in a suitable location.

Letting their properties as self-catering properties can be very useful for “accidental landlords” to enable them to generate income from their property whilst retaining control and having access to the property themselves.  For example Joe has a nice flat in central London that he bought about 18 months ago.  He’s furnished it well and doesn’t want to sell it just now, even though he’s just been offered a great new job in Manchester.  Whilst he thought letting the flat in London for 6 months, he was worried about the state it would be in after the let completed and  he wants somewhere to stay when he comes down to London to visit family and friends.  He’s decided to let the flat as a holiday let, so it’s only let for a week or so at a time.  It’s cleaned and checked after every visit, and when he wants to coem to London, he simply books it out for himself.