Edinburgh Self Catering Property Set-up
Preparing a Property for Short Term Letting
Before you consider allowing paying guests to stay at your holiday home/property, there are certain tasks that you must complete.
Insurance for Self Catering Apartment:
Gas Safety
If there is any form of gas in the flat, you will need to provide a Landlord's safety certificate. This certificate can only be provided by a gas registered plumber - and it does need to be updated on an annual basis.
Internet Access (optional but strongly recommended for Self Catering Apartment)
We do reommend getting internet access (of some form) in your self catering property. Internet access comes in various forms. The most common type of access is Wifi. This access is provided in the flat via broadband, and box tha allows the wifi to flow through the property. Please seek advice when setting this up, it is important that if you are using wifi that you have the wifi secured with a password. If you do not know how to set this up, many of the internet providers can provide you with step by step instructions. You can also provide internet with a 'toggle' This popular device is attached to a laptop, and allows access for the laptop to access the internet. It is generally less expensvie than Wfi. As with all technoology, the prices change on a regular basis. This main restriction with the toggle, is that it only allows one computer at a time access the internet, and it also does not work with Iphones and other such devices.
We have noticed that on the longer type lets (where contractors or students are involved), theses guests would not consider renting a property that did not have wifi (or broadband provided).
Electrical Safety
A safety certiciate covering the electrical installation which should be obtained and electrical safety certificate for all portable electrical appliances (PAT) over 12 months old is needed. In Scotland, these certificates need to be renewed once every 3 years.
Marketing
You need to decide how to market your property - commonly done by setting up on websites such as ours. You will need a clear and comprehensive description of the property covering all the rooms, facilities and the location. A short paragraph summarizing the property and highlighting the best features is often required as well. Photographs are needed and the quality of photograps is important as they are what potential guests will see and base their decision upon. We can see that properties with good quality photographs get more enquiries than those with less good photographs. Don't understimate the importance of good photos - this is what sells your property. While you may want to save money by not using a professional photographer, you need to ensure that you have taken a photo that show a clean (yes clean) room, well lit, and appealing to your future guests.
Information Packs
An information pack is required to describe how to use the facilities in the property, how to deal with matters such as rubbish disposal, where local facilities are located such as: shops, banks, pharmacy, etc. And you should also note who to call in the event of problems.
TV Licence
All guests will expect a television in the flat. And by law you will need to ensure that you have a valid TV licence for the flat.
Keys
You will need keys for guests and for cleaners and one extra set for yourself just in case you can't locate any other set of keys.
