Location: We find that holidaymakers choose their holiday property for a variety of reasons, from ground floor due to mobility concerns to a modern property with an open plan kitchen/diner for family togetherness – whatever your property we are sure it will suit, one size does not fit all!

Close to amenities: being within walking distance of a local shop, pub, restaurant or bus stop is always popular, however some people prefer being rural and the peace and quiet

What happens to my personal belongings: we would not want anything to happen to your own belongings therefore we recommend storing anything of value in a locked cupboard/room or removing them completely, also holidaymakers like the property to feel less like someone’s family home…

What about cleaning: We can manage the linen and towel/cleaning for you as we work with lots of local companies

What happens if something breaks: again we can get this repaired for you by our maintenance team

Are there restrictions on our personal use of the property?: None at all…  We firmly believe that, first and foremost, it is your property and you should be free to use it as much or as little as you wish. There is no charge for any aspect of  using your own property be it booking or arranging cleaning/linen…  all we ask is that you let us know when you will be using the property and respect any bookings we have taken.

Will my House Insurance cover holiday letting?: Probably not but it normally doesn’t cost too much extra to incorporate this. You will need to check with your insurers. We also require that you have at least £5,000,000 public liability within your insurance in case guests or cleaners have an accident whilst at your property.

Will it be financially rewarding?: Most owners choose to let their property to help with purchase or running costs.  It is always nice visiting your property when you know it is paying for itself!  In our experience, quality properties command a premium price and yes, letting your property will help greatly in giving you a good return on your investment.  We will be delighted to visit your cottage with no obligation on your behalf and give an assessment on its letting potential and our opinions on the rates achievable.

Tax: Understanding the legalities involved and knowing what type of holiday let business you qualify as is your first step. If your holiday property is available to guests for short rental periods over 30 weeks or more in a year, it is classified as a business and will need to be registered for business rates. Fortunately, there are tax relief schemes available for properties classed as Furnished Holiday Lets. For more information read our Furnished Holiday Let tax guide or a visit the HMRC HS252 help guide for more information.

Planning permission: You may require planning permission to materially change the use of a property to a commercial holiday let and this will need to be obtained from the local council (NNDC in Cromer) but it’s also worthwhile checking that there are no clauses regarding commercial letting in your lease or conveyancing agreement. For more information contact NNDC - 01263 513811.

Health and safety: In order to make sure your property is suitable as a holiday let, it is advisable to do an overall risk assessment to make sure you have your health and safety regulations covered. By law, you are required to have an annual gas safety check, PAT testing for electronics and a valid fire risk assessment – we can help with these.

Which holiday let properties do not need an EPC?

Some holiday lets won’t need an EPC:

• Holiday accommodation rented out for less than four months each year.
• Accommodation that is let under a ‘licence to occupy’.
• If your property is a listed building and energy efficiency measures may affect its historic value (you should ask for advice from your local council).

What is a licence to occupy?

This simply means the person renting the property has your permission to be there and to use its facilities on a temporary basis. Unlike a tenancy agreement, a licence to occupy also typically means you, the owner are responsible for utility bills.

Do holiday cottages need PAT testing?

The short answer is no, it is currently not a legal requirement. However, we highly recommend all owners to have PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) testing done to ensure the safety of your guests and to avoid any potential legal issues in the future. 

Holiday let rules & regulations

Making sure you understand the relevant holiday let rules and regulations, whilst not exciting is very important. The legislation surrounding holiday lets is there to protect you, your property and your guests. It is essential that you do not overlook your duty of care to your guests and that you comply with the law.

We can assist you in every step of the way with these legislations, but here are a few sources of information that you can use to keep up to date, these include: HMRC renting out your property  GOV.UK renting out your property

To find out more please call 01263 823010 or fill in the contact form.