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How to do remote property management for short-term rentals?

How to manage your rental property remotely if you live in a different city or country than your second home? Those who have been in the short-term rental business for a while know that managing a property yourself is a stressful process and includes several tasks. An owner who self-manages their property takes care of listing, pricing, guest communication, cleaning, maintenance and more to keep the bookings flowing. But imagine doing all this remotely, with no one to take care of your property. Thinking about things like security of the property along with managing everything remotely may make it seem like being a long-distance landlord can be more trouble than its worth. But that is not true. You can rent your property living far from it, or even in a different country, very easily and earn carefree income without worrying about any of it. A property manager or a property management can not only help you manage your long-distance rental property but also help you grow your business with time. In our blog, we have listed the top reasons on how a property manager, or a property management company, can be the ultimate answer to all your remote property management needs! Happy.Rentals allows you to manage your rental property remotely (Happy.Rentals’ Property:5033) 1. Security When renting out for the short term, one of the greatest worries is the security of the property. How do you make sure that your precious holiday home is kept in the same condition once a guest stay is over? Well, if you are not there to ensure it yourself, then there is no other way of knowing unless you visit it days or maybe even months later. As a global property management company with a local presence, Happy.Rentals makes sure that your property is checked for damage after a guest stays. Moreover, the company has a damage waiver policy to provide you with complete peace of mind. For more information about our policy, you can reach out to our owner care centre. Property Managers make sure your house is thoroughly inspected 2. Cleaning and Maintenance of the property Apart from normal wear and tear and cleaning after a guest stay, amenities like a garden or private pool demand regular maintenance. This is also important for when you want to come back to your house after a long time; you would certainly not want to clean the entire house as soon as you arrive! To keep your house in great shape as before, having a professional company take care of it is the best way to go. Happy.Rentals provides professional services in collaboration with trusted partners, who can keep your house ready for any season and provide deep spring cleaning before the high season. Our property managers can also undertake chores like checking the heating/cooling equipment, boiler overhaul, getting broken equipment fixed etc. For more information about what our property managers can do for you, fill out this form. Happy.Rentals provides professional service in collaboration with trusted partners 3. Handling crisis on site What will happen if a crisis comes up and you are not there to resolve it immediately? If you plan to manage your holiday rental business remotely, then this will be the most common concern when a guest is staying. The homeowner’s absence during a crisis can lead to unhappy guests, which in turn, can lead to bad reviews and decreasing bookings. But with professionally trained local managers, who are quick to respond to emergencies and can reach the property almost immediately, you do not have to worry about any of it! Moreover, our property managers can attend condominium meetings for the owners and keep you informed about the latest updates. Contact our property manager to help you start renting your holiday home remotely! 4.Taking care of complex bureaucratic process and payments When starting your own holiday rental business, you must familiarise themselves with the laws and policies of renting their property for the short term. In most countries, you would have to pay taxes like the city tax or the tourist tax. If the homeowner fails to pay these taxes on time, there could be high penalties and fines. Plus, in many cases, you would also be required to register the tourist information for every guest who stays at your property. A property management company can do both for you, saving you the time and hassle of bureaucratic processes! With Happy.Rentals, you also get a personal dashboard, where you can check all your taxation details in one go and keep a live track of your finances. Happy.Rentals' homeowner's personal dashboard 5. Getting the maximum out of your property To get the maximum bookings, it is important to advertise your property with multiple online listings, SEO optimisation, international marketing, and attractive property descriptions and photographs. Meanwhile, to minimise vacancies, you also need to manage your booking calendar efficiently across all platforms. With Happy.Rentals, you get all of this done for your property without any effort. You also get the assistance of a professional booking team who manages your booking calendar for you and makes sure that all guests get a 5-star experience every time, so they return to your home for their next stay! Our owner centre can give you more information about the services of our booking team. Contact Happy.Rentals owner care centre. Happy.Rentals provides professional and curated photographs of your holiday home 6. Making the property interiors suitable for renting out A good holiday rental property must be modern, welcoming, and clutter-free so that when guests enter, they can easily navigate the property and enjoy it without hassle. But if you have no idea how to go about making your property rental-friendly, local property managers can advise you on it. For instance, if you have a mountain home, then you might want to look at our property manager’s expert tips for interior and exterior mountain home decor or if you want to make your holiday home more family-friendly then our property managers have some amazing tips for you. However, if you want to specifically know how your home can be best furnished for short-term rentals, then you can book a free consultation with our managers! Our property managers give the best tips to make your home rental-friendly (Happy.Rentals Property:5552) 7. Tailoring your rental amenities and facilities Renting out your property on your own terms and conditions is important to make sure that you avoid any unpleasant surprises when a guest comes for a stay. However, if you want to list your property on multiple websites, which is the best way to attract maximum bookings, then you would have to update your policies and terms and conditions on each platform. With Happy.Rentals, you can tailor the way you want to rent out your home. If you want to prohibit smoking or do not want pets in your property, then those specific details are uploaded on every partner website by Happy.Rentals to make sure that both guests and homeowner expectations are met! Enjoy the freedom to decide whether your holiday home can be pet-friendly or not There are many reasons why you should consider renting your property even though you live far from it. Short-term rentals, especially, can help you maintain your property, gain extra income, increase return on investment without giving up the possibility of using your home whenever you want. Want to start renting your property or have any questions related to long-distance rental property management? Reach out to us! Further helpful information and guides Want to know the benefits of hiring a professional property manager? Want to start renting your property right away? Check out the five easy steps to do it! Want to make your home digital-nomad friendly? Find out the best tips here. Want to invest in short-term rentals? Check out the benefits of buying a second home and renting it.

Add value to your home with these tips to get more bookings!

When you decide to add value to your home to get more bookings, you not only increase your income but also return on investment in the long run. Keeping this in mind, and with years of experience in the holiday rental industry, our team is finally sharing the dos and don’ts of renting out your holiday home for the short term and which amenities you should offer to attract more guests to your holiday home. So, read on and find out the top tips by our seasoned professionals on how to add value to your holiday home and get more bookings! Good Wi-Fi Free Wi-Fi and a strong internet connection throughout your property is the perfect answer to the question: How can I add value to my house quickly? With remote work on the rise and families travelling with increasingly teach-savvy children and teenagers, good internet connection is a must for everyone on vacation. Good Wi-Fi enables guests to easily access their work and is also a blessing for those with young ones who cannot live without their social media. Happy.Rentals property: ID 4550, with Wi-Fi throughout the property Modern holiday homes Modern furnishings are also important. Guests do not want to stay at a home that feels as if someone already lives there. They want to live in a place that feels like an actual holiday home. So, outdated or worn things like carpets and coverings over an old couch should be replaced or removed with sturdy, no-fuss furniture. As part of the modern home improvements, make sure that to have good quality furniture and minimalist interiors to make it spacious and airy. For example, mattresses, and sofa beds especially, must be good quality, as sofa beds can be very uncomfortable. Happy.Rentals’ property: ID 7023, minimalist and airy yet stylish For unique properties like a traditional Karst homestead, you may want to keep its special charm intact, which will appeal to some guests. But even in these cases there are certain mistakes you should not make while furnishing your holiday homes. Our experienced property managers also highly recommend that the owner use their property, if they don’t use it at all, to understand its functionality and make sure that things like the toilet seat, wardrobe doors, kitchen knives, shower lever etc. work properly. The traditional dining room of Happy.Rentals’ Vineyard Homestead Vrtin: Property ID 5215 Make your kitchen the hero of the interior Guests book holiday homes rather than hotels because they want to experience living like a local in a new place. They want a house where they can cook, relax and enjoy themselves as if at home. This means that the kitchen becomes one of the most important amenities to ensure a completely stress-free, self-catering holiday. Pro-Tip: A top tip by experienced property managers is to reinvest the money that you earn through renting in home renovations to make it more appealing. Your home’s kitchen must have all the appliances a guest needs: a proper hob, kettle, coffee machine, toaster, microwave, oven and a fridge with a separate freezer. Also, depending on the maximum number of guests your property can host, the kitchen should have an appropriate number of cutlery and utensils. Happy.Rentals’ property: ID 6231, with dishwasher, microwave and oven Clean and hygienic interiors Maybe most important of all is to ensure that the property is absolutely clean and hygienic, with no cobwebs, no humidity and especially no mold! One should also avoid carpets or dust-creating objects to make cleaning and maintenance of the holiday home easier, particularly in cases where the homeowner lives far away and cannot visit regularly. As well as Happy.Rentals’ property managers inspecting the property for cleanliness and hygiene after every guest stay, our services also include professional cleaning in collaboration with trusted partners. You can reach out to Happy.Rentals’ property managers for more information. Create a welcome book A short-term rental should be a comfortable base where guests can easily navigate both the property and the surrounding area and truly explore it on their own. This can be done at virtually no additional cost by making a Welcome Book which includes useful information regarding the holiday home (where to find the head switch for the electricity, boiler and other important instructions) and the surrounding area. If you do not have a Welcome Book, our property managers can create a personalised Welcome Book for you as part of their services! Happy.Rentals’ welcome book for our guests Private parking Guests coming with their own vehicles want a secure place to park their cars. If you have a detached house or a villa, then offering a private parking lot facility is one of the essential ways to add value to your home. If you have an apartment, then consider offering reserved parking on the complex/condo premises. Open-air lounging or dining An outside area attracts guests instantly: it can be a garden or even a balcony, either is fine as long as the outdoor area has ample space to sit, eat together and spend quality time with loved ones. This addition is especially preferred for homeowners looking to attract more families. Just make sure that the outdoor area has enough seating for the maximum number of guests that your property can accommodate. Happy.Rentals’ property: ID 6012, with terrace with lake view and seatings for alfresco dining Additional tips: based on property location and type How to increase the value of your vacation rental property depending on the location? If your property is a summer destination, it’s good to leave a sun umbrella or beach mats to bring to the beach, and if it is a winter destination, like the Alps, then have a ski boots heater or sledge. You can find the best ways to make your mountain home more attractive right here! What increases house value the most according to your property type? What differentiates villas and independent houses from other kinds of holiday homes are the external spaces, which can be made more attractive by adding outdoor facilities to relax outdoors. For example: badminton or a net for volleyball etc. for groups with children! If you are renting out studios and other types of apartments, then adding cost-effective entertainment amenities is perfect as it will not take up a lot of space and significantly improve the experience of the stay. For example: an inclusive library with books in different languages and genres (detective stories or novels etc.) The welcoming living room of Happy.Rentals property ID 5471, with a small library and reading desk If you want someone experienced to take care of your holiday home renovations and listings, then Happy.Rentals property managers can help you with them all. Reach out directly to our property managers! If you want to know more about the benefits of hiring a property manager? Read about the top 5 benefits of hiring a property manager.

How to make your mountain home cosy and attractive?

While some may prefer the city or lake charm for their holidays, some might just want to take time off and dedicate themselves to their loved ones in a serene and cosy mountain home! But what gives a mountain holiday home that characteristic cosy atmosphere and makes guests want to book it again and again to enjoy their break in nature? There are two main things to be kept in mind whilst decorating your mountain home: First, people like to travel to the mountains to get closer to nature. Second, nature-inspired furnishings and architectural design make a mountain home cosy and attractive, giving it that typically peaceful and natural air. So read on and find some of the best tips to make your mountain home cosy and attractive for all budgets and types of properties! The picture-perfect Chalet Mamouche made of natural materials (Happy.Rentals ID: 5786) What a mountain home should have? Install picture windows: Usually, a home in the mountains will have stunning nature views, and if your property is one of them then you must capture those views by framing them through large picture windows. Installing picture windows in the living area, bedrooms or dining room increases your guests’ connection with the beautiful nature around and also allows in plenty of natural light, elevating the internal atmosphere. Panoramic views captured by the picture windows of Chalet Janluke (Happy.Rentals ID: 2931) Mountain home decor ideas: Once again, it is important to emphasize the connection with nature. But at the same time, it is crucial to make sure that the interior design of your mountain cabin or home is warm and inviting enough for the guests to feel comfortable. For this, you can count on earthy colours like brown, beige and grey or some darker shades like forest green and burgundy to do the job well. These colours can be added using rustic or reclaimed furniture made of natural materials or with small rugs and throws and they add a characteristic charm to the entire space that one expects out of a mountain home. The cosy bedroom of Chalet Glacier with nature-inspired wood and stone interiors (Happy.Rentals ID: 4097) Luxury homes or mountain chalet must-have: If you have a mountain chalet or a luxury mountain home, then adding a stone fireplace is a must! In fact, an ideal living room that makes for a great family space should have large sofas with cosy throws and coffee tables centered around an ambient fireplace! If you want to go all out, then you can also consider faux fur rugs or blankets to elevate the style and plushness of your luxury mountain home or chalet. However, one thing that you should keep in mind while choosing the rugs, coffee tables, sofas, etc. Iis that they should blend into the natural atmosphere of the surrounding mountain landscape and not seem out of place. The exclusive living room of Maison du Roi accentuated by fur rugs (Happy.Rentals ID: 5469) As hinted before, anything that matches the natural and earthy colours or is made of inspiration from natural elements is the way to go when selecting furniture and interiors for your mountain home. Adding a sauna and underfloor heating to your mountain home will leave your guests’ holiday and heart warm. A modern, sauna-equipped holiday home in Livigno (Happy.Rentals ID: 5522) Add vintage-style rustic or alpine features: This tip will come in handy if you are renovating or building a new mountain home. Keeping things modern with a traditional style makes sure that your home caters to guests of all ages. So, while you can keep the furniture modern and a neutral colour palette with warm lighting, adding features like exposed beams and stone tabletops will bring the traditional mountain mood to the setting. A combination of modern and traditional interiors in bathroom (Happy.Rentals ID: 4312) Mountain home must-haves for extra comfort and warmth: Who does not love to come back to a home where they can warm themselves up and curl up with loved ones after a day out on the slopes? There are little things or gestures that you can do for your guests, which will make your holiday home stand apart and become a favourite among travellers. Keeping tea bags, hot water bottles, a hairdryer, one-time-use slippers, offering ski storage (especially if your property is in popular ski areas like Mont Blanc, Livigno etc.) and scented candles, all add comfort to the guests’ stay. Bonus Tip: For scented candles, you can go with fragrances that have a natural musk like pine, woodsmoke or mountain dew/air. Interiors of Chalet Mamouche elevated with candles on the bedhead (Happy.Rentals ID:5786) Make use of outdoor space: If you have the desirable amenity of a private garden, patio or balcony, then ensure that you equip them with open-air seating. In the mountains, travellers seek to have maximum time out in nature. Keeping an open space that is ready to lead them to relaxation in the soothing mountain air is one of the easiest ways to make your mountain house attractive! Another thing that can be added is a screened-in porch area, which is an outdoor area covered with glass walls on all sides and allows your guests to always stay in contact with nature. You can add sofa beds and easy chairs to your screen-in porch for added comfort and create extra space for guests to relax or even sleep in. Equip your exteriors with open-air seating like in Sunny Weekend Sauna House (Happy.Rentals ID: 4537) Add local charm and character to your mountain home: If you want to give your mountain home a traditional character that resonates with the history and art of the region, then you can consider adding statement antique pieces and works from regional artists. Adding distinct features like these would certainly make your house one of those “unique” mountains stay that will make your property stand out among others and would even create a list of regular guests who would want to keep coming back to your home and enjoy the uniqueness that your property offers! Looking for more ideas for your holiday rental properties? Check out our easy-to-follow tips below! How to make your holiday home digital nomad friendly? How to make your home pet-friendly? How to make your holiday home family-friendly? How to make your holiday home eco-friendly? Our ultimate holiday home amenities checklist! Top Holiday Home amenities searched by guests

Top 5 Benefits of Having a Property Manager

A second home is precious to their homeowners for many reasons: it may be a part of their inheritance, their holiday home or even a stable source of income. But when it comes to renting out a second home, one has to admit that it comes with several time-consuming tasks. Maintenance, finding quality guests, rent collection, legal formalities, optimising rental income…all of these might as well be a full-time job for a homeowner! But this is where a property manager comes in handy.Entrusting your second home to a property manager means putting it under professional careSo read on as we list the top 5 benefits of having a property manager for your second home!1. Ease of mind and safetyThe number one concern of any homeowner is the safety of the property. Whether it is to rent out or just handing over their second home for management, safety is undeniably the biggest reason why homeowners remain apprehensive of entrusting their beloved home to someone other than themselves. But a property manager comes with a lot of experience in the industry, along with the right professional tools and even a full property management and rental service company. They are, therefore, able to ensure the total safety of your property with pre-assured benefits like professional contracts, damage insurance, tenant screening at the time of booking and property inspection!2. Maximising rental income potential Since a property manager is attuned to the needs of not only the homeowners but also the guests, they can make invaluable recommendations. From advising on the ideal furnishings to desirable amenities that the guests look for in a holiday rental, a property manager is skilled to unlock the full income earning potential of your property whether it's a villa or a cosy studio! Moreover, with a professional company behind them, the property managers also have all the necessary marketing tools to advertise your property and maximise its booking potential. So, instead of listing your property on a few popular websites, property managers can actually enlist your second home with professional descriptions and photos on multiple international websites and also handle bookings that come in from any of them. In fact, multiple property listing is one of the main differences between online travel portals like Airbnb and property management companies like Happy.Rentals!Happy.Rentals lists your properties on multiple international holiday rental and travel websitesOnce a long, trusting relationship is established between the manager and the homeowner, the property manager can even help you increase your holiday rental business by advising on important aspects such as property investment and optimal rental pricing based on seasonality. 3. Crisis Management It can be tough to find guests for holiday rentals all on your own and even tougher to manage the emergencies that might arise during their stay at your home. A property manager is always available locally to take care of everything and to resolve crises as and when they arise. On the other hand, a homeowner might not always be available to take care of a situation in which, for example, the air-conditioning has stopped working during a guest’s stay. However, since a property manager is always around to ensure excellent service, they can solve everything right away!4. Rental Fee Collection and other formalitiesCollecting the rental fee can be daunting, especially if you have had a tenant with bad payment history. In such cases, the whole experience of holiday rentals can feel more like a nightmare than a dream of earning a carefree income. Hiring a property manager with a good property management company behind them removes the hassle of rent collection. With companies like Happy.Rentals, that come with a dedicated owner care centre, an organised rent collection system and a personal dashboard for the homeowners, you don’t have to worry either about collecting rent from the guests or getting paid out. For complicated bureaucratic formalities like fulfilling holiday rentals laws and tax filing (all of which may differ from country to country and city to city), property managers can also take care of these legal responsibilities effortlessly. This is because, being an active part of the industry, they are already aware of all holiday letting rules and regulations!5. Enjoy your property whenever you wantSometimes, a homeowner might have inherited a property, but they don’t live in it, and they don’t want to sell it either because they have a lot of affection for it. In that case, a property manager can ensure that whenever the homeowner returns to the property, it feels “alive”!By renting out your property to good tenants and providing services like professional cleaning and maintenance, a property manager helps keep your precious home in great shape so that when you decide to visit it with family and friends or even alone, you are welcomed in your home’s familiar and warm embrace.Property Management is a full-fledged job with a wide range of tasks undertaken by the manager!Still looking for reasons to hire a property manager? Visit our website and book a free consultation with one of our experienced property managers!

Our Most Profitable Holiday Rental Locations in Europe

A lot of factors in the recent past have led to a boom in the vacation rental market. From the post-pandemic travel trends to the surge of digital nomadism and domestic travel, everything has contributed significantly to its rise. This is not surprising though given that renting out property is a preferred income option for many and vacation rentals provide safety, flexibility and privacy. But as a potential homeowner or even an experienced one, how can you decide the most profitable location for your vacation rental business or second home? Our most profitable holiday rental locations in EuropeTwo major factors affect the profitability of the vacation rental business: seasonality and vacation rental occupancy. Seasonality means the high and low seasons of a business, meanwhile, vacation rental occupancy determines the overall bookings of your property. Therefore, places that have low or no seasonality and high occupancy rates are some of the most profitable locations to own holiday homes as they enjoy maximum booking potential. According to our recent booking trends, Spain, Italy, France and Croatia have turned out to be some of the best countries to have a holiday home in Europe post-COVID. But to give you a fair idea of the best locations in these countries, we have rounded up the list of our top 5 locations that have exceeded expectations and led to more bookings than ever! So, read on and find out our most profitable locations to own a holiday home in Europe!1. Chamonix, FranceThe year-round destination of Chamonix tops our list with the maximum number of bookings. The area is a favourite amongst French and English travellers, with high occupancy of our vacation rentals throughout the year. This is indeed one of the strongest points of Chamonix, along with its family-friendly amenities and attractions that make it a total winner. However, it is not just Chamonix that enjoys worldwide popularity and tourism but rather the whole Pays du Mont Blanc area including Megève, where we now have our local office to help you start earning carefree rental income in this world-famous ski resort!2. Lugano, SwitzerlandOne of the sunniest areas of Switzerland also has one of the best Alpine tourist destinations. With year-round bookings and diverse tourism, the millennial city of Lugano has gained the second highest booking ranking in our property portfolio.The iconic filigree gate of Parco Ciani in Lugano, our second-most booked areaIn addition to the main city, small picturesque villages like Bissone, Melide and Morcote are also gaining traction among vacationers making them upcoming profitable locations to buy a holiday rental property. These areas are becoming especially popular as digital nomads are now looking for longer, more affordable stays and therefore are more inclined to opt for these small towns to enjoy life near the lake. 3. Marbella, SpainThe land of the sun, sand and the Mediterranean sea comes third on our list. With year-round travellers coming in to enjoy the spirit of Spain, Marbella has become one of the best locations to buy a holiday home and rent it out for a stable side income. The nearby towns of Estepona, Benahavís, and Fuengirola are also great options as they are not far from Marbella’s glamour and provide comparatively affordable properties to buy with equal earning potential.In fact, the whole Costa del Sol region has become particularly attractive for nomadic travellers who seek healthcare, golfing, fun and the modern tourist infrastructure, all of which this part of Spain has!4. Sardinia, Italy Sardinia has long been the playground of VIPs and a favourite amongst international travellers, making the Emerald Coast our fourth most booked region! However, Sardinia’s policy that prohibits construction within 2 kilometres of the coast has opened up a bigger vacation rental market than ever on this famous Italian island. Beach or inland stays: Sardinia is a holiday rental location that enjoys occupancy everywhereNow, it is not only the beach rentals but holiday homes in smaller and remote villages of Sardinia that have good profitability. For an authentic experience of the local life too, many travellers are opting for stays away from the coast, thus providing a great opportunity for second homeowners everywhere in Sardinia to start earning a carefree rental income. 5. Croatia The last on the list is Croatia, or what we call a bonus vacation rental market area. With places like Split and Dubrovnik calling out to Games of Thrones fans and driving in more international tourism, Croatia is one of the most attractive alternative markets that share the same earning potential as the previously mentioned holiday destinations.Plus, with Croatia’s digital nomad policies making it super easy for people to stay in the country and enjoy its many hidden treasures, letting out a holiday home is sure to bring the desired extra income. What’s more, with one of our newest partner offices in Rijeka, you will have assured ease of mind, maximum exposure for your property and our local property managers to unlock its full potential!The stunning Zlatni Rat, located close to our diverse holiday rentals in BolToday the holiday rental market meets all kinds of traveller demands, with short-term rentals proving to be a particularly profitable and flexible market after the pandemic. So, if you are a homeowner who already has a second home in these locations and wants to start earning carefree rental income, then now is the time! You can let out your first, second or even your tenth holiday home using our professional vacation rental management services.Enjoy renting out with no set-up costs, listing on 3000+ partners and websites, cleaning and maintenance, 24/7 crisis management and more. For further information, register now or reach out to our local property managers.

The ultimate checklist for your holiday home

If you are renting your vacation home you want to make sure your guests have a comfortable and safe vacation. Plus if you've started renting recently, you'll need to have a list handy to consult and figure out what equipment to invest in, and if you're a more experienced host you'll still want to have one to double-check.So read on to find our list of recommended safety equipment and other essential amenities for your vacation rental!Equipment to have for safety reasons1. Carbon monoxide and smoke detectorIn case your property has heat sources that produce carbon monoxide or smoke such as boilers, stoves, fireplaces, etc. a detector is practically a must, plus it is not an exorbitant investment at all. Where: The detector should be installed high up in the boiler or water heater room as well as in the kitchen.2. Fire extinguisherThe fire extinguisher would seem to be an accessory that is not thought of in the short term. But, installing one in your vacation home will make your guests feel safe, and again, this too is not an expensive investment either for the overall safety of your home as well as the guests. Where: It should be installed on the wall, 1.1 metres or 1.5 metres above the ground, in visible and easily accessible places, such as near exits.3. First aid kit Another accessory that your guests are sure to appreciate is the first aid kit which can be easily found in several online shops. It is usually contained in a box, which by the way can be easily customised.Where: We recommend placing it in a common place such as the bathroom or kitchen. 4. Emergency lightYou never know when a sudden power outage, due to a summer storm or snowstorm, can happen on vacation. Since we do not want to leave our guests in the dark, it is a good idea to equip ourselves with one or more emergency lights.5. Self check-in box or spare keys.One of the most useful purchases for both you and your guests is a safe deposit box with spare keys installed near your front door. The equipment is ideal for self-check-ins or in case your guests accidentally lock themselves out of the house. Tip: You can easily order one for your home through our property managers, check if they are in your area.6. Universal adapterA much appreciated courtesy, especially for less organised guests, is a universal adapter for electrical outlets. This accessory is also useful for protecting your electrical system from sockets with higher voltages. A first aid kit in plain sight will surely be appreciated by your guests Personal hygiene supplies to keep in your vacation home7. Courtesy kitIf you rely on our property managers, the courtesy kit is taken care of by us at Happy.Rentals. It is indeed a much-appreciated detail to add to your home along with feminine pads.8. Toilet bags for tamponsProviding sanitary bags for tampons in each bathroom will undoubtedly be helpful in letting your guests know that you don't want tampons flushed down the drain. This way you can avoid common plumbing problems and also be environmentally friendly. 9. Water-repellent stain-resistant mattress coverNecessary to protect your mattress especially when you have families with young children as guests. 10. Vacuum CleanerPerhaps not yet well known, but a vacuum cleaner is a necessary accessory to get rid of dust and germs not only from your mattress but also from armchairs, sofas and other upholstered furniture. There are various models, from those that suck up dust to the ones that sanitise with UV light. Believe us, your guests will really thank you, especially those allergic to dust!Tip: If your home is pet-friendly, antibacterial mattress cleaner is highly recommended to thoroughly clean your home. 11. Hair dryerYou don't always have enough space in your suitcase to bring your own hair dryer. Therefore having your guests find one is always a much-appreciated courtesy.Tip: Invest a little extra to buy one with at least 2,000 watts to make your guests' stay even more convenient and comfortable. A mattress vacuum cleaner is a must-have if your vacation rental is pet-friendlySupplies needed for a vacation rental kitchen12. Set of cutlery and crockeryA must in the supply needed in a vacation home if you want your guests to be able to eat their meals in the comfort of the holiday home. Don't forget to have the right amount of cutlery and crockery based on the number of guests your rental can accommodate.13. An electric kettlePopular with northern European tourists, the electric kettle is very useful for making tea and herbal teas on the go and also for heating baby food faster.14. Coffee machine with capsulesNot all tourists use the mocha, so a coffee maker will be very welcome, especially by those who like to keep awake till late hours.Tip: Why not have chocolates and various snacks along with the coffee maker and its pods? It will surely be a pleasant surprise for your guests! Leaving cool bottles of water in the fridge will also be appreciated especially in summer destinations.15. One or more tableclothsIf you want to protect your precious wooden or glass tables, don't forget about tablecloths or waxed placemats to leave in plain sight for your guests. Using tablecloths is also more hygienic than eating directly on the table. 16. Microwave OvenWe don't need to explain the usefulness of the microwave oven; it is ideal for guests who are always in a hurry or those who are unfamiliar with cooking. Again, guests with toddlers will appreciate the usefulness of this tool for easily reheating their food. Other accessories to keep in the kitchen to ensure your guests stay in total comfort: juicers, colanders, bins with recycling bags, kitchen knives, cleaning accessories (such as our kitchen kit), condiments and spices, preferably in single-serving portions for hygienic reasons.An equipped kitchen to cook effortless meals in the holiday home (Ref. Prop. ID 5471)Bonus accessories to keep in a vacation home17. Welcome bookThe welcome book is used to explain to your guests the most important things to know about the house and their stay such as how the wi-fi works and the appliances in the house as well as personal recommendations to make their vacation memorable.Tip: Use simple language, separate paragraphs, bulleted lists and pictures for an easily understandable welcome book.18. Travel guideIf your guests have not yet organised tours and visits, a travel guide with places of interest could be very useful. Tips on typical places to eat will also be appreciated to avoid so-called tourist traps.19. Luggage scalesWho hasn't been terrified that after holiday shopping their suitcase has become too heavy to take back home? Keeping a luggage scale will ensure that your guests leave with a lighter heart. 20. ChargerA cell phone charger is certainly appreciated by guests coming from a long trip or those who easily forget these last-minute checklist items.21. IronAn iron can be very useful for guests who have rented your vacation rental for business purposes or to celebrate an occasion such as a wedding.22. SafeAlthough we know you will do everything to make sure your home is safe, adding a safe will give your guests the assurance that their most precious possessions are secure. 23. Mosquito netsWhether you have a house by the sea or a chalet in the mountains, it's always best to prevent your guests from being tortured by mosquitoes. A customised welcome book by Happy.Rentals Follow our suggestions and give your guests an unforgettable vacation! You'll see that by vacationing in a holiday home with the much-desired comforts, they will definitely come back!Not yet a host but would like to become one? Start renting with us in 5 easy steps!Discover our services for managing and renting out your property!

Top 5 Holiday Rental Amenities Searched by Guests

No matter if you are a new homeowner who is just starting to rent out or an experienced one, it is always beneficial to keep up with the latest trends in the holiday rental market. Many homeowners seek to attract particular kinds of guests depending on the property they have. The trendy amenities are for the young traveller; the more sophisticated ones are for an elite traveller; whereas child and pet-friendly amenities are offered by those who want families to enjoy a stay in their vacation home.In any case, it is always a good idea to keep the top searches made by guests on your holiday rental amenities checklist.Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)1. High-Speed Wi-Fi Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)Besides, the post-pandemic traveller is increasingly looking for two very specific kinds of experiences: one where they want to go for a workcation and the other where they want to go completely off the grid. So unless your holiday home offers the latter experience, good Wi-Fi is a must! Especially for families with children, this amenity is a total hit as the younger generation is more tech-savvy. Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)2. Well-equipped Kitchen Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)Enchanted Home (ID 4069) in Lugano featuring an elegant, fully-equipped kitchenYou certainly do not want guests going through the hassle of running out last minute to the grocery store or restaurants just because the kitchen lacks basic amenities to prepare a full meal! If this happens, there is a high chance that the guests may not leave a very favourable review for your property!Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)Tip: Here you can find more ideas on how to furnish your holiday home to make it more guest-friendly!Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)4. Extra facilities like a Hot Tub or Swimming PoolOpen-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)Open-air dining under the soothing shade of trees, Villa Kirke, Crete (ID 5584)

Happy.Rentals and Airbnb: is there a difference?

In a world where holiday rentals are becoming increasingly popular, more and more people are opting for vacation rental websites when it comes to planning a holiday or renting out their home. And why not, in a post-pandemic context holiday rentals have proved to provide safety and privacy on holidays as well as a lucrative income and a popular investment option for many.But not all vacation rental websites are the same even though they work with short-term rental properties! As a matter of fact, being in the short-term rental business ourselves, Happy.Rentals has often been confused with Airbnb. It is easy to see why. You can find and book all our incredible holiday homes on our website as well as Airbnb. But Happy.Rentals is more than just an online platform, rather we are holiday rental specialists! So read on and find out what makes us different from other vacation rental websites like Airbnb!We provide full property management services and a marketplace! To understand what holiday rental specialists like us do that Airbnb does not, one needs to know - how does Airbnb work? Airbnb provides an online marketplace for holiday rentals, where homeowners (Airbnb hosts) list properties for free and guests come to find the perfect holiday rental. In essence, Airbnb experiences are only related to offering a marketplace. But as holiday rental specialists, Happy.Rentals provides 360-degree professional property management and holiday rental services from start to end!For the owners, our presence means that we make the entire process of renting out effortless and stress-free: from listing and advertising to property maintenance and guest management, we do it all as a proper property management company. As for our guests, our multilingual booking team provides them with assistance at each step and also helps them find the perfect holiday home for vacations with family or friends! Each of our holiday homes is professionally prepared for renting. Our dedicated team undertakes the entire rental-related process: from listing and booking of homes to hassle-free arrival and departure of guests, everything is done professionally for each of our properties.To put your property at an advantage on all travel marketplaces, we customize each listing with professional photographs and descriptions that highlight the unique selling points of your precious home. Our team also makes sure that when guests arrive, the holiday homes are immaculately curated and clean to welcome them in. And when they leave, the homes are once again made spotless by our partner cleaning companies. However, having property managers is perhaps what sets us apart from Airbnb the most. Our property managers are always there for you to assist in managing and renting out your holiday home or enjoying a hassle-free vacation across our holiday destinations. We advertise your property online and offline!When your property is listed on a single website like Airbnb, it automatically reduces the total number of potential bookings. But when we list your property, we make sure that it is listed on more than 3000+ international and local travel agents, partners, and websites, including Airbnb and its competitors. In fact, we turn all other travel websites and portals into a complimentary marketplace for you, and also do offline advertising to give your home maximum exposure and the best possibility to be booked!Guests also get better prices if they book directly with us, and the homeowners enjoy special prices, too, when they book other holiday homes with us in any of our wonderful locations.Our fabulous Europe-wide locationsWe truly believe that holiday rentals should provide as effortless an experience as any other travel accommodation for both the guests and owners. So, what are you waiting for? Discover our full services for homeowners and the best holiday homes for an unforgettable vacation in Europe!

Why Holiday Rental Properties are a Good Investment

Have you ever fallen in love with a place and dreamt of owning a house there? Well, there are ways to make this dream a reality and to make it work for you financially too…As the world starts slowly to return to normal, with travel restrictions lifted, holiday rentals are booming. After nearly two years of lockdown, people want to go on holiday and the privacy offered by a rental property is an attractive option. No crowded hotel lobby, no busy restaurants, just your own space with your own family or friends. There has never been a better time to buy property for a holiday home – both for yourself and as a safe investment.All the research indicates that the short-term holiday rental market is only going to grow, especially for domestic travellers. People are interested in taking short breaks all year round, as well as the more traditional longer annual holiday. This is perfect for short-term holiday rentals, giving property owners rental income 12 months/year, not just during the high season months. A safe investment with benefits When you buy a second property there are three options – either move in and live there as a principal residence; rent out the property as a long-term rental and severely limit your access to it; or rent it out for holiday or short-term rental. This third option gives you maximum flexibility and often higher financial returns. If you rent out a property as a holiday let, then you have the option to use it as and when you want. Then, when you do not want to be there, you can rent it out and the property is earning money for you and covering its costs. It is a win/win situation! You might even have a property nearer to where you live, which could be transformed into the perfect holiday destination. Whether it is a flat, a barn, or an outbuilding with potential, there are many properties which can be converted into wonderful holiday rentals, and which can be transformed from a liability into a source of revenue. So it might be worth looking into the numbers for transforming your empty space into a beautiful rental property. Given the current holiday rentals market it is money well spent. With interest rates so low, savings accounts are not as attractive as they once were. If you invest your capital in property, not only is the value of your property increasing, you are also earning an income from the rental. Your property is actually paying for itself! Plus you have a holiday home in your favourite location, where you can stay whenever you want, without worrying how to cover the expenses.Managing your holiday rental propertyIt can be difficult looking after a second home, especially in another country. Here is where Happy.Rentals can help you to manage your property, taking care of marketing, bookings and billing. We have our local teams in more than 15 offices in 8 countries across Europe, so we can take the stress out of managing your property. Where we don’t have our offices, we have our recruiters who can help you rent your property effortlessly. So contact our representative in your area or email our Owner Center at owners@happy.rentals and then sit back and enjoy the returns on your investment.

Become a Happy.Rentals Partner

Are you interested in setting up your own holiday rental business in your area? Would you like long term support right from the start? Why not work with us as a Happy.Rentals Partner?Over the past 15 years Happy.Rentals has become one of the world’s leading property management companies. From our head office in Lugano we have expanded, opening 18 offices in 8 European countries – Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece and Belgium. We are sure that our excellent relationships with our Happy.Rentals Partners have contributed to our success over the years. With them, we successfully rent out properties across Europe - from the well known cosmopolitan tourist hotspots to more remote, rural locations, all year round. We work with a wide variety of holiday homes in over 50 destinations and help tourists from all over the world find their ideal holiday rental. So, why should you start your own property management business? Well, if you have a passion for hospitality and tourism, then short-term holiday rentals is one of the most stable forms of real estate businesses, and it is increasing in popularity.But then why should you start your business with us? We are a 360-degree property management and rental company. We take care of all the marketing and promotion of your properties. Our experienced photographers will shoot your properties, and make sure they look their best. Then our team will look after your bookings, payments and contracts, leaving you free to concentrate on finding new properties, welcoming guests when they arrive and building your very own solid network of homeowners and clients.When you start your journey with us, you will notice the benefits immediately…We train our partners to become successful property managers in their area. We help you to set up your property management business and collaborate with you to find guests for short-term holiday rentals. We are there for you for the long haul, offering support and the benefits of our many years of experience.From the very start, we ensure that you have the necessary tools at your disposal to easily and professionally recruit and manage numerous homes simultaneously and create your own profitable business. When you become a Happy.Rentals partner, we provide you with:Access to our property management system Offline marketing materials such as brochures, flyers and more Total marketing support, with maximum visibility through property listings on international travel portals, accompanied by professional photos and descriptions Guest support through our multilingual team and bookings done through fully automated systemsOwner support through our professional owner centrePayment processing through a facilitated invoicing system Professional Contracts for property management with homeownersIf you choose to open a franchise, we will also assist you in establishing a solid foundation and network of homeowners and guests through in-person training. Our professionals visit your area and assist you with your first appointments. In the long term, we make sure that we help you in whatever way possible and whenever we can!So, are you ready to join us and we can grow together? Or do you know someone else who might be? Reach out to us anytime at development@happy.rentals or any of our official social media pages: LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

We are now Happy.Rentals!

As we enter a new year, we are very excited to announce that Happy Holiday Homes is now Happy.Rentals!Although many of you might have already seen the big news, we want to share with you the story behind our rebranding after 14 successful years.Our HistoryIn 2008, when Happy Holiday Homes started in the famous Lake Como area, there was no property management company in this area that could provide full holiday rental services. However, once we started, it became clear that the vision of our founder and CEO Harold Lubberdink, a holiday homeowner himself, was accurate and the interest in our services grew rapidly. We started with Lake Como, then Livigno and eventually expanded our horizons by opening 15+ local offices in diverse locations across Europe. Today, we are proud to be one of the Top 50 Property Management and Rental Companies in the World!As our CEO experienced: “There are many homes that could be rented, but the owners do not have the time to manage them. In many cases, they also do not speak the language or live far away. From our experience we know that when an owner comes after a couple of months for a well deserved holiday in their home, the property is empty, cold and needs tender love and care to be enjoyed again.” Happy Holiday Homes started doing exactly this for the owner by making sure the property is nice, warm and well prepared for them to enjoy and that it is rented and occupied by guests when the owner is absent.“We call this ‘warming cold beds’ . The communes are very happy with this concept because the area where the home is located also benefits as it creates business, properties are lived in, and shutters are open. I came up with the name Happy Holiday Homes: it is a bit cheesy to be honest, but it is full of responsibility because making an owner happy and the guests happy is a great challenge and a target that we have always strived to reach.”Why the change?In the later years of our operations, we expanded into other countries and created the brands Happy.Services and Swiss Property Solutions for our property management services. Then in the last year, we made some big leaps and changes. We started operations in 4 more countries, adding hundreds of properties to our selection, various other stakeholders to our network and increasing our reach to a total of 8 countries: Switzerland, Italy, France, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Greece and Belgium. We also added another feature and brought in recruiters to offer rental services in areas where we don't have local property managers. “The pandemic did not help for sure in the beginning, and 2020 was a chaotic and difficult year, but we saw a big rebounce already in 2021 and are looking at 2022 with a lot of optimism. More and more guests are now preferring private homes, meanwhile owners are understanding the need to occupy these homes instead of leaving them empty” -HaroldAll this led to a wider scope of our services and an unprecedented growth of our business relationships. We also noticed that the presence of different brand names and logos meant confusion for our homeowners, partners and guests. So, we finally decided to rebrand ourselves as a single company with a uniform name including all our services!What does this change mean to you?This change means a seamless experience for you and a uniform identity that would be noticed in our new logo and website!Our new logoThe Happy.Rentals’ logo was fashioned keeping in mind our core business values. We truly believe that it is our job to make everyone associated with us happy and satisfied to have chosen us. Our logo now has a vibrant orange smile connecting to a bright orange holiday home. After all, we always strive to make our customers happy!But apart from these changes, you have nothing to worry about. We are keeping the same professionalism in all our services to you, the same start-to-end support for an effortless holiday experience and property management as well as the same marketing strategies to keep your holiday homes booked throughout the year.As we transition from Happy Holiday Homes to Happy.Rentals, all your prior business relationships and holiday bookings with us will remain unaffected, legally or otherwise. “The company is still the same, we just put a new jacket on! It is our target that guests will take Happy.Rentals as their reference to book private properties in the future and we will do all we can to make this happen.” -HaroldFor further queries please feel free to reach out to us anytime! If you would like to get the latest news from Happy.Rentals then you can subscribe to our newsletter.Or you can also follow us on our official Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn page for our newest properties additions, travel blogs and all information related to property management!

How to rent your second home in 5 easy steps?

If you are reading this blog post, then chances are you already know the perks of renting out your property for the short term. If not, then we will quickly lay them out for you. When you rent out for the short term, the benefits are multiple: You generate extra rental income; Start unlocking the full potential of your property; Increase the value of your property in the long run Start gaining profit and even covering expenses like mortgage; Keep your property in top shape even if you don’t use it because you live far away.And most of all, you enjoy the flexibility of using your property whenever you want. However, managing short-term rentals can be time-consuming and challenging, especially if you live far away. There are many things to be looked after-- cleaning, guest bookings, check-ins, rental payments, and local tax regulations; and that is just the start. If we combine all these short-term rental-related chores, then it can easily become a full-time job, leaving you with no time to do anything else. And that's where we come in! As holiday rental specialists, Happy.Rentals takes care of each and everything when renting out for the short term. Just imagine, your property is not only in good care but also efficiently rented out and ready to welcome you back whenever you need it. Let us show you how working with a professional rental management company like Happy.Rentals can help you to achieve total peace of mind in just 5 steps. 1. Getting started Our property managers are local experts who know your region’s short-term rental market the best and are a primary point of contact with the guests. You can start by contacting our property managers who will happily answer all your questions without any consultation costs. Here’s how you can do it. Visit our website: Discover how your second home can work for you and explore the full range of our services. Book a free consultation: Register online and our team will guide you step by step through the entire rental process. How to register? Fill out this form or call us. For example, you’d like to rent your second home in Sardinia? You can just have a look at “Sardinia” in the right column and find all the contact details of our property managers based on location. Fill out the form and we will get in touch with you Social media: Prefer social channels? Check out our Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn and send us a message. Whatever method suits you best, we’re here to help you get started! 2. Schedule an On-Site Visit Once you have contacted us, we will arrange a visit by one of our local property managers or recruiters. What happens during the visit? They’ll inspect your property and offer tailored advice to maximise its appeal to vacationers. From highlighting unique features to suggesting simple upgrades and increasing guest accessibility to your home, our experts help position your home as a top rental choice in the area. Our property managers are full of ideas on how to furnish your vacation home to maximize your rental income. They can offer tips such as how to make your home welcoming to families, how to have a pet-friendly holiday home and how to attract remote workers and digital nomads. Quick Tip: Pet-friendly homes tend to attract more bookings—consider welcoming furry guests for higher occupancy rates! 3. Finalise the prices and the booking calendar Once our holiday rental specialist has met you and seen your property, they work with you to finalise the right rental price for the home. When you rent out your second home there are two key points that we bear in mind. First, the property should be available when you want to relax with family and friends, and second, it should generate a good rental income. Our live booking calendar feature ensures that you can book your holiday when it suits you. 4. Create a Standout Listing Once your property is ready, our team takes over to ensure it shines online. Your property on more than 3000 online travel websites and portals With our services, you can list your property on more than 3000 vacation rental platforms with virtually no start-up cost. We take care of all initial marketing setup for your property and only charge you a marketing fee after we have successfully rented out your vacation home for more than 8 weeks! So, there are really no costs associated with starting short-term rentals until you start earning. 5. Final checks and activation for booking The professional photographs have been taken; the prices have been agreed; the calendar has been updated, and the description is ready. At this point, our expert team, together with you and if you wish to, makes the final checks of the property descriptions and amenities before making it active on online travel portals and international websites. Once everything is set, our bookings team takes care of enquiries and reservations, and you can start enjoying the benefits of renting out your property. We understand that you may have concerns when you think about a short-term rental for your precious second home. Partnering with a property management company can simplify the process, ensuring your property is looked after, efficiently rented out and available to welcome you back whenever you need it. So, sit back and relax as we bring out the best of your holiday home. Get in touch with us and schedule an On-Site Visit with our Specialists now!

Holiday Homes: Mistakes you should not make while furnishing

When it comes to holiday homes, the main goal is to make them as attractive as possible on the market so that guests, throughout the year, always occupy them. But how do you make a property unique enough to leave a lasting memory on those who stay there? Doing this is all the more crucial since a good impression is a dominant factor in the guests’ return to that house.When entering a holiday home, the guests must be left speechless and nothing should disappoint their expectations. It is important to create a familiar space, an atmosphere where guests feel at home, but, at the same time, far from the routine to which they are accustomed. After all, they are on vacation!However, you don't need experts or expensive solutions to lend a cosy atmosphere to your holiday home. A few simple tricks are all it needs. So, let us see some of them!The first thing to avoid is furnishing your property in an impersonal way, using unoriginal elements and accessories that will not capture the interest of the guests. The risk is that the house is just one another among many other homes: beautiful, yes, but with no personality.Instead of using furniture and decorations found everywhere, opting for custom furnishings is key to winning a returning guest. That is, of course, without overdoing it. Start by furnishing your holiday home with elements reminiscent of the land in which it is located. Paint the walls with particular shades and colours that evoke certain feelings and opt for decoration with unique ornamental pieces or discovered treasures that are impossible to find in large retailers' shops. In other terms, avoid paintings or canvases that can be found almost everywhere, such as the ones that often depict world-famous attractions. Prefer particular but simple ones that tell a special story to the potential guests of your house. Another mistake you should not make is leaving personal accessories — such as photographs — on the house’s walls or the furniture. Personalising your holiday home does not mean leaving such intimate items behind, as this could make vacationers feel uncomfortable. So be careful!Even cluttering is not allowed. You need originality, not chaos. The holiday home should be a relaxing, quiet, and inviting ambient, where guests can feel carefree throughout their vacation. If you leave your personal belongings and accessories around, the guests certainly won't feel at home.Speaking of tidiness, the layout of the home furnishings is also crucial. A confused and unharmonious layout does not allow guests to settle in the best way possible. Instead, it may even lead them to feel a sense of loss. Use elements present in the home and make them the focal point of its environment. For example, a beautiful fireplace should be enhanced to the fullest to become the centre of a warm and comfortable living room. To conclude, let's not forget the importance of furnishings and linens’ quality. As the saying goes: You buy cheap, you buy twice. Finding a middle ground between too expensive and very cheap accessories is the wisest choice, which will benefit both you and your guests.Take a cue from these little tips to make your property an effective investment. Don't forget that a holiday home full of personality, quality elements, and a good design of the rooms will undoubtedly make the difference.

Eco-Friendly Homes: some useful tips

More and more houses are nowadays incorporating environment-friendly measures for a cleaner world and with an eye to the future and the environment. But that’s not all. There are various advantages that only an eco-friendly house can offer. Turning your home into a "green home" or “eco-house” is a good starting point for increasing your income from renting a holiday home: this is because an eco-friendly structure brings significant savings on the various expenses related to housing. But what makes a house eco-friendly? An important eco-friendly house feature is a low carbon footprint, this means that the overall production of waste is minimal and the house utilises renewable sources of energy, like sunlight, to meet its consumption requirements. So, let's take a look at some important tips for making your property an eco-friendly home. One of the finest solutions that can be adopted is the installation of solar panels, an excellent alternative wherein the energy is produced through the greatest source of light i.e. the sun. Once the panels are installed, the bills to be paid become much lower and the house has a reduced environmental impact. Solar panels are undoubtedly the most expensive investment but they are also the ones that have proven to be a good deal in the long run. Your wallet will surely thank you later!Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)Provide a dishwasher. A dishwasher is preferred for two of its biggest advantages: one, it helps to avoid the use of disposable crockery and minimises waste; and two, it’s preferred for its less water consumption as compared to manual washing. You can also replace the oven with a toaster to reduce overall utility bills!Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)Additionally, then you can segregate the bins used for garbage into various categories like biodegradable, non-biodegradable and recyclable so that guests get rid of the waste material, most of which comes out of the kitchen, responsibly, and do their bit for the environment whilst travelling. Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)How to make your bathroom eco-friendly?Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)All-wood, sustainable treehouse with a private whirlpool sauna (Happy.Rentals: ID 6082)Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)The first rule we must never forget is to avoid unnecessary purchases for the home which will then perhaps be thrown away. In this sense, it is essential to provide, if possible, reusable and non-disposable material. Replacing one-time-use paper towels with reusable linen and cloth rags is a winning move in significantly reducing waste and making your holiday rental business environmentally friendly and sustainable. Private and public facilities are increasingly adopting this system: offering eco-friendly solutions that are easy to dispose of and do not pollute our planet further!Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)To add to your efforts, you can also buy natural cleaning solutions with no chemicals that will benefit not only the environment but will also assure safety for those coming with children. If possible, do not buy disposable crockery, containers and other materials, which only create an accumulation of unnecessary waste. All these ideas are also a good way to avoid unnecessary expenditure. Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)Include a smart thermostat so that you can turn on the heating before guests arrive and turn it off when they leave without worrying about wastage. You can also add smart switches that allow you to switch lights on and off remotely. Alternatively, replace old light bulbs with LEDs which use less energy and last longer.Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)Energy-saving LED lights in the cosy living area of Eco House Lina (Happy.Rentals: ID 5744)Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)In addition to these technological ideas, which certainly have an impact, let's also take a look at more practical and easier eco-friendly ways. Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)-Sealing air leaks helps you decrease the overall costs as losing heat or air-conditioning just adds massively to the utility bills, which is heavy on the pocket for you and also increases the cost of stay of the guests, who might just end up choosing another property because of big additional costs.Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)-Choose natural ventilating systems. Instal windows and doors in a way that the overall flow of air keeps the house cool in summer and also protects it from the winter cold.Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)-Avoid buying new furniture and if possible, restore old furniture you already have. This will reduce the cost of furnishing your home and free up landfills from old furniture.These are small ideas to protect the environment and to have a holiday home that amazes guests with eco-friendly solutions that are more sustainable and cost-effective!!Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)A blissful eco forest-hut with solar panels and a traditional sauna (Happy.Rentals: ID 4771)Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)For other worthwhile improvisations that you might want to make in your holiday home to get maximum booking results and revenue, you will find super handy guides to them all below:Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)How to make your holiday home digital nomad friendly?Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)How to make your holiday home family-friendly?Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)Top Holiday Home amenities searched by guests.Solar panels installed in a riverside holiday home with a private beach (Happy.Rentals: ID 5913)If you want to contact our property manager directly about renting out your precious second home, fill out this form and we will get back to you!

Holiday Home for the Digital Nomad

Over the past year, due to the global pandemic, the idea of a ‘Digital Nomad’ has become more and more established. The question that arises therefore is: what is the workplace of a digital nomad? Without a doubt, the home, or is it rather the world? This is a trend that continues to grow, particularly in the communications and marketing sector, but generally for all jobs where being in an office is not essential. Digital nomads are therefore able to enjoy more freedom, less stress, less rigid schedules and above all, enjoy their home environment even more. This is a good compromise for both workers and companies, both economically and in terms of space management. After all, the digital nomad doesn't need much in the way of tools other than a PC and a good internet connection. That's all they need to be able to work! Especially in the last few months, when the pandemic has not allowed people to return to their office in full capacity, making your property suitable for the digital nomad should be an extra incentive for renting even during the low season. In this article, we'd like to give you a few tips on how to make your holiday home a great place for a digital nomad to stay. First of all, a suitable workstation is a must. Nothing fancy or too expensive, but the important thing is that the work area should be a separate room or at least within the bedroom, but with a division. This is to offer maximum concentration during work, but also to separate work life from other domestic activities. Obviously, a large enough desk is a must where one can comfortably place their PC, books and other material. The chair must be ergonomic and adjustable to the comfort of the worker. Also, in this case, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money. However, it must be remembered that the digital nomad spends a lot of time sitting down so, a small investment in the work chair will help make his or her stay pleasant. Style and furnishings are not that important, but if you want to win them over, a minimalist, modern and functional style without too many accessories is just what they love. This is what freelancers generally prefer. A minimal home that conveys peace and quiet, not chaos. In this respect, it is essential to add some indoor plants to your holiday home. Green, typical of the Nordic style evokes feelings of well-being and balance. Buy low-maintenance plants such as palm trees or aloe plants. The digital nomad will be able to work better in a more natural environment. Light is an essential element. Place the work desk in an area of the house where plenty of natural light enters, perhaps near a large window with a view. Natural light will be appreciated much more than artificial office spotlights. When we talk about digital nomads, we don't just mean a worker, but sometimes also their family, especially these days. That's why it's good to design your home with more guests in mind. Here are a few simple ideas to make your holiday home suitable for a digital nomad: small touches that will make their stay enjoyable and keep them coming back to your property! Discover our services specially designed for homeowners who put their trust in us!