Preparing Your Property for a Holiday Rental

Holiday rentals in Malta have increased substantially over the past years. Many people, especially locals are investing in a second property in Malta, as a buy-to-let, and are using them as a holiday rental for tourists or business people coming to the Maltese islands on vacation. 

Although preparing your property for rent in Malta or Gozo as a holiday rental may sound like a simple process, there are actually many nitty-gritty details to keep in mind as a holiday rental owner. Falling short in the initial stages of renting your property in Malta as a holiday rental could pose bad reviews which could harm your investment and are difficult to erase. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to try to point out the key details tenants expect when renting a property in Malta as a holiday rental.  

Holiday cleaning services 

Holiday rentals tend to be short-term rentals with people coming into your property to stay for the duration of their vacation. Since they are on vacation they usually are not in the mood to do any chores around your property. However, they want cleanliness with a capital C. Therefore, it is best to simplify things as much as possible. 

Unless you plan to provide daily cleaning, help which is generally frowned upon as it is considered disturbing to the renters, stick to simple décor that can be easily managed. Forget the heavy shades, the rich upholstery and the deep carpets if you cannot afford regular cleaner or regular laundering bills. Clear furniture surfaces of excessive accessories, and remember – to work well, it’s all about adding a homely feel to the hotel room. Don’t overdo the ‘homely’.

Holiday rental linen

Always leave clean sheets, pillowcases, bed covers and blankets. There is nothing more put-offish than dirty linen in a rental. Decide if you will be including also towels for your guests. Some holiday rentals do not come equipped with towels for the guests, in which case you have to warn guests to bring their own. If you do leave towels and they are fine towels, specify to your guests that they are not to use them for the beach or pool. 

Alternatively, leave beach towels available as well. It may mean more laundering, but at least your fine towels are safe. Having said that, make sure you have spares of linens available both for the guests (accidents do happen) and for yourself (as back-to-back bookings may occur).

Food for the guests

Do leave some basic food items in the larder so that your guests can find them on arrival. Simple things like a loaf of bread, some biscuits, milk, pasta, a bottle of mineral water, sugar, tea and coffee. These basics are especially appreciated when guests arrive late in the day or after a long trip so that they have neither the time nor the mood and energy to seek out shops and do any shopping. Some companies offer this at an extra cost but we suggest that you offer it FREE. This will definitely start you on the right foot with your renters.

Rental inspection

Always allow at least one day in between the departure of a guest and the arrival of a new one. This time will allow you to inspect the condition of the apartment for rent after the last guest leaves, as well as give you or the cleaners plenty of time for a thorough clean-out. Some guests, especially those who arrive with children, tend to leave some level of upheaval around your property for rent – sand on the floor, finger-marks on furniture, toothpaste smears in the bathroom etc

Security deposit

Always charge a security deposit upon confirmation of booking. This will serve to cover any expenses that may arise from damages caused. You can reverse this deposit into their account within a few days of their departure after you have checked that all is intact.

Contact number available

Enjoy the experience of hosting people in your holiday rental, but keep in mind that this is a business, and as such, it must be treated with attention, diplomacy, money sense and professionalism. 

Leave your contact number available and be ready to answer the phone at all hours for emergencies like lost keys or burst pipes. But don’t badger guests during their stay by inviting them to events or trying to sell them products. All you have to concern yourself with is their time of arrival, and their time of departure and the rest will take care of itself.

Holiday rentals in Malta

The holiday rental business has become a do-it-yourself business where owners are quickly understanding that by advertising their holiday rental in Malta with portals can definitely achieve them good revenue. Having said that if you are not a handy person and do not have the time to manage your holiday rental business it is recommended to contract a property manager who can take care of these tasks. They take care of arrivals, and departures as well as any maintenance that may be required during or between rentals. Explore the holiday rental listings or property for rent in Malta and Gozo ideal as an investment in our rental property market.