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Seasonal rental is a profitable business, yes, when your rentals go well and your tenants respect the premises. It is common to have to deal with people who are not very respectful, even ill-intentioned, who in a very short time, can damage all the profitability that you had built by degrading your property. Waste of time, energy, and money... We don't want it anymore! But how to protect yourself from damage?
Select your tenants
While you may not have the luxury of choosing which travellers you will host in your accommodation, there are certain types of tenants that are preferable. It is indeed preferable to welcome a small couple in their fortiesIt's better to have three friends who are staying with you for a weekend to discover the city, or for a local event, than three 20 year old friends who are coming for a bachelor party and whose only objective is to party. Obviously, I'm taking completely different cases here, and it's sometimes difficult to know in advance. But you can (and I strongly advise you to) ask your future tenants why they are renting this property and in what context! And you have every right to refuse tenants if you don't feel they are right. On the majority of the booking platforms, the tenants are also entitled to a note! Make sure you look at your tenant's profile and be careful who you rent your accommodation to.
Ask for a deposit
Obviously, asking for a deposit is just essential to protect you from damage. On the one hand, by asking for a deposit, you immediately create a psychological impact in your travellers, who will spontaneously take care of your apartment. On the other hand, your tenants simply don't want to be charged or not get their deposit check back. This is why some people give you checks... made of wood! Or declare their bank card stolen or lost, when trying to collect the deposit. To avoid this kind of dispute, use Swikly to ask for a deposit from your tenants: it's super easy, super fast, and it doesn't impact the credit card limit of your travellers, while being guaranteed for you. What could be better?
Have your tenants do an inventory of fixtures
More and more, short-term rentals are taking place autonomously: tenants access the accommodation alone, with the help of a key box, and leave the accommodation alone too. As a result, fewer and fewer inspections are carried out and more and more problems occur. If you have the opportunity to welcome your tenants in person, make a detailed inventoryYou can check each item by hand or with the help of an application. This allows you to validate with them each element, and to be able to collect the deposit if there are damages, stains, thefts, etc. If, for any reason, you are not present when your travellers arrive, you can have them do an inventory on their own, by going through Swikly. Indeed, when the travellers arrive, after having deposited their deposit, we invite them to make an inventory of the place, by taking picturesand uploading them directly to our check-in platform. These photos allow them to defend themselves in case of abusive cashings, and encourage them not to damage anything since their photos are used as evidence! The psychological impact is very present.
Post your rental agreement
For each rental, a rental contract is drawn up and accepted by both parties. A contract, which obviously specifies the repercussions in case of damage to the accommodation, i.e. the cashing of the deposit. But this rental contract, accepted by the travellers at the time of the reservation, is read only very rarely. By displaying your rental agreementThis should be done in a visible place (e.g. behind the front door), emphasizing the consequences of problems, you increase the psychological impact, which may even be unconsciousto your travellers. Some people will find this anxiety-provoking, but you should not forget that you are entrusting your accommodation, which is sometimes your main source of income, to people you do not know or know very little about. You must protect yourself!
Establish a relationship of trust
Upon reservation, I invite you to introduce yourself and get to know your travellers Who are they? In what context are they renting this accommodation? Do they need information? etc. The goal here is to create a healthy relationship in which both parties feel comfortable. If, as a host, you are immediately friendly, listen to the travellers' requests, give good advice about the city, etc., you will be able to help them, your tenants will start their stay with the desire to take care of your accommodation. This can be done directly with a warm welcome but also remotely, by phone or otherwise. For example, you can put up a small poster in your accommodation, nicely presented (by hand or on the computer!) indicating all the good tips you know: restaurants, neighborhoods, activities etc. It is a small attention that will please your travelers and they will be in a state of mind where they will want to please you ... By not degrading anything for example!
Check in with us
For Finally, check in with your travelers throughout their stay! A text message in the middle of the stay for 3-4 days of accommodation, a call per week for week for a 2 weeks stay, ... You should obviously not harass your travellers your travellers, but they will like to hear from you regularly. A host is always appreciated, even if your travellers don't necessarily want to don't necessarily want to answer you! Of course, if you don't have time, this is something you can automate perfectly.
These tips to protect yourself from damage are simple and cost you nothing: what are you waiting for to put them in place?
