Vacation rental expectations

[charmed59]

For years I’ve rented houses or apartments when I travel on vacation. Recently I’ve joined the owner side of the vacation rental equation. My partner and I have had some discussions of what renters expect, and I’d like to get a broader view.

Other than a sparkling clean residence that looks like the pictures, what do you expect when renting a vacation home? What amenities do you expect when you walk in the door?

I don’t want to disappoint any renters...

[2newyorkers]

I want to know if the place I am renting has central a/c or window. When it says sleeps 6 does that mean 2 people have to sleep on a sofa bed, cot or air mattress? Are linens included? Towels? These are a few of the problems I have had in vacation rentals.

[NatureBoy]

I expect some sort of info on the local area. In a place like TV, I'd expect the weekly activity schedule at the least. And a welcome folder with some menus from local food places that deliver, welcome letter with some important phone numbers in it, and any instructions regarding the home - where the extra TP is, a channel guide.

[John_W]

...

[geofitz13]

As a renter, one thing I always appreciated was a small supply of coffee available on arrival. Maybe a couple Keurig pods, or just a small amount of ground coffee. Nice to have while unpacking and getting the lay of the land. We've rented in TV three times, and each time was fine. All we require is that everything works (AC, TV, etc), and is clean. Maybe we are just not really picky. We have always been very pleased with our accomodations in TV.

[charmed59]

Our renters do get the Daily Sun, but I like the idea of getting take-out menus for them. We also provide a carousel of Keurig pods, and creamers, and tea, and a few bottles of wine. Who knows how long their trip was, and nothing like a glass of wine on the lanai after a long day. We provide a welcome book that gives them the lay of the land, and toiletry baskets in case they forgot their shampoo or toothbrushes. There are also the basics: paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, napkins, foil, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent and dishwasher pods, etc.

However, the welcome book does say to replace what you’ve used. I’m wondering if that is an unreasonable request.

Clean, linens and all dish ware and kitchen ware supplied and everything working goes without saying. Though I am going to go back and check to make sure the bed sizes are specific.

[Schaumburger]

When I have rented in The Villages, with one exception a couple of years ago, my experiences have been great.

One thing to be sure is to let the renters know who to contact in case something goes out of service while they are in the house. In one rental I had in The Villages, the internet and cable TV were out for about a day (not a huge issue) and the garage door stopped working. Fortunately the owner lived just a couple of miles away, and he took care of everything.

[TommyT]

With so many renter scams today, protection for the renter is NEEDED.... Take Credit Cards or some other type of protection for both the renter and property owner.

[vintageogauge]

Cleanliness is number one, I've had a couple nightmare designer and premier homes that we rented over the years. In the premier which was expensive at the time, the owners had clothes in all of the closets and dressers, we were assigned a few drawers in a chest for all of our belongings. We ended up taking their stuff out and put it on the bed in a spare bedroom so we had room. They had a small rechargeable vacuum cleaner that would only run about 5 minutes on a 6 hour charge and we like to keep things clean. This home was rented by elderly owners who needed the income and lived with friends during the winter so we did not complain to them. We also had a designer with a pool that was not heated and a summer kitchen that had locks on everything so we could not use it, one bedroom was locked up and the cabinets in the laundry room had locks on them. None of this was told to us, it was advertised by an agency as a 3 bedroom designer with a pool and summer kitchen, it didn't say they were just to look at. In addition this particular home was filthy. There's really not much you can do about it once your here in the winter as there is no where else to go. One last thing, we also rented 5 homes that were absolutely perfect.

[VApeople]

However, the welcome book does say to replace what you’ve used. I’m wondering if that is an unreasonable request.


Yes, I think that is an unreasonable request.

It is easy for you to pick up the stuff when you are at Publix but it is pain for them to think they have to replace the items when they are packing to leave.

Having your rental supplied with the few things you mentioned is very nice of you, but I would leave the wine out. They may have a different taste than you do.

[Tom C]

These days WiFi is a must. That can answer a renters needs (local food, stores, etc.)

[Packer Fan]

For years I’ve rented houses or apartments when I travel on vacation. Recently I’ve joined the owner side of the vacation rental equation. My partner and I have had some discussions of what renters expect, and I’d like to get a broader view.

Other than a sparkling clean residence that looks like the pictures, what do you expect when renting a vacation home? What amenities do you expect when you walk in the door?

I don’t want to disappoint any renters...

I have 2 rentals in TV - both Designer homes. I have been doing this for over 5 years and I can tell you what renters look for-
1. Golf Cart - Gas
2. Clean - has to be clean. We NEVER waive the cleaning fee on renters, so we have a pro come in and clean between them.
3. Fully Stocked Kitchen - like you have at home. NOT the bare necessities the Villages says you should have. Including a crock pot, coffee maker, and everything else you can think of.
4. A recliner - yes, you have to have one. Dudes like their recliners
5. Gas Grill - Another must have, people ask about this all the time.
6. Lots of towels and extra bed sheets
7. The Daily Sun

Those seem to be the hot buttons for Renters.
Ed

[My Post]

A British Butler trained at the Silver Swan preferably named Jeeves or Cheens. An autographed photo of Dolly Parton. A bowl of M&M's, with the brown ones omitted. Coffee from beans grown in the hills of Kilauea, lovingly harvested from natives making at least 100K with full bennies. Benign neighbors not unpleasant to look at who will not make eye contact before 11 AM.
A copy of the days Nikkei, in English of course, brought up the driveway lovingly by a Tibetan Mastiff. Maybe some Almas Caviar to snack on and a glance at an ivory Billed Woodpecker in the backyard plumage.

Other than that, not picky. White Truffles I suppose would be a bonus.

[geofitz13]

A British Butler trained at the Silver Swan preferably named Jeeves or Cheens. An autographed photo of Dolly Parton. A bowl of M&M's, with the brown ones omitted. Coffee from beans grown in the hills of Kilauea, lovingly harvested from natives making at least 100K with full bennies. Benign neighbors not unpleasant to look at who will not make eye contact before 11 AM.
A copy of the days Nikkei, in English of course, brought up the driveway lovingly by a Tibetan Mastiff. Maybe some Almas Caviar to snack on and a glance at an ivory Billed Woodpecker in the backyard plumage.

Other than that, not picky. White Truffles I suppose would be a bonus.

WHITE truffles? How gauche!

[Schaumburger]

These days WiFi is a must. That can answer a renters needs (local food, stores, etc.)

Agree with Tom C. WiFI is a must. I would pass on a home that did not have WiFI.

[ladygolfer123]

When we rented which was for 5 yrs in 5 different homes, after the 1st experience, having wicker porch furniture for living room furniture, we were sure to ask and request comfortable furniture ie. lazyboy recliner for a 6ft man. 3 months is a long time to be uncomfortable and pay a good sum of rent for.
Cleanliness was always hoped for, even though promised, and quite debatable by some standards! Everyone has their own opinions, but we always guaranteed leaving it cleaner than we found it and never paid a cleaning fee, and always had our deposits returned in full. Could write a book, but we bought instead!

[Carla B]

We had an experience with a patio-villa rental in The Villages I'd rather not repeat: faded, mismatched bed linens/towels and old kitchen utensils, appliances/gadgets from a bygone era. Obviously, these came from the owners' household and since they were of no use to them should have been thrown out or donated long before.

Another thing owners should look at carefully are safety issues. An AirBnB rental out of town was in an old apartment complex. It was managed professionally by an "expert host" and overall was okay but the bathtub/shower combo had been repainted and was extremely slippery. We had to buy a bath mat. There was also a large glass dining table that wobbled on its iron legs. One small accidental shove and it would have crashed. I told the host about these issues in a private message.

On the other hand, we found an AirBnB rental in the Village of LaZamora for overflow company. The house had been recently updated and was the most tastefully decorated and comfortably furnished place I've seen. I hope all the guests since then have treated it respectfully.

[Packer Fan]

When we rented which was for 5 yrs in 5 different homes, after the 1st experience, having wicker porch furniture for living room furniture, we were sure to ask and request comfortable furniture ie. lazyboy recliner for a 6ft man. 3 months is a long time to be uncomfortable and pay a good sum of rent for.
Cleanliness was always hoped for, even though promised, and quite debatable by some standards! Everyone has their own opinions, but we always guaranteed leaving it cleaner than we found it and never paid a cleaning fee, and always had our deposits returned in full. Could write a book, but we bought instead!

I am sure you did leave the place very nice, however, as you say it is debatable as to the standard. This is why we never wave the cleaning fee- I know what my cleaners do, I never know what the renter will do. You might be fantastic, the next guy might not - but here is the real question - how do I know which is which? The answer is, there is no way of knowing - so I never waive the fee. My experience is that I am not alone, most owners don't.

[Packer Fan]

Agree with Tom C. WiFI is a must. I would pass on a home that did not have WiFI.

oh my - Isn't that like having Air Conditioning and lights? I would never have thought to list it, because it is so obvious - I would add you need basic cable TV also - I don't have it at home, but do in my rentals.

[bluedivergirl]

Our renters do get the Daily Sun, but I like the idea of getting take-out menus for them. We also provide a carousel of Keurig pods, and creamers, and tea, and a few bottles of wine. Who knows how long their trip was, and nothing like a glass of wine on the lanai after a long day. We provide a welcome book that gives them the lay of the land, and toiletry baskets in case they forgot their shampoo or toothbrushes. There are also the basics: paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, napkins, foil, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent and dishwasher pods, etc.

However, the welcome book does say to replace what you’ve used. I’m wondering if that is an unreasonable request.

Clean, linens and all dish ware and kitchen ware supplied and everything working goes without saying. Though I am going to go back and check to make sure the bed sizes are specific.

We rented in 2015, before we purchased. We had the same rule; replace what you use. We found it very reasonable, and it was nice having a starter supply in the home.

[pauld315]

I commend the OP for asking the question and trying to do the right thing for renters. I have owned short term vacation rentals for almost 20 years in Myrtle Beach and have learned along the way. While it is the right thing to do to provide a great accommodation, also remember that you are renting to people who are on vacation. Furnish your rental accordingly (not too many breakables etc), don't put things in there that would really bother you if it is broken, stolen or missing especially if you are not here locally to check on everything when a tenant leaves. Once another tenant moves in there, you will not be able to pinpoint who caused damage or broke an item. Protect yourself with deposits and/or insist the renter buy insurance to cover any breakage or damage. Always get a cleaning fee so you can have a professional come in between renters. Remember to get the correct insurance on your home if you are using it as a rental. Also, make sure your golf cart insurance allows you to let your tenants use it.

[spring_chicken]

Consider whether you want an occupancy limit. My rental is 3 BR, but I only allow up to 4 ADULTS. I do not allow children, as there is a pool and I don't want the liability.

[charmed59]

Good point on the golf cart insurance. Formost insurance now will insure carts at your rental property as long as people are renting the property, not just the golf cart. This is new within the last year.

As for number of people, we don’t mind children, but our third bed is a full size sofa bed. We warn potential renters that think they want 6 people staying, as I as an adult wouldn’t feel comfortable in the sofa bed, but kids aren’t as heavy and seem happy in the sofa bed.

We learned the hard way on furnishings. We had some mid-century modern dining chairs, but they were not sturdy enough to hold 300 pound folks, and the legs cracked. Our dining chairs now are iron, and extremely sturdy.

Since we live nearby if possible we check on the rentals between every tenant, after the cleaners come, to make sure it is ready for the next tenant. Sometimes, if we are busy and it’s a 10am to 3pm turnaround we can’t get in after the professional cleaners, and count on our property manager to make sure everything is tip-top.

[Fraugoofy]

Good point on the golf cart insurance. Formost insurance now will insure carts at your rental property as long as people are renting the property, not just the golf cart. This is new within the last year.

As for number of people, we don’t mind children, but our third bed is a full size sofa bed. We warn potential renters that think they want 6 people staying, as I as an adult wouldn’t feel comfortable in the sofa bed, but kids aren’t as heavy and seem happy in the sofa bed.

We learned the hard way on furnishings. We had some mid-century modern dining chairs, but they were not sturdy enough to hold 300 pound folks, and the legs cracked. Our dining chairs now are iron, and extremely sturdy.

Since we live nearby if possible we check on the rentals between every tenant, after the cleaners come, to make sure it is ready for the next tenant. Sometimes, if we are busy and it’s a 10am to 3pm turnaround we can’t get in after the professional cleaners, and count on our property manager to make sure everything is tip-top.Does foremost put that in writing in their policy? Allstate says they will cover renters, but it is not written in their policy.

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