ALL Owners deal with rentals differently, but the guest still has basic expectations of what should be in situ on arrival...
What you provide can also help on damage limitation & time saving during your rental season:
Here's a few tips from ETK to help you get it right!
"WELCOME" PACK:
Completely at your descretion as to whether to provide a "welcome" pack or not, but most Owners will leave at least enough tea & coffee for the first brew on arrival! Some provide milk, salt & pepper, sauces etc.
KITCHEN:
The biggest complaint is usually that the kitchen is lacking in utensils & equipment. It doesn't have to be fully stocked, but always a good idea to think of what you use on a regular basis at home & supply the same for your Holiday Home:
Equipment: May seem obvious, but you must have a fully working oven, microwave & fridge!
Toaster: Guests will always expect a toaster, preferably a 4-slice.
Pots & Pans: Always make sure you have a full set of saucepans & most guests expect a frying pan (the Owner's nightmare!)
Baking Trays: Have at least 2... leave them covered in tin foil for your guest's arrival, then hopefully each time they're used your guest will do the same & they won't end up too caked in grease etc on departure! (Do the same with the oven grill pan.)
Ovenware: Provide at least 2 overproof dishes.
Kitchen Utensils: Supply whatever you use at home on a regular basis, this should include serving spoons, spatulas & kitchen knives. Don't forget tin and bottle openers & potato peelers - advisable to have more than one!
Cooking Aids: Provide a couple of plastic mixing bowls, plasic measuring jugs & a seive or strainer.
Gas Ignitor: Always handy to have, just in case & will stop your guests using matches & lighters inside the property!
Cutlery: Ensure you have enough! If your Holiday Home is an 8-berth, you must have at least 8 of everything & preferably more. Always have a stock of teaspoons... as these are the favourite souvenir to be taken home!
Crockery: Again, cater for above & beyond the berth of the property. Cups & plates will get broken.
Glasses: Have a selection of pint, wine glasses + tumblers.
Plasticware: Always a good idea to provide plastic plates, beakers & even cutlery for the younger guests... & stops them using the breakables during their stay!
Bread-board: If you provide a bread board or work-surface saver it will limit the kitchen knives being used directly on your work surfaces!
Draining Rack: This will prevent washing-up being piled on the draining board & hopefully prevent a few breakages!
Cloth-holder: If you provide a holder for washing-up sponges etc, they won't get left wet on your work surfaces, damaging window seals! (Inveriabley they're left at the back of the sink, by the window!)
Tin Foil: As above (!) if you cover the baking trays & grill pan in tin foil for arrival, hopefully the guest will do the same when cooking!
Cleaning Materials: Always leave a basic supply of cleaning materials, which will encourage your guests to use them!
Rubbish Bin: Provide black sacks for the bin & this should prevent carrier bags full of waste food sitting on your kitchen floor!
Extras: There are a number of other "optional extras" that will make your guests stay an easier one, but always remember - whatever you provide will need checking & possibly cleaning after departure... so don't make your life too difficult! These can include: slow cookers, sandwich makers, foreman grills etc etc.
BATHROOM:
Most complaints about bathrooms involve cleaning! It's imperative that the bathroom & W.C are spotless on arrival!
Shower-Mats: NEVER provide a material shower-mat! It will get dirty very quickly - & just think of all the different feet standing on it! If you want to provide a shower-mat, use disposable ones. They are easily purchased on-line & usually aren't too expensive.
Soap-Dishes / Toothbrush Holders: May look nice, but are just something else to clean (or get broken!) - not necessary for a rental!
Loo Roll: Not essential at all, but it doesn't hurt to leave one roll awaiting your guest's arrival!
Loo Brush: Must be in situ for obvious reasons, but can end up getting very grimy indeed! Must be checked in-between every rental & not a bad idea to keep a spare! (Certain supermarket beginning with "A" are currently selling plastic ones for 75p!)
Rubbish Bin: Something else to check & empty on departure, not necessary!
Sanitary Products: Not a bad idea to just discreetly leave a few "emergency supplies" - as this could save your mattress & bedding from an "accident."
LIVING AREA:
Most complaints are usually that the area is not clean, so ensure everywhere has been checked in-between rentals. (Take all the seating cushions off in-between each rental & hoover! After collecting the pennies & 5ps... or loom bands!)
TV: An old portable is no longer acceptable! Guests will expect a flat-screen of some sort, doesn't have to be massive - but a decent size is preferable - with a working remote!
DVD Player: Not essential - but preferable, with a few DVDs - these don't have to be the "latest" releases!
Games Consoles: Some owners provide Playstations, or X-boxes - this is a personal choice, & bear in mind these can go "walkies" quite easily....
Board Games: Not essential, but useful.
Rubbish Bin: Something else to check & empty on departure, not necessary!
DINING AREA:
Again, common complaints are regarding cleanliness - so ensure there are no left-overs awaiting the new guest under the table or down the side of the seating!
Table: May seem obvious but your guest needs a table to eat on!
Lap Trays: Lots of guests will eat on their laps anyway - it's not a bad idea to have lap trays, so not quite so much food ends up on settees or carpets.
Rubbish Bin: Something else to check & empty on departure, not necessary!
BEDROOMS:
Most complaints regarding sleeping areas are space - which there isn't a lot you can do about, apart from trying not to clutter with unnecessary furniture!
Beds: Always provide clean mattress & pillow protectors, even if you are not providing bed linen. Make sure all mattresses, pillows, duvets are in good condition.
Bedside Tables: Handy for each person to have access to a bedside table where possible & preferably a lamp in each room. Maybe provide a plug-in night light for the twin rooms.
Wardrobes: Plenty of coat hangers! These will go home as souvenirs on a regular basis!
Rubbish Bin: Something else to check & empty on departure, not necessary!
EXTRAS:
Each Owner will provide different "extras" ~ an iron & ironing board are useful if you have enough storage, hairdryers etc - but do remember that anything electrical will need a PAT cert & all "extras" you provide get added to your "check-list" after departure, so don't go too mad!
ETK wish you a successful 2015 rental season