By Izzy Maitland
Purchasing and owning a holiday rental property in France can be fun and rewarding, but it’s good to be clear about what you need to consider right from the start. If your plan is to earn an income from your holiday home by renting it out, there are several things you’ll need to think about beforehand, says rentals expert Izzy Maitland, see all 9 Steps to Renting out your French Holiday Home Below.
1. GOOD LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The location of your property is key. Many holidaymakers travel to France by car, so it’s good to look for a property within reasonable distance of an autoroute; and do some research on access to ferries, airports and stations.
It’s also important to present your holiday accommodation in the best light with a good description. It’ll need to be an honest representation of the quality and equipment provided. Include information about the living space (with a brief overview of kitchen equipment and any special features), bedrooms and bathrooms. How many people does the property sleep and who is it suitable for. Describe outside space too. Details about the location should be included, such as the distance to nearby shops (walking distance preferably), nearest beach and so on. Mention any attractions or shopping opportunities in the area too.
2. SET YOUR PRICES
How much are you going to charge? You should know the fixed costs for your holiday home. Setting a ‘correct’ price can be difficult initially. Browse on holiday rental sites to gauge what other properties nearby are charging. It is important to consider property rentals that are as similar as possible in terms of location, size and amenities. Your price should not differ much from these.
Try to put forward your most attractive price; it can always be reviewed later on, depending fixed costs for your holiday home. Setting a ‘correct’ price can be difficult initially. Browse on holiday rental sites to gauge what other properties nearby are charging. It is important to consider property rentals that are as similar as possible in terms of location, size and amenities. Your price should not differ much from these.
Try to put forward your most attractive price; it can always be reviewed later on, depending should be a priority on your rental checklist. They should show all the rooms and must be authentic, but also attractive.
When taking either a series of photos or video footage, it’s a good idea to start with the main view of the property exterior. When it comes to outside space, show the garden looking tidy and well kept. If you have a brick or tile patio, sweep it and then wet it down to make the colour look rich and minimise glare. Dress the swimming pool and outdoor living area to look really enticing. Choose large pictures too (at least the size of a postcard).
3. MAKE AN INVENTORY AND ASK FOR A DEPOSIT
Before you let guests stay in your holiday home, record all existing items as well as their condition in an inventory list. This way, you can check after a rental that no items have been stolen or damaged – for example, stains or scratches on furniture. Minor damage or wear and tear can be quickly identified and repaired with the help of the inventory.
A security/damage deposit should be requested in advance. This can be returned at the end of the rental if all is well. Remember that an uncashed cheque can be cancelled by the payee. Ensure the deposit you ask for is sufficient enough to help cover any last-minute cancellations or breakages.
4. SECURITY ASPECTS
There are a number of safety standards you must consider, such as railings on balconies or secure windows and apartment doors. Then there are smoke detectors, which are often required by law. If you intend to have bunk beds, look for the associated safety features. There are special safety regulations in France for swimming pools, so make sure they conform to these. In particular, safety should be made a priority for families with babies and young children.
5. USE A CONTRACT
As the property owner, you should always sign a rental contract with your guests in case of disputes or problems. There are sample contracts online for this purpose, which also include details of the regulations for cancellation and the owner’s obligations. If your holiday rental is arranged through a property manager or a company, you need a contract with them. There are examples available that specify the rights and obligations of the manager.
6. TOURIST TAX
This point is often overlooked: in some coastal regions and well-known holiday resorts, a visitor’s tax (taxe de séjour) is due. Holiday guests pay this local tax directly to the owner of the property when they arrive. The tourist tax depends on the local conditions; you should always be aware of current requirements.
7. REGISTER YOUR PROPERTY
You should register your property as a holiday rental at your local mairie (town hall). Holiday homes can basically be registered in two ways in France: professional or non-professional. Professional is someone for whom the holiday rental is a full-time activity, as opposed to a secondary source of income. This will have an effect both on how you register and on your taxes. You need to declare and register your holiday rental before you start charging guests and the income will have to be declared in France, even by non-residents.
8. TAKE OUT INSURANCE
As well as the obligatory building insurance, property owners should take out supplementary natural hazards insurance for protection against damage caused by natural forces. Especially for holiday homes, it is also advisable to take out commercial household insurance, which, in addition to private household insurance, also covers damage caused by careless guests or burglary. Business liability insurance should be considered as well as personal liability insurance. You need this so you are insured against justified claims by guests e.g. in the event of an accident. It is also advisable to have commercial legal protection insurance so you are prepared for any legal disputes.
9. MAKE YOUR HOLIDAY HOME VISIBLE ONLINE -AND BOOKABLE
Everything prepared? Then you can start with the holiday rental. Nowadays, searching for or booking a holiday home is largely done online. So it’s important to make your holiday property visible online with a good internet presence. This also includes a well-maintained availability calendar/prices and a quick response to customer inquiries (within 48 hours).
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