Ask the experts: making a property ready for letting

Glynis Shaw, of French Connections, reveals how to make your French property ready for holiday letting to make sure you get maximum bookings

Q. I want to start letting out my house in France. What do I need to do to make it ready for letting?

Malcolm Griffin

A. If you are new to the holiday let market or have been out of it for some years, then be aware that nowadays guests expect good quality at excellent value. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to look at your house in a detached, business-like way to assess the facilities you need to provide to generate bookings.

In the kitchen, a gleaming oven is essential, so consider a professional clean at the start of each season. Make sure the kitchen is well equipped with plenty of cutlery and crockery, fully functioning white goods and extras like a coffee-maker. For bedrooms, top-quality comfortable mattresses with nice bed linen are important, and extra touches like a full-length mirror, hair dryer, alarm clock and bedside lamps will be appreciated.

Make sure that the living space has comfortable furnishings and some personality and colour, but is not busy or cluttered. Remove most of your own ornaments and photos, but leave colourful artwork on the walls. You could store linen and personal goods in a lockable cupboard or small room. Have curtains and removable covers cleaned. For leisure time, visitors like a CD and DVD player, English language television channels and some games. Access to the internet is another important facility.

Outdoor space is equally important; make sure that the garden is easy to maintain with a splash of colour in shrubs or planted pots and provide a generous-sized table and chairs for outdoor dining. If you have a swimming pool, equip it with loungers and a few water toys and ensure that it complies with French regulations for maintenance and safety.

When you think all is complete, write up guest information folders about the house and local attractions; ask friends to do a test stay and give feedback; and also put plans in place for regular maintenance, key-holding and greeting guests. Finally, set your prices and you’re ready to let!

Glynis Shaw

French Connections www.frenchconnections.co.ukFind out more about how to make your holiday let as successful as possible