5 Tips for a Buy-To-Let Holiday Home In England

If you’re thinking about a holiday home as a buy-to-let investment, then you’re in the right place, as we’re here with some things to consider if you’re new to the property market. People travel to England from all over the world to see what the culture is all about, with some particular hotspots that are great investment opportunities.

There are some important things to think about before you invest, from choosing the location to energy efficiency and property management options, to help make sure it’s a success.

Consider The Right Location

Firstly, you need to make sure you get the location right. People do visit all over the country, however, if you buy somewhere in the middle of nowhere just because it looks nice, you might struggle to fill it. So, being aware of some of the most popular areas for tourists is key, to ensure your property is in demand. These include:

• The Lake District
• The Peak District
• The Cotswolds
• London
• York
• Yorkshire
• Manchester
• Bath
• Stratford-Upon-Avon
• Oxford and Cambridge
• Brighton
• Cornwall
• Liverpool

Identify Your Target Market

After this, you’ll need to think about the type of person you want to attract to your buy-to-let. Would it be people who want to stay centrally if you have more budget or more affordable places slightly out of the area? Make sure that you look at the average yield for other similar holiday properties when you’re looking, to ensure it's going to be profitable for you. Having a clear idea of who you want to stay in your property helps to ensure that you’re finding the right property for the right reason.

Check Your EPC Rating

To rent out your property as a holiday let, you need to have an EPC rating of at least E, although ideally, you want it higher. Because bills are all included in the rental price, you want to make sure that your property is as energy efficient as possible, whether that’s upgrading the boiler, getting an external wall, roof or conservatory insulation, changing to energy-efficient light bulbs, getting more efficient appliances, or anything in between. You could also get attachments for showers and taps that are aerators, so reduce the amount of water being used without impacting the shower pressure. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you will be saving yourself money.

Think About Property Management

Another consideration will be what you’re going to do about property management. If you want to buy a property and live nearby to manage it yourself, that’s no problem, however, if that isn’t feasible, you need to identify how you’re going to maintain it, clean it, welcome guests, and so on. With AirBnb, you can find people who live locally who are signed up and you’d pay them an amount of the yield to manage everything for you, or you could find local businesses who do the same thing in particularly popular tourist areas.

The Finishing Touches

Lastly, you need to make sure you put the finishing touches in place. As well as the basics like kitchen equipment, soft furnishings, furniture and basic toiletries, you should go above and beyond to make your guests feel at home. People are much more likely to leave a review when you do this, which goes a long way! So, make sure you get additional toiletries like sanitary products, nice hand soap or shampoo and conditioner, extra towels and a good hair dryer.

Then, make the place feel like home with things like wall art and ornaments, without it being cluttered. Include a welcome basket with a nice drink, baked goods and some flowers, then finally ensure you have a great welcome guide that includes everything your guest needs for their stay, as well as a guide on all the best local restaurants, bars and cafes, tourist attractions, walks and so on.