Buying or owning a Kent holiday home comes with some important considerations. If you’re thinking of investing in Kent and you have some questions, we’ve put together some of our most frequently asked questions from owners below.
By choosing Keepers Cottages as your holiday letting agency you will get a personal and professional service from our local team in Kent.
Yes, absolutely. We will advise on practical fixtures and fittings as well as styling tips for your holiday home. We can offer help and support, or introduce you to our trusted list of local interior designers to help your property stand out.
The first step is a conversation about your property and what you hope to achieve. We will take time to understand your needs and the type of service you require. We then arrange a visit, discuss rental potential and recommend any preparation needed. If you decide to proceed, we agree the service and organise the steps towards launching your listing which includes professional photography and onboarding guidance.
We work with holiday homes across Kent, including Deal, Sandwich, Ramsgate, Margate, Broadstairs, Whitstable, Canterbury, Faversham, Ashford and the surrounding countryside. We also cover Folkestone, Sandgate, Hythe, Dungeness and Rye. We welcome any new enquiries for holiday homes in East Sussex too. Contact us to discuss your property’s location and the service available.
Potential income depends on the property size, location and facilities. Pricing, guest demand and the dates you make available can be a contributing factor. We will provide a very honest income projection and explain the factors behind it. To understand the financial return, you should also allow for running costs, maintenance, fees and tax.
Over 40% of homeowners in the UK have a pet, and many people like to take their pet on holiday. Allowing pets will increase your target market and income potential. However, we understand that certain properties are not suitable for pets, and certain owners would prefer not to allow pets in their newly refurbished property, for example. At Keepers Cottages we have a selection of pet friendly and non-friendly properties, we will tailor our approach to promoting your property according to your preference.
Yes. Keepers Cottages does not restrict owner stays. You can reserve dates for your own use through an online owner portal, subject to existing guest bookings. Your availability will affect rental potential, particularly during popular holiday periods, so include your planned stays when discussing an income projection.
Accidents can happen, even when guests take good care of a property. If damage is reported or discovered after a guest stay, we’ll assess the issue, keep you informed and help coordinate the next steps, including contacting the guest where appropriate. It’s important to distinguish accidental damage from normal wear and tear, which is part of holiday letting. We recommend having suitable holiday let insurance in place and understanding what your policy covers. Before you join us, we’ll explain our damage procedures and how our damage waiver works, so you know exactly what to expect.
Our fully managed service includes cleaning and laundry arrangements, with bed linen and towels supplied for guest stays so that you don’t need to purchase bed linen and towels. If you choose a marketing and booking service, suitable housekeeping arrangements will need to be in place and we will then work alongside your housekeeping team to send them details of new bookings. We will discuss these responsibilities before your home launches.
We use our top performing website, professional photography and expert marketing activity to help guests discover your home. This will include email, social media and paid advertising. Depending on the agreed approach, we will discuss other channels suitable for your property and your goals.
Keepers will set out a list of agreed rates with you prior to launching your home. Pricing should reflect the property’s features, comparable accommodation, seasonality and booking demand. We will discuss a suitable approach with you, including different lengths of stay. A realistic price helps position your home competitively while considering the income generated after the costs of each booking. We use local market data and years of expertise to determine your property rates.
Yes. The abolition of the Furnished Holiday Lettings tax regime changed the tax treatment of holiday accommodation; it did not prevent owners from holiday letting. Ask your accountant how the current rules affect your circumstances, including borrowing, expenses and private use. As members of PASC UK, the professional association of self-catering, Keepers will be able to guide you and keep you informed of any changes in the industry.
If you would like to explore holiday letting in Kent, contact Keepers Cottages to discuss your property, the support you need and what you would like to achieve. Our friendly team are contactable on 01304 382044 or you can email [email protected]
