Search found 4039 matches

by greenbarn
Tue Oct 22, 2019 6:39 pm
Forum: Managing your property
Topic: Gaining access in an emergency
Replies: 9
Views: 2820

Yes, we have codelocks on the main entrance door and although guests can deadlock from the inside with a thumbturn we have a master key which will open the door regardless from the outside. Other exit doors are only lockable from the inside with a thumbturn, so can also be opened from the outside. N...
by greenbarn
Sun Oct 13, 2019 10:07 am
Forum: UK & Ireland
Topic: Relaunch Guidance Sought
Replies: 10
Views: 7195

If guests are under-occupying but paying full rate they’ll expect to be able to use all the facilities, and may even want separate bedrooms, and would expect everything made up. I'd ditch the sofa bed completely, particularly if the only bathrooms are ensuite, which gets rid of that problem. Cleaner...
by greenbarn
Sun Sep 22, 2019 8:27 am
Forum: Managing your property
Topic: Dog has peed on rug and guest didn't own up!
Replies: 5
Views: 1852

A number of owners swear by this stuff for treating dog urine smells.
by greenbarn
Sun Sep 15, 2019 12:51 pm
Forum: Bookings
Topic: HMRC min 104 nights bookings
Replies: 3
Views: 3325

Re: HMRC min 104 nights bookings

should I do (almost) anything to achieve the 104 nights? The requirement is actually 105 nights, which must be let on a commercial basis - ie intended to make a profit, which could rule out “almost anything” as an option. The calculation is based on the tax year rather than a calendar year, except ...
by greenbarn
Sun Sep 08, 2019 9:50 am
Forum: Managing your property
Topic: Broken equipment
Replies: 13
Views: 3221

Agree with the above. If it’s one of several toilets that’s one thing, but if it’s causing the guests major problems (what are they saying?) it needs sorting ASAP. If the flush mechanism isn’t working the simplest solution is to provide a bucket to be filled with water and tipped into the toilet bow...
by greenbarn
Thu Sep 05, 2019 9:10 am
Forum: Managing your property
Topic: What do you all do about rubbish?!
Replies: 23
Views: 5922

Re: Trade waste disposal not accepted at my local recycling

We are thinking about setting up a new holiday let in Lancashire but when I looked at the council website it says they don't accept trade or commercial waste of any type at our local recycling centre. They also charge separately to collect it! " Please note this service is not provided through...
by greenbarn
Thu Sep 05, 2019 9:02 am
Forum: Scam email enquiries
Topic: Daniel Alex
Replies: 4
Views: 1766

On the basis that the wording is identical to several hundred other scam attempts - and that’s just the ones I’ve received or seen reported - I’m going to stick my neck out and say “scam”, even without seeing the email addresses and headers.
by greenbarn
Fri Aug 23, 2019 7:17 pm
Forum: Just starting out
Topic: New holiday home letting
Replies: 3
Views: 2171

Can’t help with the other parts, but those duvet covers are available from Richard Haworth (and transform the process of putting a cover on a duvet!)
If you do use them, try sticking a discount code of FAMILY10 in at checkout - if it works it’s worth 10% off.
by greenbarn
Wed Aug 14, 2019 8:00 am
Forum: Scam email enquiries
Topic: Emma De Leon
Replies: 7
Views: 4519

AndrewH wrote:I think "accommodation" and "flexible with our dates" are phrases learned in scam school.
+1

The wording screams scam, the disparity between from address and sender confirms it.
Bin.
by greenbarn
Mon Aug 12, 2019 5:04 pm
Forum: Managing your guests
Topic: The things a guest does ..........
Replies: 22
Views: 10033

Mouse wrote: Do any of you supply yoga mats? Or am I right to be slightly taken aback by being asked that question by incoming guests.
Where exactly are you advertising...? :shock: :shock:
by greenbarn
Tue Aug 06, 2019 8:29 pm
Forum: Managing your guests
Topic: Do you get fed up..............
Replies: 21
Views: 8859

Nope. It’s what I expect from a business relationship, even if I don’t particularly like it.

On the plus side, on the very rare occasions when someone does respond with a “thanks, but...” and a good reason, I want to go and kiss them.
by greenbarn
Tue Aug 06, 2019 9:24 am
Forum: Just starting out
Topic: Large holiday lets (7+ bedrooms)
Replies: 14
Views: 3377

PS - another thought about being on site. It can mean you can live in a fabulous location in a lovely house that you couldn’t justify buying without the business aspect. That really is buying into a lifestyle - that’s what we did around 15 years ago (no regrets!)
by greenbarn
Tue Aug 06, 2019 9:17 am
Forum: Just starting out
Topic: Large holiday lets (7+ bedrooms)
Replies: 14
Views: 3377

There doesn’t seem to be an overall “standard” way of valuing, as it’s often a mix of property value and revenue - both proven and potential. Revenue can be very dependent on lifestyle choice; an outgoing owner may have run it as a full on business - more likely with some sort of on site presence an...
by greenbarn
Mon Aug 05, 2019 9:12 am
Forum: Managing your guests
Topic: Too many guests.
Replies: 13
Views: 5286

Does your friend’s fire risk assessment allow for more than 8 sleeping guests in the event of an evacuation in the dark? That’s the deciding factor in how many guests can stay. Just a thought, if your friend can suggest anywhere locally where the extra children can be sold into slavery, end of probl...
by greenbarn
Sat Aug 03, 2019 8:39 pm
Forum: Managing your property
Topic: Teething troubles and first guests arriving tomorrow!
Replies: 13
Views: 2960

Thank you again for your advice to contact the guests. I did it anyway, even though I was happy that the lights were working, as I just wanted to give them a chance to feedback if anything was amiss. They are delighted with the cottage and say they wish they could stay a second week! Overjoyed and ...