Just started my Holiday Let and I've just had my first 5 weeks which have highlighted a few problems:
The first issue was a total surprise. Have I just been unlucky or is the problem the norm, in the first two weeks ALL the batteries (Both Weeks) in the various remote control units had been stolen, missing altogether (10 X AA batteries twice). On the third week 2 sets of batteries (4 X AA batteries) had been swapped out for dead batteries. This week, the 5th week one set of batteries (2 X AA batteries) had been swapped out but the batteries work but how old are they?
Is this normal? If so I'm going to have to buy the cheapest batteries I can find and or put out a simple note asking people not to change or swap batteries in remotes.
WiFi internet access issue. I have had a letter from my ISP warning me (Guests) that I am downloading pirated / copyrighted movies and music and excessive downloading.
In one week only a set of Guests were downloading over 108GB of data a day!!!!!!!!!!!! Yikes!!!!
Having had this letter I'm now monitoring my guests usage short term. The first week (5th week) was very scary, a couple (2 people) had nine devices connected and I'm not going into what they were doing online, lets just say it was scary indeed.
My router gives me the power to control and restrict various services etc but just how far do you go with this though?
As account holder for the internet access at the cottage I don't want to be the one that gets that knock at the door from the police along with the accusation that I've been downloading illegal porn, child porn or pirated film and music.
Otherwise all seems to be going very well so far.
My First 5 Weeks Experiences
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akwe-xavante
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Oh gosh, that's a really unlucky start. Others will be along to help I'm sure, but I've never had that sort of numbers of batteries taken. I know some owners tape the remotes and leave a message not to remove. Wi-fi is new to me too, so I'm still learning. There are some old threads where wi-fi usage has been discussed if you have any luck with the search.
Boy - you have been unlucky. They obviously needed new batteries for something & pinched yours. Did you ask the guests about it? I would have if they were completely missing.
As for the wifi - do u have a clause in your T&Cs about internet usage rules?
9. When you book Grafton, you will be asked to confirm acceptance of our Booking Conditions. These include the terms and conditions for using the Wi-Fi service. The service can be accessed only with the appropriate security code (WEP key) and password. This information will be provided on arrival or shortly before your stay. The terms and conditions require you, and all members of your group, not to disclose the security information to anyone else.
Users of the internet service: -
(a) do so at their own risk, using their own wireless-equipped computing equipment;
(b) understand that as the Broadband service is provided by SKY, they accept the SKY Internet Terms and Conditions;
(c) will not hold the owners of Grafton responsible for any loss or damage, however sustained;
(d) will not use the service for any unlawful purpose or use the service in any way which may violate or infringe the rights of any individual, firm or company or may be construed as defamatory, offensive, abusive, obscene or which may cause unnecessary anxiety or inconvenience to others;
(e) will have properly installed, up to date and functioning Firewall and Anti-Virus software;
(f) will not disclose the security code and/or password to anyone outside the family or party staying at Grafton.
(g) understand that the internet service is complimentary & free of charge, if for any reason the service is not available or suffers a breakdown there will be no recompense for that loss of service. We reserve the right to suspend or cease WiFi service for improper use or for any technical reason without any liability, cost or notice. The internet we provide is suitable for normal use of emailing & searching websites. It is not suitable for heavy usage, business purposes, downloading TV programmes & films, streaming etc. Usage will be monitored & excessive usage will be charged for by deduction from the security/key deposit. Equipment is not to be left permanently connected to the internet. Please disconnect when not in use
This is partially copied from the SKY regulations & partly cribbed (with permission) from others on LMH when this subject was discussed before.
Feel free to use any of it you want.
As for the wifi - do u have a clause in your T&Cs about internet usage rules?
9. When you book Grafton, you will be asked to confirm acceptance of our Booking Conditions. These include the terms and conditions for using the Wi-Fi service. The service can be accessed only with the appropriate security code (WEP key) and password. This information will be provided on arrival or shortly before your stay. The terms and conditions require you, and all members of your group, not to disclose the security information to anyone else.
Users of the internet service: -
(a) do so at their own risk, using their own wireless-equipped computing equipment;
(b) understand that as the Broadband service is provided by SKY, they accept the SKY Internet Terms and Conditions;
(c) will not hold the owners of Grafton responsible for any loss or damage, however sustained;
(d) will not use the service for any unlawful purpose or use the service in any way which may violate or infringe the rights of any individual, firm or company or may be construed as defamatory, offensive, abusive, obscene or which may cause unnecessary anxiety or inconvenience to others;
(e) will have properly installed, up to date and functioning Firewall and Anti-Virus software;
(f) will not disclose the security code and/or password to anyone outside the family or party staying at Grafton.
(g) understand that the internet service is complimentary & free of charge, if for any reason the service is not available or suffers a breakdown there will be no recompense for that loss of service. We reserve the right to suspend or cease WiFi service for improper use or for any technical reason without any liability, cost or notice. The internet we provide is suitable for normal use of emailing & searching websites. It is not suitable for heavy usage, business purposes, downloading TV programmes & films, streaming etc. Usage will be monitored & excessive usage will be charged for by deduction from the security/key deposit. Equipment is not to be left permanently connected to the internet. Please disconnect when not in use
This is partially copied from the SKY regulations & partly cribbed (with permission) from others on LMH when this subject was discussed before.
Feel free to use any of it you want.
wow - you have been unlucky.
My first question is do you take a security deposit? If not, introduce one immediately would be my advice.
Not sure what you do about the internet....others will have better advice, but you certainly need to do something, as you will be legally responsible should the s##t hit the fan.
Can you downgrade the service so it's not fast enough to download stuff?
My first question is do you take a security deposit? If not, introduce one immediately would be my advice.
Not sure what you do about the internet....others will have better advice, but you certainly need to do something, as you will be legally responsible should the s##t hit the fan.
Can you downgrade the service so it's not fast enough to download stuff?
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akwe-xavante
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- Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2015 3:19 pm
- Location: East Yorkshire
Thank you kyreniagirl for the T&C's.
I have T&C's but clearly I need to beef them up a bit, but who reads them though, not many I'm sure.
I'm monitoring my own online activities over the next week to try and establish what an individuals normal online activity would be before I impose restrictions on guests.
Bookings are taken by an agent and bonds / deposits are not allowed.
I have T&C's but clearly I need to beef them up a bit, but who reads them though, not many I'm sure.
Down grading the service is not an option but I can implement rules controlling / restricting usage such as capping an individual or a group of individuals download speed and I can restrict an individual or a group of individuals simultaneous connections.Can you downgrade the service so it's not fast enough to download stuff?
I'm monitoring my own online activities over the next week to try and establish what an individuals normal online activity would be before I impose restrictions on guests.
Bookings are taken by an agent and bonds / deposits are not allowed.
Welcome to the forum; you have been unlucky with the batteries being taken.
I am local to East Yorkshire - Beverley - also having lived in Skirlaugh which is just 4 miles from Hornsea, so I know the area well. Particularly, as an ex-wife worked in the local TSB. However, as I recall there is evidence that the Newbegin area is haunted by the ghosts of dead cats and dogs - some idiot dug a well and they kept falling into it, the water must have been pretty foul - anyway these pet ghosts have a habit of stealing things and have a reputation for nicking tiple A's. So, there you have it - you're officially haunted, put your prices up £50 a week!
I am local to East Yorkshire - Beverley - also having lived in Skirlaugh which is just 4 miles from Hornsea, so I know the area well. Particularly, as an ex-wife worked in the local TSB. However, as I recall there is evidence that the Newbegin area is haunted by the ghosts of dead cats and dogs - some idiot dug a well and they kept falling into it, the water must have been pretty foul - anyway these pet ghosts have a habit of stealing things and have a reputation for nicking tiple A's. So, there you have it - you're officially haunted, put your prices up £50 a week!
Last edited by Essar on Mon Sep 07, 2015 7:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Write something, even if it's just a suicide note"
"There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise"
"As for my amnesia, I've had it as long as I can remember"
Real name: Steve
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"There is no human problem which could not be solved if people would simply do as I advise"
"As for my amnesia, I've had it as long as I can remember"
Real name: Steve
Gender: Male
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Hells Bells
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akwe-xavante
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- Location: East Yorkshire
Thank you to all who have offered help and advice.
Thank you
Having pondered over what to do about batteries and WiFi usage I have decided to do the following.
Batteries, wait a few more weeks to see if I'm just simply unlucky during my first few weeks. This initial problem may just simply stop happening. I'll also look out for the cheapest batteries I can find. If possible I want to avoid spoiling a holiday by putting out "Don't do this, don't do that, do this" notices all over the place. If it continues then i'll have to consider sticky tape or a notice or both.
WiFi issue, the router at the cottage is a professional router so I'm going to have to get my head around how to apply usage rules to guests devices by imposing restrictions on download bandwidth and the number of simultaneous connections allowed. Block P2P network ports and PnP applications and devices. In other words just give them enough to allow unrestricted access to mail, facebook and the BBC iPlayer or Youtube and surf the net generally but not all of them at the same time from any one single device. I'll beef up my T&C's too but who reads them, they get ignored. If someone wants to surf porn or download the latest big movie illegally they'll do it anyway if they are allowed to so.
The best course of action has to be to block them from doing it in the first place. I'm sure that people won't phone and complain that they can't download porn or that pirated movie knowing that what they are wanting to do is illegal in the first place.
Thank you
Having pondered over what to do about batteries and WiFi usage I have decided to do the following.
Batteries, wait a few more weeks to see if I'm just simply unlucky during my first few weeks. This initial problem may just simply stop happening. I'll also look out for the cheapest batteries I can find. If possible I want to avoid spoiling a holiday by putting out "Don't do this, don't do that, do this" notices all over the place. If it continues then i'll have to consider sticky tape or a notice or both.
WiFi issue, the router at the cottage is a professional router so I'm going to have to get my head around how to apply usage rules to guests devices by imposing restrictions on download bandwidth and the number of simultaneous connections allowed. Block P2P network ports and PnP applications and devices. In other words just give them enough to allow unrestricted access to mail, facebook and the BBC iPlayer or Youtube and surf the net generally but not all of them at the same time from any one single device. I'll beef up my T&C's too but who reads them, they get ignored. If someone wants to surf porn or download the latest big movie illegally they'll do it anyway if they are allowed to so.
The best course of action has to be to block them from doing it in the first place. I'm sure that people won't phone and complain that they can't download porn or that pirated movie knowing that what they are wanting to do is illegal in the first place.
can you not block websites via the router? If so look at websites that can or should be blocked. However can you block torrents?
Maybe even ask your ISP what can be done, but that could open a can of worms for you. What to other members here think about that???
Maybe even ask your ISP what can be done, but that could open a can of worms for you. What to other members here think about that???
Never try to out-stubborn your guests.
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akwe-xavante
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- Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2015 3:19 pm
- Location: East Yorkshire
Yes you can, if your router is professional enough, a basic freebee from your ISP will not allow very much at all in the way of customising etc.can you not block websites via the router?
Yes you can, and you can block all P2P applications such as uTorrent, shareaza, bearshare, eDonkey and more and so on.However can you block torrents?
Maybe even ask your ISP what can be done[/qoute]
An ISP cannot do much at all for you unless your paying a serious amount of money for a managed business account perhaps costing £400 to £600 a month!!
A STD domestic ISP would simply say it's the responsibility of the account holder to manage there own safety and security for the people using the service provided.but that could open a can of worms for you
With a professional router there's not a lot you can't do, the problem is understanding the process and implementing it fairly for everybody.
I love Draytek routers, everything from entry level business routers to mid range medium sized business usage. I have two Draytek Vigour 2860n-plus routers, pricey but outstanding value giving a phenomenal amount of control once you get your head around it which isn't easy, not for me anyway.
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akwe-xavante
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Wed Jul 01, 2015 3:19 pm
- Location: East Yorkshire
Since I changed all the batteries for the cheapest I could find nobody has taken or swapped out any of the batteries in the various remotes and torches.
Since I imposed restrictions on bandwidth and simultaneous connections on people at the cottage usage has dropped off and nobody has tried to download music or film for long before giving up.
I've had a couple of phone calls to say the internet connection is slow. I say that it is slow but theirs nothing I can do about it.
When I have a look at log files to see what it is they are doing online I find that they are attempting to download music or film using P2P applications or torrents, the very thing I'm not happy about them doing.
Since I imposed restrictions on bandwidth and simultaneous connections on people at the cottage usage has dropped off and nobody has tried to download music or film for long before giving up.
I've had a couple of phone calls to say the internet connection is slow. I say that it is slow but theirs nothing I can do about it.
When I have a look at log files to see what it is they are doing online I find that they are attempting to download music or film using P2P applications or torrents, the very thing I'm not happy about them doing.