8 Things To Know Before Renting Out Your Holiday Home

Renting out your second house as a vacation home is a big decision. And like any big decision, you need to think about a hundred different things before casting the die. The number of factors to consider in this case can often be overwhelming, but SaffronStays is here to help you out. We’ve narrowed it down to 8 things you need to know before renting out your holiday home. Trust us, it’s easier than it looks!

1. Expenses precede profits

Yes, renting out your home can be a lucrative source of income. But in the beginning, it requires a hefty investment. Consider maintenance costs, utility bills, staff salaries, insurance payments, advertising costs and prevailing tax laws. So while allotting a certain portion of your finances towards the holiday home, ensure that you have enough savings to sustain yourself until the business takes off. 


2. Remodeling is worth the cost

A holiday home is different from a regular home. You want to give your guests the best vacation vibes and that calls for some preparation. From the colour of the walls and furnishings, to basic necessities like toiletries and cooking appliances, to entertainment amenities like board games and bikes, you should rent out a holiday home that exudes a holiday atmosphere. Make it so that guests not only have a good time but also want to return!


3. Locality is an important selling point

Guests on holiday are unlikely to stay indoors all the time. So it’s best to get to know the surrounding area as well as you can. This way, you can save your guests a lot of Google searching and instead offer them a list of the top nearby restaurants, adventure sports or any other attractive features. In fact, this is a great way to sell your house as not just a rental but a complete holiday package!


4. Understanding your guests is key

Before you start marketing your house, understand what kind of guests will appreciate it. Senior citizens favour homes without a lot of stairs. Families with small children prefer spacious homes with amenities to keep the kids entertained. Couples prioritise privacy and look for romantic nooks like hot tubs. Understanding which guests will enjoy your home will help you reach out to the right people. 


5. Rental agreements exist to protect you

As you go through the process of renting out a holiday home to total strangers, you want to feel safe. The easiest way to do this is to ensure your rental agreement covers all kinds of situations. It will have your back in case of any misunderstandings of check-in and check-out dates, extra payable services, or even damaged property. So invest time and money in a tight, legal agreement and secure your future.


6. You need to be a people person 

Communication is key when it comes to giving guests a hassle-free experience. This includes promoting your home to potential guests, getting all the paperwork done smoothly and informing them of all the house rules. And at the same time, you must cater to their needs and keep things as easy as possible. So if you’re serious about renting out a holiday home, it’s time to turn up the charm!


7. Difficult tenants are a possibility

While most of your guests will come and go with ease, there could be that one odd guest who will stir up some trouble. But there’s no need to worry since there are several ways to be prepared. Background checks help weed out unsuitable persons but if that is not an option, a comprehensive tenancy agreement and charging a security deposit will do the same. You can also keep a record of all valuable objects in the house as well as take out some insurance. 


8. It’s time consuming

Last but not the least, you will need to invest as much time as money in this project. From redesigning your house to communicating with guests, every aspect of renting out a holiday home will require your time and attention. But if everything goes right, the result could pay you back tenfold!


Renting out your holiday home does come with a lot of responsibility. You not only need to be good at making your home guest-friendly but also adept at marketing it, and managing the logistics. But why not let SaffronStays take some weight off your shoulders? As an experienced partner in the field of vacation rentals, SaffronStays will manage your property with expertise and you can still reap all the benefits!

Ready to start? Here are some tips on giving your guests the best experience.


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Your Ultimate Guide to Hill Station Villas

villas in hill stations

“You are not in the mountains
The mountains are in you” – John Muir

Celebrated for their picturesque views and refreshing atmosphere, the misty hill stations are pretty much on everyone’s travel bucket list. A perfect escape from the scorching heat and the chaotic city life, these hills offer serenity that a city seldom might.

Ever imagined living in a house located at the top of the hill station amidst lush greenery and misty atmosphere? Stay within the clouds and open up your windows to the prolific green foliage as you absorb the warmth of the sun rays. This winter, cuddle up with your loved ones by the bonfire as you experience the night chills.

Are the hill stations still not on your bucket list? The homes located on the hills offered by SaffronStays will you have you packing up your bags and hopping on to the next trip here.

Check out below 5 of the best hillside homes SaffronStays has to offer:

SaffronStays Verandah by the Valley, Panchgani

Verandah Sunrise Valley Hill Station

True to its name, SaffronStays Verandah by the Valley is literally perched on the edge of the valley. This quaint 2-Bedroom home is located in the village of Ghodawali at Panchgani.

You get to experience the chilly breeze and earthy smell as you walk along the muddy paths surrounding the house and explore the wilderness around.

Not to forget the well known Panchgani Table Land and other amazing view points are just a few kilometers away from the home. So take your family for a travel expedition, explore these scenic landscapes and pick out juicy strawberries this season right from the fields!

Well, if you’re up for stargazing and soulful conversations, the rooftop terrace is the best place you can be. Have candle light dinners and watch the village lights shimmer in the valley under a starry sky.

Starry night Valley Candle Light

Quite sure, this home in the misty hill station of Panchgani will leave you with amazing memories to ponder on!  

SaffronStays Kurinji Estate, Kodaikanal

Hill station Estate Clear Skies

Located in the misty hill station of Kodaikanal bordered by evergreen forests, this old Thanjavur-styled bungalow takes you back to experience the magic of the 1900’s

Recipient of the Most Memorable Home in a Forest, this home with it’s finest Tamilian hospitality is sure to make your stay worthwhile. Give yourself a break from the chaotic city life and cosy up around the bonfire.

Wake up to an amazing view of the 9-acre lush green property right from the Machan which is the best place to relax with a steaming cup of tea and a good book.

For those who’d rather step out, the estate boasts of beautiful, well-maintained gardens with stunning views of Kodai Valley.

So, if the hill station of Kodaikanal is on your bucket list this year, then SaffronStays Kurinji Estate with its impeccable Tamil hospitality is a definite must-stay!

SaffronStays Milton Abbott Estate, Ooty

Ooty Estate HillStation

Quite sure the queen of hill stations: Ooty is been on your mind! SaffronStays Milton Abbott Estate is the cherry on top for your trip to Ooty. This colonial bungalow surrounded by breathtaking views transports guests into another realm with its heritage charm.

This heritage home with it’s 4 classic suites can house upto 16 guests. The more the merrier, so bring along your larger groups and have the most insane trip ever!

Don’t forget to dine on the most scrumptious and authentic Sri-Lankan/Tamilian cuisine that is sure to make you go gaga over it.

moonlit night, starry night, dining

Love sightseeing? Visit the Indu Films factory, All India Radio and Ooty Golf Course which are quite close to the property.

With scenic spots, fantastic hospitality and an incomparable old world charm, SaffronStays Milton Abbott Estate is the ideal Ooty escape!

SaffronStays Parsi Manor, Matheran

Parsi Villa

This little pad of solace and solitude awaits your presence. SaffronStays Parsi Manor is a must visit on your trip to this hill station of Matheran. It is a perfect place to escape the noise and bustle of the city.

Take in the unavoidable charm of this 130 year-old parsi villa which offers a blend of vintage Parsi interiors along with modern amenities. Have a cup of hot Irani chai while you watch the nature at it’s finest from the cosy verandahs.

Located in the heart of this hill station, this vintage villa gives you the chance to reconnect with Nature from a prime location.

SaffronStays Calamondinn Bungalow, Coorg

Bungalow

Well known for it’s breathtakingly exotic and lush greenery, Coorg is the most ideal hill station visit. Make your visit more effectual by staying at SaffronStays Calamondinn Bungalow.

A perfect retreat for nature lovers, this home is nestled amidst abundant greenery, scenic landscapes and coffee plantations.

Simply relax with a book, watch the colorful birds. Engage in nostalgic conversations and enjoy cool evenings with your favorite drink and home cooked meals.

Things you could do while you visit:
*Baking workshops to test your skills by the host himself.
* Visit Beekeeping demonstration area
* Plantation Visit (on request)
* Visit Nagarhole National Park
* Adventure and nature trails

mud trails, greenery, nature, surroundings

Known for its Couple Retreat private cottages, plan a romantic surprise for your loved ones. Explore several walking trails leading to the surroundings of the coffee plantation.

Come experience this unique property and our hospitality. We promise it will be an experience of a lifetime.

Book your villas: www.saffronstays.com
Contact us at: book@saffronstays.com | +91 8424040040


Unlock The True Potential of Your Dead Asset

“Home is not a place… it’s a feeling.”

This quote beautifully sums up all the efforts that go into making a home that reflects the owner’s essence. Often, the home that you live in, is not your dreamscape due to various constraints presented by the cities. Hence, people resort to building their vision of a home in offbeat places. Building a vacation home requires meticulous plannings, commitment and months of struggles. But by sheer grit and determination, the vision for your second home becomes a reality.

SaffronStays L'Attitude, Kamshet

Well, the story doesn’t end with the masterpiece created. Constant maintenance, upgrades, managements, and operations follow, which might seem like mild tasks but are big responsibilities. The maintenance of the vacation home in a remote location becomes an inconvenience while keeping up with a busy life and often takes a backseat. It just doesn’t seem fair that the home built with such great care gets neglected. That is where SaffronStays comes to your rescue. A micro-hospitality startup, SaffronStays, exclusively styles, manages, brands and markets vacation homes of HNIs to discerning Indian families as getaways.

SaffronStays Vacation Home Network

Join the SaffronStays Vacation Home Network and turn your prized possession into a real investment. The Vacation Home Network is an exclusive, by-invitation-only club, where your beautiful vacation home can unlock the door to this prestigious network.

SaffronStays Elfreda, Vikramgad

Benefits of Vacation Home Network

More and more people now prefer homestays to the monotonous hotels making this an ideal time capitalise on this momentum and monetise your holiday abode. Watch your home become an earning member while you spend family vacations in homes across the network. The revenue share model also ensures that you get a bigger piece of the pie while the hassles of renting it falls on SaffronStays.

Right from Hospitality Operations to Reservations and Branding, SaffronStays will handle so that you can rent out your home stress-free. The training and supervision of the staff as well as the home will be carried out by SaffronStays. The constant supervision also decreases the possibility of misusing the home.

But, are there any added benefits? Absolutely!
a) The vacation home automatically gets you into the exclusive Club, as a First Family member (to be launched soon).
b) You can also boast about the esteemed guests that you might host in your home.
c) Or, you can also dine off the story of your home being lauded by celebrated travel and lifestyle magazines!

So, sit back, relax and reap the benefits.

Even with all the benefits, apprehensions about giving the home to complete strangers persists. What kind of people will stay in my home? Will the guests respect my home and its belongings? Will my home be safe in the hands of strangers? All these questions regarding your precious home keep buzzing. But, hold on, we at SaffronStays have a solution for that too. The pre-screening of guests will avoid any conflict of interests. It will ensure that like-minded guests who will treat your home as their own, will get the confirmation.

If you would like to see your vacation home in a trusted pair of hands – SaffronStays is the place to go. Write to us at partner@saffronstays.com and we will call you back. Or just click here – https://saffronstays.com/partner

About SaffronStays:

SaffronStays is a micro-hospitality collective, operating a network of over 40 leisure homes, all hand-picked and curated for an enhanced travel experience. Set in untouched and tranquil locales, the lavish stays bring with them the warmth and comfort of a home, while maintaining the standards of a hotel.

Starting out simply as a platform offering homestays, today, SaffronStays partners with privileged owners of second homes to offer patrons a comfortable holiday experience. With SaffronStays, vacations will always be enriching experiences that bring families together and fill one’s soul with happiness! Featured by various esteemed media outlets like the The Times of India, The Economic Times, Business Standard, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet, Outlook India , Little Black Book, HomeGrown, and many more, SaffronStays has established its presence in the hospitality industry.