Host Planet: Airbnb, Holiday Let, and Vacation Rental Insights

Send us a text

Property Management Masterclass is a six-part special brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Your AirHost.

Hosted by Holiday Cottage Handbook's James Varley and featuring Your AirHost Co-Founder, Stefan Hoffelner, the series contains a vast range of expert tips to help short-term rental hosts and property managers build successful and sustainable businesses.

Episode 4 focuses on guest communication.

2:01 Communicate as soon as the guest books
2:21 Find out information about the guest
3:20 Send clear and concise check-in instructions
4:11 Respond quickly (within an hour ideally)
5:10 Automated messaging 
6:10 Be flexible in terms of sharing check-in details
7:24 Deliver a great guest experience by asking questions
8:58 Dealing with guests who don’t communicate 
10:20 Digital guidebooks
12:34 Video tutorials 
14:14 When to communicate with guests during their stay
15:33 Incentivise the good review and direct booking
17:18 Communicate in your rental – try using QR codes

Links:

Register for your free ticket to Your Air Success on Friday 8 November at Six Park Place in London (near Green Park tube station): https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Your AirHost: https://www.yourairhost.co.uk/
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Stefan Hoffelner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-hoffelner-6b360955/
Email the show: [email protected]

Send us a text

Property Management Masterclass is a six-part special brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Your AirHost.

Hosted by Holiday Cottage Handbook's James Varley and featuring Your AirHost Co-Founder, Stefan Hoffelner, the series contains a vast range of expert tips to help short-term rental hosts and property managers build successful and sustainable businesses.

Episode 3 focuses on essential amenities.

2:03 Essential amenities, starting with Wi-Fi 
2:36 Hotel quality linen 
3:12 Comfy towels 
3:51 Tea, coffee, and milk
4:07 Welcome gift 
4:22 Work from home space 
5:13 Kitchen essentials 
6:43 Stay in your property to triple check everything
7:58 Desirable amenities for London rentals
8:29 Cater for pets if your location is suitable 
9:15 Hot tubs and EV chargers
10:38 Appealing to affluent guests
12:07 Upselling 

Links:

Register for your free ticket to Your Air Success on Friday 8 November at Six Park Place in London (near Green Park tube station): https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Your AirHost: https://www.yourairhost.co.uk/
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Stefan Hoffelner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-hoffelner-6b360955/
Email the show: [email protected]

Send us a text

Property Management Masterclass is a six-part special brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Your AirHost.

Hosted by Holiday Cottage Handbook's James Varley and featuring Your AirHost Co-Founder, Stefan Hoffelner, the series contains a vast range of expert tips to help short-term rental hosts and property managers build successful and sustainable businesses.

Episode 2 focuses on how to create the perfect listing.

2:14 Start with professional photography
3:28 Description, titles, and SEO tactics
4:55 Try mentioning the best amenity in your title
5:44 Be honest and transparent
7:33 The OTAs you need to be present on
9:09 The importance of direct bookings
11:00 Channel management 
12:19 Guest verification 
14:11 Calendar management 
15:51 Length of stay options

Links:

Register for your free ticket to Your Air Success on Friday 8 November at Six Park Place in London (near Green Park tube station): https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Your AirHost: https://www.yourairhost.co.uk/
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Stefan Hoffelner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-hoffelner-6b360955/
Email the show: [email protected]

Send us a text

Property Management Masterclass is a six-part special brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Your AirHost.

Hosted by Holiday Cottage Handbook's James Varley and featuring Your AirHost Co-Founder, Stefan Hoffelner, the series contains a vast range of expert tips to help short-term rental hosts and property managers build successful and sustainable businesses.

Episode 1 focuses on the basics of hosting, including furnishing your rental, the guest journey, amenities, tech, and much more.

2:15 Furnish the property and define your audience
3:05 Good quality furniture is imperative
4:45 The property must photograph well
5:38 Think about the guest journey 
6:36 Use the property before it’s available to check everything
7:38 Video instructions can be very useful
8:20 Get as much exposure as possible across different platforms
8:53 Always install the best Wi-Fi 
10:35 The rental must be ready from day one
11:47 Bed, Wi-Fi, and sofa are so important 
12:50 Kitchen appliances are vital – make it a home from home
14:02 Health and safety, including fire safety, and carbon monoxide alarms
15:10 The best amenities will depend on your location and target audience
16:42 Essential tech to get started, starting with property management software
17:53 Digital guidebooks
18:10 Insurance and risk management 
20:13 Cleaning and maintenance: check, check, and check again
23:43 It is vital to set expectations for your cleaners (and have back up)
25:38 Insurance

Links:

Register for your free ticket to Your Air Success on Friday 8 November at Six Park Place in London (near Green Park tube station): https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Your AirHost: https://www.yourairhost.co.uk/
James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Stefan Hoffelner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-hoffelner-6b360955/
Email the show: [email protected]

Send us a text

The dreaded abolishment of the furnished holiday lettings (FHL) tax regime is back. It had been hoped this proposal had been kicked into the long grass due to last month’s election – but the new government has stuck with the scheme.

Alistair Handyside, from the Professional Association of Self-Caterers (PASC UK), is leading lobbying efforts – and he is the special guest on today’s show.

During the episode, Alistair outlines what hosts and property managers can do to support the sector, discusses the potential impact of any legislation, and calls on the government to gather extensive data before formulating policy.

3:58 Abolishing the FHL tax regime is back on the agenda
5:34 Working in conjunction with the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers
6:30 There will be significant economic impacts 
7:49 20% of operators will give up if the FHL tax regime is abolished
9:40 What PASC UK would like: get the data first
11:20 The data might surprise the government
15:37 How does this fit with the government’s plans to grow the economy?
16:52 What can operators do to help?
21:35 Rallying the troops for another push 
24:00 Light at the end of the tunnel?
26:26 The case for furnished holiday lets

Links:

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Free ticket for STR Zone on 4-5 October: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/str-zone
Priority list for new e-book: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Alistair Handyside: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-handyside-mbe-4170b216/
PASC UK: https://www.pascuk.co.uk/
PASC UK FHL reports: https://www.pascuk.co.uk/reports/
Update on new FHL abolition paper: https://www.pascuk.co.uk/francis-clark-update-on-fhl-abolition-august-24/
Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5KMN6JY

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

Hosthub: https://www.hosthub.com/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=HCH

Beyond: https://www.beyondpricing.com/products/why-beyond?utm_medium=seo&utm_source=partner-2024&utm_campaign=holiday_cottage_handbook_2024

SuperControl: https://www.supercontrol.co.uk/

Enjoy the show?

Please subscribe, rate, and review! 

Email the show: [email protected]

Send us a text

The focus this week is Vrbo and how to succeed on one of the world’s premier online travel agencies.

Our special guest is James Cassidy, Senior Director – Partner Success Vacation Rentals, Expedia Group.

During the interview, James shares five top tips to achieve success on Vrbo and outlines a host of growing industry trends, including ‘set-jetting’ and ‘go-cations’. 

James picked Sustonica as his favourite brand and gave Merilee Karr a special shout-out.

4:05 James’s story in the short-term rentals industry 
7:31 How much the industry has changed
10:47 Continued growth 
13:08 Focus on Vrbo
16:11 Competing with Airbnb and Booking.com 
20:32 Why hosts should list on Vrbo
24:28 How to increase occupancy
32:48 Optimally presenting your property
33:50 Industry trends
36:40 ‘Set-jetting’
38:25 ‘Go-cations’
40:42 Tip No. 1: Accept and honour the bookings
41:12 Tip No. 2: Cancellation policy flexibility
42:01 Tip No. 3: Provide the best in-stay experience
43:12 Tip No. 4: Price your property effectively 
44:34 Tip No. 5: Keep an eye on changing traveller needs
49:40 Favourite brand: Sustonica
50:45 Individual shout-out: Merilee Karr 
53:17: No. 1 piece of advice: understand the traveller

Links:

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Free ticket for STR Zone on 4-5 October: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/str-zone
Priority list for new e-book: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

James Cassidy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescassidy27/
Expedia Group: https://expediagroup.com/
Vrbo: https://www.vrbo.com/en-gb/

Mentions:

Sustonica: https://www.sustonica.com/

Merilee Karr: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merileekarr/

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

SuperControl: https://www.supercontrol.co.uk/

Orana Stay: https://www.oranastay.com/

Beyond: https://www.beyondpricing.com/products/why-beyond?utm_medium=seo&utm_source=partner-2024&utm_campaign=holiday_cottage_handbook_2024

Enjoy the show?

Please subscribe, rate, and review! 

Email the show: [email protected]

Send us a text

Matt Jeffery, Managing Director and Tax Partner at holiday let tax specialists Zeal, is the special guest on this week’s show.

Matt and his team work with holiday let owners across the UK – helping them pay the right amount of tax, and not a penny more. Zeal’s team of capital allowances specialists and quantity surveyors unlock tax savings for holiday let owners on the purchase, refurbishment, and construction of holiday let properties.

During this episode, learn:

• How Zeal helps holiday let investors 
• Key facts about stamp duty, capital allowances, VAT, and inheritance tax
• Whether you should buy in your personal name or through a limited company 
• Common misconceptions about holiday let taxes

Matt picked Sykes Holiday Cottages as his favourite brand and gave a special shout-out to Alistair Handyside from PASC UK.

To contact Zeal:

• Call: 01633 287898
• Email: [email protected]
• Visit the website: https://gozeal.co.uk/services/industries/hch-furnished-holiday-lets/

3:22 How Zeal helps holiday let investors in the UK
5:22 The holiday let tax landscape
6:22 The infamous spring budget 
7:41 Proposals to abolish the furnished holiday lets tax regime did not make it through parliament
9:15 What the new Labour government might do
13:17 Stamp duty 
16:12 Capital allowances 
18:52 When can you make a claim for capital allowances?
19:26 VAT
22:58 Inheritance tax
25:00 Buy in your personal name or through a limited company?
26:30 Common misconceptions about holiday let taxes
28:09 The process of onboarding new clients 
29:46 Be aware of business rates criteria
31:55 Get in touch with Zeal: [email protected]
34:57 Favourite brand: Sykes Holiday Cottages
35:34 Individual shout-out: Alistair Handyside from PASC UK
36:26 No. 1 piece of tax advice: claim your capital allowances

Links:

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Free ticket for STR Zone on 4-5 October: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/str-zone
Priority list for new e-book: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Matt Jeffery: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-jeffery-156a8245/

Zeal: https://gozeal.co.uk/services/industries/hch-furnished-holiday-lets/

Mentions:

Sykes Holiday Cottages: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/

Alistair Handyside: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-handyside-mbe-4170b216/

PASC UK: https://www.pascuk.co.uk/

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

SuperControl: https://www.supercontrol.co.uk/

Orana Stay: https://www.oranastay.com/

Beyond: https://www.beyondpricing.com/products/why-beyond?utm_medium=seo&utm_source=partner-2024&utm_campaign=holiday_cottage_handbook_2024

Enjoy the show?

Please subscribe, rate, and review! 

Email the show: [email protected]

Send us a text

Cynthia Huang, the Co-Founder and CEO of Dtravel, is the special guest on today’s show.

During this episode, Cynthia talks about founding Dtravel – a platform that connects travellers directly with vacation rental owners.

During this episode, learn:

• Cynthia’s journey in the short-term rentals industry
• The reasons for launching Dtravel
• Why hosts need to understand the power of AI
• Why investors should be looking much further than their hometown

Cynthia picked Ministry of Villas as her favourite brand and gave a special shout-out to Mark Simpson from Boostly.

3:47 Cynthia’s story in the short-term rentals industry 
6:39 Airhosts Forum: https://airhostsforum.com/
7:15 Founding Dtravel
12:13 What is the blockchain?
13:54 Who is Dtravel built for?
16:34 How to set up your properties on Dtravel and attract direct bookings
19:00 You don’t have to get paid in Bitcoin! 
20:29 Dtravel only takes a 3% transaction fee on bookings
21:14 Why hosts and property managers should be using Dtravel 
24:24 Anyone around the world can use Dtravel
26:10 Why hosts need to be aware of the power of AI
28:15 Top tips for investors: consider buying in Albania 
32:04 Favourite brand: Ministry of Villas
32:29 Individual shout-out: Mark Simpson from Boostly 
33:36 No. 1 lesson learned from being CEO of Dtravel

Links:

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Free ticket for STR Zone on 4-5 October: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/str-zone
Priority list for new e-book: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Cynthia Huang: https://www.linkedin.com/in/imcynthia/
Dtravel: https://www.dtravel.com/

Mentions:

Ministry of Villas: https://www.ministryofvillas.com/

Mark Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmarksimpson/

Boostly: https://boostly.co.uk/

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

Hosthub: https://www.hosthub.com/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=HCH

Apollo 3D: https://www.apollo3d.co.uk/fhl/

Search and Stay: https://www.searchandstay.com/

Enjoy the show?

Please subscribe, rate, and review! 

Email the show: [email protected]

Send us a text

Fiona Campbell, CEO of the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers, is the special guest on today’s show.

Fiona is playing a key role in lobbying the Scottish government after the introduction of a controversial licensing scheme – which data suggests is having a disastrous effect on the short-term rentals industry and the wider tourism sector.

During this episode, learn:

• The impact of licensing on Scotland’s STR businesses 
• How major events like the Edinburgh Festival are being affected
• What Fiona would say to Keir Starmer and John Swinney
• Lobbying efforts – what’s the end goal?

Fiona picked Key Data and SuperControl as her favourite brands, and gave a special shout-out to Alistair Handyside, Chair of the Professional Association of Self-Caterers (PASC UK).

2:31 Fiona’s story in the self-catering industry
3:52 How things have changed during 22 years of hosting
5:55 Stay at Fiona’s place: https://mansefieldhouse.co.uk/
7:11 What is going on in Scotland?
11:30 What do hosts and managers in Scotland need to do now?
14:19 The impact of licensing on Scotland’s STR businesses 
16:55 The impact on tourism
18:58 The impact on major events, like the Edinburgh Festival
21:10 Are hotels the big winners?
21:46 ASSC lobbying efforts – what’s the end goal?
23:36 How the new UK government might change things
24:28 Fiona’s message to Keir Starmer and John Swinney
25:10 How people in Scotland can support the ASSC
26:44 What can the UK and the rest of the world learn from Scotland?
28:51 The importance of data in the legislation process 
32:06 Favourite brands in the STR industry: Key Data and SuperControl
32:57 Individual shout-out: Alistair Handyside, from PASC UK
33:43 No. 1 lesson learned: it is possible to push water uphill! 

Links:

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Free ticket for STR Zone on 4-5 October: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/str-zone
Priority list for new e-book: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Fiona Campbell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionaccampbell/
Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers: https://www.assc.co.uk/

Mentions:

Key Data: https://www.keydatadashboard.com/products/prodata?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=holiday_cottage_handbook

SuperControl: https://www.supercontrol.co.uk/

Alistair Handyside: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-handyside-mbe-4170b216/

PASC UK: https://www.pascuk.co.uk/

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

Hosthub: https://www.hosthub.com/?utm_source=affiliate&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=HCH

Apollo 3D: https://www.apollo3d.co.uk/fhl/

Search and Stay: https://www.searchandstay.com/

Enjoy the show?

Please subscribe, rate, and review! 

Or, if you really enjoy our content, buy us a coffee: 
https://buymeacoffee.com/hchpodcast

Email the show: [email protected]

Send us a text

Vered Raviv Schwarz, President and COO of Guesty, is the special guest on today’s show.

Guesty is one of the leading property management solutions in the short-term rentals industry – whether you run one property or hundreds.

During this episode, learn:

• Why companies need to think big from day one
• Why Guesty stands out from the crowd
• Guesty’s growth plans
• STR trends
• Tips for hosts and property managers

2:35 Vered’s career journey: journalism, law, tech, and short-term rentals
5:41 Growing a company: think big from the outset
7:32 The importance of having an end goal
9:37 Joining Guesty and making an impact on global trends
12:23 The STR industry is the new kid on the block
14:53 Guesty elevator pitch
18:53 What marks Guesty out from the crowd
20:25 Helping hosts scale
21:19 Guesty’s growth plans
23:28 More consolidation in the PMS space
25:46 STR industry trends
28:16 Vered’s top tips for hosts and property managers
31:09 Favourite brand in the STR space: Breezeway
31:38 Individual mention: Amy Hinote
32:36 No. 1 lesson learned

Links:

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/
Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/
Free ticket for STR Zone on 4-5 October: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/str-zone
Priority list for new e-book: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Vered Raviv Schwarz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vered-raviv-schwarz/
Guesty: https://www.guesty.com/

Mentions:

Breezeway: https://www.breezeway.io/
Amy Hinote: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amymutual/

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

Apollo 3D: https://www.apollo3d.co.uk/fhl/

Touch Stay: https://touchstay.com/?utm_source=HolidayCottageHandbook&utm_medium=email+social&utm_campaign=airbnb

Beyond: https://www.beyondpricing.com/products/why-beyond?utm_medium=seo&utm_source=partner-2024&utm_campaign=holiday_cottage_handbook_2024

Search and Stay: https://www.searchandstay.com/

Enjoy the show?

Please subscribe, rate, and review! 

Email the show: [email protected]