holiday letting to the UK market

[franciss]

Hi,

My mother has a house in France but is not too internet savvy. For the UK holiday market what would be a good website to use? E.g. easy / good rates. Any recommendations or tips on who to definitely avoid?

Thanks very much

[P-D de Rouffignac]

I would suggest you consider using a local agency, with an established holiday rental market and portfolio of properties they already manage. Okay, they charge a commission but in return take care of bookings; take deposits, guarantees, payments and repayments; handling changeovers and cleaning; are on hand to sort out inevitable problems - lost keys, plumbing mishaps, breakdowns, unruly tenants (it happens!) etc etc. You are probably too late for this season, though agencies can also handle last-minute bookings - people who arrive on spec looking for a rental for a few days.

Note in general that holiday apartment/house bookings were down in 2010 (by up to 30% in some areas) due in part to increased competition from camping sites or holiday villages featuring modern chalets and all facilities. In may area (Mediterranean coast south of Perpignan) the downturn in apartment/house rentals bas been blamed on owners neglecting to modernise and refresh their properties, hoping to pick up another summer of rentals without too much effort. Holidaymakers are now expecting the same standards they would enjoy at home.

Two examples: a block of holiday apartments in Perpignan has recently failed, largely because the market is tight, and four more hotels (large chains) have appeared, including brand new self-catering suites, with their national/international booking expertise. Second, a friend with a holiday villa on the coast normally expects 6 to 8 weeks rentals in summer, so far nothing for July and only three weeks in August.

Hope this helps, even if it is not what you want to hear - P-D de R.

[Val_2]

I suggest too that you forget the UK holiday market as the main target, there are more Europeans who come to France as well as the french themselves. Its the same in the building trades, we have andhave had for over ten years 99% french clientele as the brits have disappeared in this region compared to the 90's.