December is closer than it feels, and the maintenance your holiday home needs has to happen before it arrives, not during it. If you own a short-term rental, now is the time to walk through your property and fix what needs fixing. The hosts who enjoy a smooth festive season are the ones who sorted this out early.

Why guest expectations are higher in December

In December, guests typically pay about double the average rate you charge for the rest of the year. Higher rates bring significantly higher expectations.

Things a guest might overlook in a quieter month will not be overlooked in December, when your rates are at their highest. A tired sofa, a slow drain or a patchy garden may go unmentioned at a standard rate. At a peak rate, they can become review comments.

See your property through your guest’s eyes

Now is the time to take stock. Go through the property and ask what needs to be added and what needs to be updated.

Imagine you were the one paying that December rate. How would you feel about the property if you walked into it today? Be honest, and fix anything that would make you wince.

Good places to start:

 

• • Air conditioning, fans and heating

• • Plumbing, taps and drains

• • Lighting and bulbs

• • Appliances and kitchen equipment

• • Linen, towels and furnishings

• • Outdoor areas, garden and pool

• • Wi-Fi speed and reliability

The cost of leaving it too late

Skipping maintenance usually costs more than doing it. If guests arrive and complain because the property has been neglected, you may have to refund a significant portion of those bookings.

That money could have gone into maintaining the property in the first place. The best time to spend it is now, before the guests arrive, not after they complain.

Schedule it now, not on 1 December

Do not wake up on 1 December and realise the work still needs doing. By then your property will be booked, and any problem becomes a guest complaint and a refund instead of a repair.

Block out time now, so the work gets done before your first December guests arrive:

 

1. 1. Walk the property this week and write down everything that needs attention.

1. 1. Book the repairs and upgrades, starting with anything that affects comfort or safety.

1. 1. Block those dates in your calendar so the work does not clash with bookings.

1. 1. Do a final walkthrough as if you were a paying guest.

Get the maintenance done and you give yourself, and your guests, a smooth and happy December.

Let us take it off your plate

At Euphoric Leisure, we manage over 100 upmarket holiday homes across South Africa, including property upkeep, cleaning coordination and guest communication. If you would like help getting your holiday home ready for December, we would love to chat.

 

• • WhatsApp: 060 019 3545

• • Calls: 087 188 4245

• • Email: [email protected]

• • Website: euphoricleisure.com