• (02) 9194 4411
    • 3 Pillars – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk
    • Adrift – Pet-friendly – 5 min Walk to Bay – Rustic Charm
    • Alkira – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Aloha – Short Drive to Berry & The Beach – Fireplace and Firepit
    • Amaroo – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach – Outdoor Fireplace
    • Anacapri – Pet Friendly – Opposite Beach – Fireplace
    • Anglesey – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Annabel’s Place – Pet Friendly with Fireplace
    • Aqua Beachfront – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Arizona – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Arklow – Pet Friendly with Ocean Views
    • Ayana – Pet Friendly – Directly Opposite Beach – Fireplace
    • Azure Absolute Beachfront – Pet Friendly with Stunning Views
    • Baci Al Mare – Pet Friendly – 3 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Bahia – Pet-Friendly – 10 Min Walk to Bay
    • Bailey’s Retreat – Pet Friendly Waterfront – 10 Mins Walk to Beach – Fireplace and Firepit
    • Banksia – Stunning New Absolute Beachfront
    • Bathers – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Bay Blu – Pet Friendly – Waterfront
    • Bay Gem – Pet Friendly with Spa
    • Bayview – Absolute Waterfront with Jetty – 5 Mins to Hyams Beach
    • Beach Central – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Beach Please – Pet Friendly – 3 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Beachcomber @ Currarong – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Currarong Rockpools
    • Beachway – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Beachwood – Firepit – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to the Beach
    • Blue Breeze – 10 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Blue Wren – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Drive to Beach
    • Bluetongue: Pet Friendly with Spa – 4 Mins to Beach
    • Bluewater Jervis Bay – Pet Friendly with Spa
    • Boho – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Bonnie’s Bliss – 10 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Bower’s Nest – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Breathe – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Bungalow 21 at Jervis – 3 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Burra Beachy – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Burra Days – Pet Friendly – 5 mins Walk to the Beach
    • Buwadi – Pet Friendly – 3 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Callala Beach Walk – Beachfront with Fireplace
    • Callala Calm – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Callala Cottage – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Callala Dreams – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Callala Sunrise – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Callie’s Retreat – Pet Friendly -3 Min Walk to Beach
    • Calming Waters – Pet Friendly – Community Pool
    • Calypso – 4 Mins Walk to Beach – Community Pool
    • Camellia – Pet Friendly – 3 Min Walk to Centre of Berry
    • Clara’s Coastal Cottage – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Clearwater – Absolute Beachfront – Walk onto the beach from the garden!
    • Coastal Capers – Pet Friendly – 10 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Coastal Oasis – Pet Friendly – 6 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Coastal Palms – Pet Friendly – 3 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Coastaway – Pet Friendly – 3 Min Walk to Beach
    • Coca Callala – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Come Wot Mey – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Cork Valley Farm – Escape to 35 Acres in the Country
    • Crystal Bay – Pet Friendly – 3 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Cunjevoi – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Curley’s Sunsets – Pet Friendly – 10 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Curleys Outlook – Pet Friendly Waterfront
    • Da Roost – Family Luxury with Sweeping Coastal Views
    • Delamere – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Eagles Point – Water Views & Spa – Pet Friendly
    • East Side Sands – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Eclipse – Absolute Beachfront with Stunning Views
    • Elliniko – Pet Friendly with Fireplace – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Enchante` – Pet Friendly – Absolute Waterfront – Fireplace
    • Endless Summer – Absolute Beachfront – Pet Friendly
    • Fintry Beach House – Pet Friendly – 10 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Fishery Road Cottage – Newly Renovated – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Fleur de Chalet – Pet Friendly – 10 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Ginger’s – Pet Friendly – 4 Min Walk to Beach
    • Golden Sands – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Grey Gables – Pet Friendly with Pool & Spa
    • Gumnut – Pet Friendly – 8 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Hanalei – Pet Friendly – Directly Opposite Waterfront
    • Havenwood – Pet Friendly – Spa & Community Pool
    • Hayes @ Jervis Bay – Multi Award Winner – 4 Mins to Beach
    • Hidden Orchard – Pet Friendly – Fireplace
    • HighTide – Pet Friendly Beachfront
    • Husky Sands – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Idle Hours – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Illaroo – Absolute Beachfront with Spa
    • Indigo – Pet Friendly – 7 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Innisfree – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins to Beach
    • Island Retreat – Pet Friendly with Swimming Pool
    • Jack’s Culburra – Absolute Waterfront with Fireplace
    • Jervis Bay Beach Shack – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Just Beachy – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Karelda – Pet Friendly – Absolute Waterfront – Stunning Views
    • Keppel – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Kingfisher – Pet-Friendly – 10 Min Walk to Beach
    • Kirkland – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • La Belle Vie – 1 Min Walk to Basin Walking Track
    • La Vista – Water Views & Mountain Vistas
    • Lake House – Pet Friendly – Absolute Waterfront
    • Le Shack – Pet Friendly Waterfront
    • LegaSea Lodge – Pet Friendly Beachfront with Plunge Pool
    • Lemon Drop – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Little Bimbi – Pet Friendly Waterfront
    • Magnolia Cottage – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Drive to Hyams Beach
    • Malda’s Retreat – Pet Friendly Absolute Beachfront with Spa
    • Matilda’s – Pet Friendly – Absolute Beachfront
    • Meeseeks – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Middle Sea – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Mirigaan – Pet Friendly – 8 Min Walk to Beach
    • Monterey Heights – Pet Friendly – Ocean Views
    • Morton Sonas – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Nalu – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Nautilus – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Bay
    • Neptune – Pet Friendly Absolute Beachfront with Stunning Views
    • Nest – Pet Friendly – 2 Min Walk to Beach
    • Ocean Dunes – Absolute Beachfront with Fireplace
    • Oceanside – Pet Friendly Absolute Beachfront
    • On The Lake – Pet Friendly Waterfront
    • Ours & Yours @ Culburra – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Pagoda @ Culburra – Pet Friendly – Short Walk to Beach & Bay
    • Palms – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins to Beach
    • Panorama @ The Lake – Pet Friendly
    • Parkview – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Pax & Coral – Pet Friendly with Amazing Spa
    • Peaceful Palms – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins to Bay
    • Peppertree Jervis Bay – Pet Friendly Beachfront with Sea Views
    • Periwinkle – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Pipers Spot – Pet Friendly with Swimming Pool
    • Reflections – Pet Friendly Waterfront
    • Replenish – Pet Friendly with Spa
    • Rest – Pet Friendly with Outdoor Bath – 3 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Rockpool – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Rockwall – Pet-Friendly – Fire Pit
    • Roskell Retreat – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Salt & Pepper – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Drive to Hyams Beach
    • Salt Water Breeze – Pet Friendly with Spa
    • Saltbush Cottage – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Salty Shores Jervis Bay – 3 Mins to Beach
    • Sanctuary Blue – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins to Hyams Beach
    • Sandy Feet Retreat – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Sandy Paws – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Sandy Rays – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Saoire – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Sapphire Sands – Pet Friendly – Community Pool
    • Scribbly Gum – Pet Friendly – 15 Mins Drive to Hyams Beach
    • Sea and Sun – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins to Beach
    • Sea La Vie – Pet Friendly with Swimming Pool & Spa
    • Seagrass – Pet Friendly – 10 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Seahaven – Pet Friendly with Ocean Views- 2 Mins to Beach
    • Seascape – Absolute Beachfront with Stunning Views & Fireplace
    • Seaview – Pet Friendly with Stunning Views – 1 Min to Beach
    • Serene – Pet Friendly with Swimming Pool
    • Shiloh Shores – Pet Friendly with Fire Pit – 5 Mins to Beach
    • Shores – Pet-Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Sirius Retreat – Pet Friendly – 3 Mins Walk to St. George Basin
    • Sole e Mare – Pet Friendly – Community Pool
    • Solymar – Adjacent to Beach – Pet Friendly
    • Southern Comfort – Pet Friendly with Fireplace – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Spinnaker – Family Getaway – 2mins Walk to Beach
    • Spoondrift – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Summer Salt – Fireplace – 3 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Summer Waters – Swimming Pool & Community Pool
    • Summerlea – Pet Friendly with Swimming Pool
    • Sunbaker – Pet Friendly Awards Finalist – 4 Mins Walk to Culburra Beach
    • Sunfish – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Sunsets – Pet Friendly – 10 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Surfside – Waterfront with Stunning Views
    • Surfspray – Pet Friendly – Absolute Beachfront
    • Swell – Pet Friendly with Swimming Pool – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Tangerine – Pet Friendly – 3 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Thalassa – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • The Anchor – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • The Cabin – Waterfront with Fireplace – 5 mins to the Bay
    • The Coast Beach – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Bay
    • The Crescent @ Currarong – Pet Friendly Beachfront
    • The Dairy @ Cavan, Kangaroo Valley, Stunning Views
    • The Deckhouse – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins to Beach
    • The Oasis – Short Drive to Berry and The Beach
    • The Palings at Culburra – Pet Friendly Masterpiece
    • The Palms Villa – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins to Beach
    • The Relax Shack – Pet Friendly – 8 Mins Walk to Beach
    • The Sands – Pet Friendly – Community Pool
    • The Treehouse – Pet Friendly – 2 Mins Walk to Beach
    • The View @ Culburra – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • The Villa @ Culburra – Pet Friendly – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • The Waterfront House – Pet Friendly – Absolute Waterfront
    • Tilly’s Retreat – Pet Friendly – 3 Min Walk to Beach
    • Time and Tide – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Tranquility – Pet Friendly with Fire Pit – 5 Mins Walk to Basin
    • Unwind – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
    • Villa Franco – Pet Friendly – 8 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Villa Mare @ Culburra – 4 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Villa Zelma – Pet Friendly – 4 Min Walk to Beach
    • Wagtails – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Wander Inn – Pet Friendly – 15 Mins Walk to Jervis Bay
    • Watermans – Absolute Beachfront – Pet Friendly
    • Watts Haus – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Whitewash – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins Walk to Beach
    • Wildwood – Pet Friendly – 5 Mins to Beach
    • WindanSea Cottage – Pet Friendly – Ocean Glimpses
    • Woollamia Weekender – Pet Friendly – Plunge Pool
    • Yelo @ Culburra – Pet Friendly – 1 Min Walk to Beach
The 5 Key Staff That Holiday Rentals Need

The 5 Key Staff That Holiday Rentals Need

Unless you live close to your property, you will require some staff to maintain and clean the property for you. If you do live close to the property and are planning on doing this yourself, be mindful of the amount of work required to both clean and maintain the property and whether it is worth your time to do so. Cleaners remain one of the lowest paid occupations.

Agreements & Contracts - Whatever staff you engage it’s always best to have a professionally written contract or agreement specifying the terms of the engagement. This doesn’t have to be a legal contract drawn up in triplicate-it just needs to set out expectations and fees clearly.

Cleaners

The most important resource you will have are your cleaners therefore it is vitally important that you select the right one. So what should you look for in a cleaner?

1.Ask the cleaner what experience they have and ask them to supply references. Anyone can become a cleaner but not everyone does a good job at it!

2.Ask them how many holiday homes they clean in the area. As a rough guide an average holiday home (3 bedrooms) will take 3 hours to clean. If they are cleaning more than 20 holiday homes they may be overloaded and standards may start to drop.

3.Ask them where they live. The closer they are to your holiday home the better. That way they can assist with any last minute issues that guests may have.

4.If you are supplying linen and towels be sure to ask how much they charge per bed or per bundle of towels.

5.Walk them through the property showing them where you keep supplies and linen. If you can’t be there in person provide them with access via your key safe and ask them to call or skype you so you can walk them through it (you can always change your key safe code afterwards).

6.Many cleaners will also mow lawns, keep gardens tidy and perform maintenance – ask them what other tasks they can perform. It can be more convenient to have them do all of the jobs and it means less invoices to pay.

7.Ensure that they have an email address that they check regularly. With online property bookings the norm, it will be simpler for you to forward booking emails onto them rather than having to text or call them. Also ensure that they provide their mobile number(s).

8.Ask them if they have a checklist that they follow-many may not have this but if you find a cleaner that employs a checklist it is a good sign that they are focused on quality.

Whether they have a checklist or not you should always document what your expectations are with regard to cleaning tasks. Make clear what you required done at each clean as well as cleaning tasks performed weekly, monthly, quarterly or annually (again, refer to Appendix A for an example)

Try to meet prospective cleaners in person and walk them through the property to explain what you expect to be done. If you can’t be there in person set up a call via Skype and do a virtual tour of the property.

Try to avoid the complication of hourly rates and different prices per clean by agreeing set fees per clean and set prices per set of linen.

An owner says…
“We got into a difficult situation with a cleaner who was on an hourly rate. She was spending so much time at the property that our cleaning costs started to skyrocket. Upon further investigation, we found out that she was performing excessive and unnecessarily cleaning tasks to try to improve her income. We created a checklist clarifying exactly what was required per clean and switched her onto a fixed fee per clean which resolved the problem.”

Gardener

If your cleaners don’t look after lawns and gardens then be sure to find someone who does. Make sure that their brief includes wowing lawns and edges as well as trimming and bushes and taking care of weeds.

Be sure to set up a regular schedule for mowing. Guests turning up to an unkempt garden is not a good first impression. If you want to keep costs down, you could ask your staff to send you a photo prior to mowing so that you can give the ok as to whether the mow is required but over time you will get a feel as to what mowing or maintenance frequency is required.

An owner says…
“We hired a gardener to do our lawns and edges and whilst they did a great job they didn’t consider weeding as part of their job! After finding our garden beds and paths covered in weeds we decided to find someone else who would do everything for us.

Handyman

When that curtain rod falls down or a door handle falls off you’ll be needing someone to fix it quickly so that you can minimize the impact to guests. When selecting someone to do this, get them to provide a list of things that they can assist with. Whilst maintenance is not generally a large ongoing expense you will have small repair jobs that will need to be done over the years.

An owner says…
“Some of the repairs that we have had to do include replacing flyscreens, fixing door handles, repairing sticking windows, fixing loose screws on chairs and roller blinds that no longer roll. Maintenance isn’t a large expense at our property but it is important to fix things as soon as there is an issue with them.”

Plumber

Plumbing problems are likely to be infrequent, but blocked drains, dripping taps, faulty toilets or a failed hot water system can ruin a guest’s stay. Again look for a plumber that is close at hand and who is readily contactable 24/7. You may also wish to have a backup plumber in the event that your first plumber is busy.

Electrician

Electrical repairs are uncommon but they do happen. Guests sitting in the dark are not something that you even want to think about! As per plumbers – look for an electrician that is close at hand and who is readily contactable 24/7.

When first setting up the property you may find that you need extra sockets behind beds for lamps. You should also look to install a circuit breaker, particularly if you have young children staying at the property.

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