Top 5 questions from renters.

After a couple of years of renting cottages at Serenity Vacation Rentals we noticed that we get the same questions over and over for people who are looking to rent. So, if you have a cottage that you rent these are some of the things that the renters ask about and are looking for.

• What does the cottage have and what do I need to bring? Make sure that you have a list of what you have equipped the cottage with and what they need to bring. From linens to outdoor toys and most specifically what is provided in the kitchen. We are often asked about kettles, toasters and what pots and pans are included. But the most common question if there is a coffee maker and if so, what kind so that they know if they need to for example Keurig bring coffee pods versus ground coffee for a drip coffee maker. The more detailed the list the better.
• Do you allow pets? Be very clear on what your policy is with pets. If you are going to allow pets how many pets will you allow? What types of pets will you allow? If you have a smaller cottage and only want small dogs for example, you need to be clear that you allow for example, 1 dog not larger than 40 lbs, The other part of allowing pets is being clear in what you provide to the renter about your expectations. Examples of this is that you are required to clean up after your dog on the property. Are you allowing animals on the furniture or not? The clearer you are with your expectations and rules the less chance there is for issues to occur between owner and renters.

• Is there anything provided to use in the water? With all the non-motorized water toys available, people who are renting want to know what things there are to do at the cottage. So, list out what you have at the cottage that is available for the renters to use such as canoes, pedal boats, floating mats, and stand-up paddles boards. The other thing to list is how many life jackets you have and if they are adult, child, or baby sizes. We usually list what is there and indicate that it is the renter’s responsibility to ensure each person has a proper fitting flotation device.

• Do you have Internet? While we think of the cottage as a place to unplug and relax in nature this is a question we are asked about a lot. Some of the use is for streaming Netflix movies in the evening, to monitoring social media and staying in touch with friends and family. That generally doesn’t require much. With COVID has come the ability to work remote. We have seen the rental of cottages skyrocket through COVID where people were looking for a change of scenery now that they could work anywhere. So, for people who are planning to do work remote there may be a need for a stronger and stable signal.
• What is nearby? This is an important question for renters. Renters need to know how far the closest grocery store, corner store, LCBO and gas station are for essentials they may need. The other thing is that not everyone who rents a cottage plans to spend all their time at the cottage. Many like to explore the area they are renting in. We suggest you provide them with the local attractions, good restaurants, wineries, local breweries, and museums. Also, boat rentals, golf courses and any outdoor activities like hiking trails are a great thing to provide too.

These are the most common questions we get about cottages. As always, we look forward to hearing from you!

Happy Cottaging!