Tag: rental

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Cottage Life

Cottage Q&A: Should we disclose that we’re renting out the cottage?

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We’re no longer using our cottage as frequently as we used to, but we aren’t ready to sell. We want to start renting it out. Should we tell our neighbours that this is our plan?—Torrie Samson, via email

Yes. A million times, yes. Reverse the situation: “Would you want to be advised?” asks Suzanne Nourse, an etiquette consultant with the Protocol School of Ottawa. “Well, then, there’s your answer.”

We certainly understand why you’re asking. Renters get blamed for all kinds of lakeside sins: playing loud music, partying late, drinking too much, setting off fireworks, attracting bears, owning poorly trained dogs, parenting children who shriek all of the time while swimming…You’re probably dreading a tense and uncomfortable conversation. But telling them “is 100 per cent the polite thing to do,” says J.T. Lowes with All-Season Cottage Rentals in Haliburton, Ont. “We encourage all of our owners to let their neighbours know that they are renting.”

That said, you’re best not to open the door to a discussion by making it seem as if you’re asking their permission (“Would you be okay if…”). Instead, say something like, “ ‘Just giving you a heads-up, the cottage is being rented for the first two weeks of July,’ ” says Nourse. If the neighbours respond that they’re not comfortable with that plan, “I would bite my tongue from saying, ‘Well, that’s not up to you,’ ” says Nourse. “And ask them, ‘Is there anything in particular that you’re concerned about?’ Ask them to be specific, but don’t be confrontational.”

Assure your neighbours that you’ll be vetting the renters and that you’ll have clear rules in place about noise, music, pets, water safety, etc. (Because you will, right?) 

“And let them know that they can alert you when someone is not following those rules, or if they feel that things are getting out of hand,” suggests Jay Simpson, the owner of A Shuswap Holiday in Lee Creek, B.C. One snag: this could backfire if something does go wrong, and the neighbours call expecting an immediate response—not realistic if you live far away. 

In that case, “it’s best to have someone local involved—for example, a property management company,” says Simpson. “That way, if there’s a problem at any time, the neighbours can call someone to go over and have a talk with the renters if need be.” (Bonus? It would also give the renters someone local to call: “We don’t know what’s wrong, but now the toilet just won’t flush!”) 

Good luck, and happy renting.

Got a question for Cottage Q&A? Send it to answers@cottagelife.com.

This article was originally published in the May 2022 issue of Cottage Life magazine.

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Cottage Life

What you should look for in a cottage if you plan to rent out

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Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic sent city dwellers rushing towards cottage country, cottage prices have been soaring. It’s why many buyers decide to rent out their cottage to balance the cost of the investment. 

“Many more buyers are interested in renting out their cottage,” says Catharine Inniss, a realtor who’s been selling real estate in Muskoka for 16 years. “Some clients think they’ll use it themselves a little bit while they rent it out for a few years, and then eventually, they’ll use it solely as their own cottage or they’ll move up here.” Here are five things to look for in a cottage if you plan to rent it out. 

1. Local rental rules

Different areas may have different rules regarding short-term accommodations. 

“The rules can change from township to township,” Inniss points out. “People really need to use a local realtor who knows what the rules are. It would be a shock if you were counting on that money and then you weren’t allowed to rent out your place.” Even if short-term rentals are allowed, you may need to spend money on a short-term rentals licence. Research the rules before you buy. 

2. Location 

If you’re going to be depending on that rental income, you’ll need to determine just how much you can charge for rent. Some of the biggest factors are the area and nearby amenities. 

“Are there activities around that people are going to want to participate in?” Inniss asks. “If you’re coming up for a week or two, you might want to go to a local fair or somewhere for lunch.” She adds that prospective buyers should do a bit of research to see how popular the area is for renters or how much comparable cottages in the area are being rented for. 

3. Accessibility

A water-access cottage might be more affordable, but will also be less desirable for some renters? The same is true for a cabin that’s deep in the woods, less accessible in the winter, or simply too far from more populated areas. Before pulling the trigger on a cottage, consider whether renters will want to tackle the challenge of getting there. 

4. Cell phone reception and internet access

To some renters, Netflix may be just as important to their holiday as the sunset. But reliable internet service in cottage country can be costly, if it’s even available at all. 

“It’s a huge factor,” says Inniss, about cottages having phone and internet access. “Yes, some people want to disconnect, but others might need to work a day or two but want to come up with their family.” Reliable internet will also be important when guests need to communicate with you during their stay. 

5. Appealing to the broadest group

If you’re planning to rent out your cottage, your personal tastes may not be the first priority, Inniss says. Appealing to more potential renters means seeking out things like ample sleeping capacity, a winterized cottage for year-round use, parking for multiple cars and privacy from neighbouring properties.

“Even something being kid-friendly,” Inniss says. “Is it on a cliff, or are there a lot of stairs down to the water? That’s something you’d want to think about before renting.”

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Cottage Life

Why a bad review can make or break your listing

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Your cottage might look like the perfect oasis, but experienced hosts know that the key to a successful rental listing goes way beyond appearances. According to Vrbo, the online vacation rental marketplace, as many as 92 per cent of travellers want to see reviews before booking. That means the next review could make or break your listing.

“Reading reviews and caring about previous experiences is something that really resonates with travellers,” says Mary Zajac, a spokesperson for Vrbo. “There’s so many choices. People want to ensure that what they’re getting from their experience is matching their expectations.”

Reviews are also an important part of how hosts gain trust and credibility on rental platforms. On Vrbo, you can earn a Premier Host badge if you meet certain criteria, including a minimum average rating. That recognition will boost your listing in search results. Bad reviews, on the other hand, could sink it.
“Reviews definitely play a role and are a factor in the ranking of your overall listing,” confirms Zajac. A poorly reviewed listing will be seen less often and be far less attractive to those that do see it. And less demand means lower rates.

A bad review of your cottage could be the result of broken items, inaccurate descriptions of amenities, lack of cleanliness, poor communication, or rambunctious next door parties.

Thankfully, they aren’t common. According to Vrbo research, 80 per cent of reviews are positive, while only four per cent are negative. So, instead of worrying whether that bad review will ever come, try to focus on encouraging every guest to leave a review. Here’s a few tips:

  • Prepare them: Let your guests know ahead of time that they’ll be asked to review the property. This friendly reminder will show them you prioritize positive reviews.
  • Review the guest: Zajac suggests leaving a review for the guest as soon as you can, doing so will prompt the guest to leave a review of their own.
  • Help them with ideas: When you follow up with your guest after their stay, get them talking about their experience. This will give them a couple of ideas to write about when leaving their review.

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Cottage Life

This is the best time to book a summer cottage rental

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It’s not too early to book your summer cottage rental. While you’re stuck in the snowy depths of winter, it may be a good time to consider fantasizing—and planning— your summer cottage getaway. Leave the booking too late, and there’s a high likelihood you’ll be left high and dry when it comes to finding a cottage in a highly competitive marketplace.

According to the rental agency sites, December to February is the ideal time to plan and select your cottage for the summer. While this may seem early, booking agencies are seeing cottages book up incredibly quickly—especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. For one, pandemic fears have driven people to the relative isolation of a cottage, while others who would have normally travelled abroad have had to adjust their plans to vacation more local. People that book later in the spring risk losing out on cottages that meet their must-have checklist and will be left to chance it with last-minute cancellations or a few newly-listed rentals in the spring.

July and August are typically the busiest times to find a rental, as well as long weekends. Booking well in advance is also a good idea if you are looking for a cottage for two or more weeks, as other renters’ reservations for a shorter time period can cut your intended stay short. Also, if you’re looking for a cottage for 10–12 people, reserve early as these places are in high demand and tend to fill up first. The same goes if you’re looking to bring your pet along.

Most booking sites allow you to book well in advance, and most booking sites will give you a full refund for a cancellation if you cancel by a certain date. Of course, if your plans are not quite set in stone, (understandable, if you’re booking 6–8 months in advance) be sure to be clear on the booking site’s cancellation and refund policies before you lock in your rental.