Quality guidance
Our properties are inspected and rated each yea using the National Self Catering Quality standard as a benchmark. The aim is for our properties to achieve a 4 to 5 Star standard which is where we find the most demand throughout the year.
For a better understanding of the requirements of the National Quality Standard please click here.
What affects Quality?
Whatever the style, age or design of your holiday home, both quality and comfort is what your guests will be looking for. This should extend through the property giving a consistent look and feel. In today's competitive holiday cottage market guests have increasing expectations in standards of accommodation and in general, they are looking for:
Living & Kitchen Areas
Good quality and comfort of furniture
Attractive, well co-ordinated décor and soft furnishings
Space and comfort sufficient for the maximum number of guests that the property can sleep
Extra touches to enhance their stay, such as WiFi, modern TVs & DVD players, sound/music systems and outdoor facilities
Well equipped, easy to use kitchens with a range of modern appliances
Bedrooms & Bathrooms
Good quality and comfort of the bed(s)
Good quality of bed linen, pillows and duvets with bed(s) being well presented
Attractive, well co-ordinated décor and soft furnishings
Extra touches that make the rooms more welcoming
The quality of bathroom fittings and towels
Ease of use: bedrooms and bathrooms can offer good ease of use, if well designed, without necessarily being large and spacious
Cleanliness
Cleanliness is of paramount importance to all customers, whether they have booked a 1 Star property or a 5 Star property. It is expected that all properties are cleaned throughout before guests arrive. In our opinion, it is crucial that a property is well prepared at the start of the season, meaning it has a full spring clean, carpets are cleaned (particularly if they are showing signs of use), linen, bedding and towels are checked and updated where required, and a thorough review of the condition of all kitchen equipment such as crockery, glasswear, pots & pans is carried out.
Recommended minimum requirements for holiday letting
• A property should have a modern bathroom and kitchen that is maintained annually to combat any wear and tear.
• Properties should be equipped for the maximum number of people it can accommodate (in terms of furniture, equipment and bedding).
• Bedrooms should have drawers and hanging space for clothing.
• Mattresses should be of a good quality and are comfortable. They should be clean and unstained.
• All properties must provide duvets (preferably not feather due to allergies) & mattress protectors on all beds, together with two pillows per person (again, preferably not feather). Duvets and mattress protectors should be laundered annually (or replaced if stained) and pillows replaced regularly. It is standard practice for linen to be provided, with beds made ready for arrival, and towels for guests use.
• Kitchen equipment should be plentiful and of a good standard; for instance chipped crockery or glasses should be replaced, as should burnt saucepans or baking trays.
• All properties should have a thorough spring clean before their lettings start each year. A few deeper changeover cleans mid-season are also recommended to maintain standards if there have been back to back bookings.
• Properties with outside space must provide adequate external dustbins in a suitable location for refuse collections (i.e. without the tenants having to move them).
• Unless local to our offices, properties need to have a key safe fitted externally in order that tenants can gain access to the property upon arrival (we can arrange this on your behalf). This should also be considered for local properties to allow ease of access for late arrivals.
• A visitor’s book should be left for comments and suggestions as this will provide invaluable feedback to help improve levels of customer satisfaction.
• All properties should meet current Fire, Health and Safety requirements following a assessment of the risks and steps to be taken to help keep guests safe - please click here for our latest guidance on current Statutory Minimum Requirements.
By effectively planning and preparing your property in advance, your guest’s expectations will be met and, as a consequence, they are likely to have a trouble free holiday, returning time and time again.
If you are in any doubt about quality or presentation please take advantage of our Free Advisory Service - call us on 01983 617322 where we will be glad to help.