Prepare your vacation rental for the winter season

Prepare your calendar

Guests prefer to book properties with flexible cancellation policies during winter months. Our partner channel VRBO recently found that more and more guests are applying a free cancellation filter, and 75% of their guests are more likely to book a property with a flexible cancellation policy. With increased amounts of bookings happening over Christmas, we also recommend revisiting your calendar to make sure it is fully prepared to accept bookings. If you operate listings on several platforms, make sure to synchronise calendars. You should also block out any unavailable dates to ensure there’s no room for double bookings or cancellations – which can in turn result in fees. 

Home heating tips

With heating costs on the rise, there are a number of ways you can preserve heat in your vacation rental this winter and be a more sustainable host. Consider using thermal curtains or draught excluders to prevent any potential loss from coming through open areas like doorways and windows cracks. Make sure you have a good supply of extra linen and blankets too! You can also save money by investing in an energy-saving remote thermostat such as Hive heating. These devices let you control the temperature of your home from almost anywhere, which is especially useful for vacation rental hosts who don’t live nearby. Remote thermostats are also eco-friendly, find out more in our sustainability blog.

Christmas decorations

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! One way to make your home feel like it too, is by adding some winter or Christmas decorations. There are so many things you can do, from hanging stockings over fireplace mantels or even adding a Christmas tree for those guests who are staying over the holidays. You could find materials at local craft stores or even use natural materials like holly. Another great touch for the winter season is to have board games in your vacation rental for those cosy nights in. 

Outdoor safety

The outside of your property is just as important as inside during the winter. If you live in an area that experiences heavy snowfall, then it’s essential to prepare for winter by purchasing a shovel and having a supply of salt. Make sure your outside space is also well lit for the winter season and darker nights by having the correct outdoor lighting. Outdoor lights can highlight features like plants or artwork inside homes to create a modern look, whilst also ensuring safety. To save electricity, make sure to place external lights on timers so they come on automatically at night and go off during daylight hours.