Holiday bookings down considerably

Pennylane

This is our third year doing holiday lets on a small property we used to rent long term.  The first two years were excellent and just about fully booked from April to Nov.  Obviously due to covid not many people were going abroad.  I’ve been in touch with our agency and they say our bookings are a lot better than other similar properties in our area. We have received a Customers Choice Award and have excellent reviews. 

We are tied in to their contract but it seems such a shame for it to stand empty.  After Tues we don’t have a booking until end of August. I guess we may get some last minute bookings but I just wondered whether other people on here were in the same position.

El_Torro

I don't own a holiday let so don't have first hand experience. As you say it's probably because a lot of people are choosing to holiday abroad rather than in the UK, which was the norm pre-Covid.

It does seem odd that the property will be empty for most of the school summer holiday. I hope things pick up for you and you get some last minute bookings.

MultiFuelBurner

Yes bookings are down for a popular fishing lake and caravan setup one of my parents runs.

They have 5 star reviews etc and regular bookings again they are in their third year as well.

They noticed a lot more small stays 2/3nights rather than a week this year and still have some gaps in what is termed the busy months.

We all know why the luxuries are the first thing to go.

Alfrescodave

Have you compared the price of your holiday let to other similar local ones? Current high energy costs have forced some owners to up their prices which might affect rental numbers

Soot2006

And yet when I was recently looking for a nice place to go (with dogs) in the UK in July, I couldn't find anything affordable. So we're staying home but treating ourselves to a Christmas in Austria instead, already all booked for much less than a lodge in the UK ... Maybe I am looking in the wrong places, or  maybe others are advertising in the wrong places, but even during Covid I had no trouble finding a simple lodge or caravan for under £1,000 for 6-7 days.

jonnydeppiwish!

Pennylane said:

This is our third year doing holiday lets on a small property we used to rent long term.  The first two years were excellent and just about fully booked from April to Nov.  Obviously due to covid not many people were going abroad.  I’ve been in touch with our agency and they say our bookings are a lot better than other similar properties in our area. We have received a Customers Choice Award and have excellent reviews. 

We are tied in to their contract but it seems such a shame for it to stand empty.  After Tues we don’t have a booking until end of August. I guess we may get some last minute bookings but I just wondered whether other people on here were in the same position.

Could it be similar to house price in the fact that you’re just over charging? Can you change the prices or is that fixed to the agent?

silvercar

How easy is it for potential renters to find you? Are there new websites/ local resources that have sprung up that you aren’t visible on? Think of adding something that will attract a niche group eg welcoming dogs/ installing a hot tub/ kid friendly garden toys/ electric charging etc 

Pennylane

jonnydeppiwish! said:

Pennylane said:

This is our third year doing holiday lets on a small property we used to rent long term.  The first two years were excellent and just about fully booked from April to Nov.  Obviously due to covid not many people were going abroad.  I’ve been in touch with our agency and they say our bookings are a lot better than other similar properties in our area. We have received a Customers Choice Award and have excellent reviews. 

We are tied in to their contract but it seems such a shame for it to stand empty.  After Tues we don’t have a booking until end of August. I guess we may get some last minute bookings but I just wondered whether other people on here were in the same position.

Could it be similar to house price in the fact that you’re just over charging? Can you change the prices or is that fixed to the agent?

Checked all that with agent and we are in fact very reasonable.  I look at all others locally and we are not overpriced.  The other two years were definitely profitable but as we pay all the things like TV licence, wifi, water, electric etc and provide loo rolls, kitchen rolls, soaps, handwash, washing up liquid and a welcome pack of milk, biscuits, tea, coffee, hot choc etc. then that all has to be taken from income.  

We are considering going back to tenants as they will pay all the bills and we won’t have to do changeovers, cleaning etc.  we had 13 years of good tenants and apart from 6 monthly inspections there was nothing to do. We have enjoyed the experience of holiday lets though.

thriftytracey

I own a caravan and member of a popular caravan forum.  What we are finding caravan site wise is that costs have shot up to the extent that even caravanners that can afford it refuse to book these sites.  For example, some caravan and motor home sites are charging £45 - £50 a night, well, for that price you can stay in a hotel or rent some properties.  OK, energy costs have gone up but some small sites, e.g. CL and CS sites have put up their prices from £18 a night to £30 a night.  These sites have very limited facilities and these prices are in low and mid season, also people don't need heating in the summer months.

I know this isn't comparable to holiday lets but perhaps that is the reason - it's just too much.  I know of a one bed stable block conversion in the Northern Lakes is charging in June - over £1000 a week.  Someone I know has just returned from a visit and said most of the units were unoccupied.

theartfullodger

Property is and always was a long-term game.  There always were and always will be bad years (and bad agents, and bad tenants).

Sit it out, hope for better times 

Part of the consequences of the "cost of leaving (leaving) crisis".

Good luck!

Sarah1Mitty2

theartfullodger said:

Property is and always was a long-term game.  There always were and always will be bad years (and bad agents, and bad tenants).

Sit it out, hope for better times 

Part of the consequences of the "cost of leaving (leaving) crisis".

Good luck!

More likely the result of interest rates going from what 0.1% ?!!! back to more normal rates very quickly, holiday lets, AirBnB etc. will obviously be hit.