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Tāhuna Hideaway

Tāhuna Hideaway

Queenstown Accommodation  

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News

Preparing your property for guests from the inside out!

24 March 2023 by Hunter Leave a Comment

Off on an overseas vacation and want to list your property to guests as a short-term holiday home?
 
Unfortunately, there’s a bit more involved than just popping the keys in the lockbox and heading to the airport. But no need to stress- we’ve got you covered! Let us help you make the process as simple as possible by following our steps to preparing your property.

Declutter Your Space and Lock Up 

First up let’s make sure there’s some storage space to store your personal belongings, if there aren’t cupboards sufficient within the property, the garage is a great option! Box up your belongings, pop a lock on the door and you’re good to go! Otherwise outsourcing a storage space or container can also be a great idea.  

On the topic of locks, it’s important to make sure these are updated prior to your departure. Ensuring all doors at the property have decent locks on them is a great way of safeguarding your home, as well as door locks, locks on cupboards will be needed if you are storing belongings in here. We recommend owners have a lockbox at the property to store the key, otherwise a digital lock is also a great option (these both make check-ins and outs a lot simpler).  

The ‘ideal’ holiday home should be free from clutter and personal belongings, not only for the guest’s comfort, but for your privacy also. Things like family photos, items that hold sentimental value, and basically anything else you wouldn’t want tampered with or used will need to go into storage. Places like bathroom drawers and the kitchen/pantry areas should be completely emptied to ensure adequate space for guest’s belongings. Leaving condiments, spices and things such as baking goods are fine, but sticking to the approach of ‘the cleaner the better’ is preferred!  

Have a Tidy-Up! 

Take the time to give your property a deep clean before you head off, alternatively we can organize our cleaners to do this for you. They also manage cleaning in between each stay, bedding and linen is included in this also.

We can also take care of maintenance, damage or any issues that need fixing prior to your departure and during the time you’re away with our tradesmen. We recommend giving your property a thorough inspection before listing it- make sure all kitchen and laundry appliances are working as they should, this will save any confusion around issues or damage in the future. We can also do this for you and we will make note of anything that needs repair, or any wear and tear, and report back to you. 

Stand Out from The Crowd

Go above and beyond for the guests! Let’s get the people talking and recommending your property to others. We like to provide our guests with locally sourced and eco-friendly toiletries including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper and tissues. We also supply cleaning products like dish liquid, tablets, laundry liquid and much more!

Small complimentary touches such as coffee, tea, sugar and the odd condiments also make a big impact- convenience is a great thing to consider as guests are most likely in holiday mode. If you have these already in bulk, or you would like to purchase them this is great option and can also save you money. Of course, WIFI is also another big one, today it is a contributing factor to a 5-star stay! 

Providing guests with a ‘Guest Guide’ is another BIG YES! Again, for convenience. Having one place where they can go too to find all the properties information saves questions, stress and time. We create a guest guide for each of our properties and have these displayed via QR codes- easier on the environment and it’s as easy as scanning the code with your phone to access the information. We can provide you the template to fill out (as you know your property better than anyone!) then we can then run over this and make it super user friendly. 

Our office is always open for a chat or any questions- feel free to pop in and see us in our new space. Let’s chat about the best options for you! 

– Tāhuna Hideaway Team 

Looking for Property Management?

Reach out to our Property Managers to look after your short term or long term rental?

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Filed Under: News

The complete guide to successfully renting your property in Queenstown

28 January 2023 by homhero_admin

Thinking about renting out your property but not sure where to start? We are here to help!

Whether you’re wanting to make some extra income, offset the cost of your mortgage, or the current housing market isn’t providing in terms of your ideal sale price- everyone wants the process to be stress-free and successful right? (Yes!)

There are many different ways to go about renting your property (some simpler than others) but at the end of the day its what works best for you, the property owner. Below is a guide to ensure you’re set-up for success when it comes time to list your property!

Seasonal/Short Term Renting

In Queenstown we are lucky enough to have the luxury of tourists year-round but more specifically during our ski seasons. This means that renting your property out seasonally is an option, for example, if you want to escape the cold winter months and head overseas you can rent your property out short-term whilst you’re on holiday. It all depends on your personal circumstances and what you’re comfortable with.

In Queenstown we do unfortunately have some rules and regulations around VAC (visitor accommodation consent) in residential zones. This means that if you’re in these areas your property can only be rented for up to 48 nights in a year.

Is being a landlord right for you?

Is being a landlord a role you want to take on? There are many perks to the role such as an increase income and offsetting costs you’re your mortgage, however as an owner you must keep in mind that there could be wear and tear to the property overtime. This may not suit everyone, especially those who are considering renting out their primary residence. For the most part guests are respectful and considerate however mistakes do happen, and it is impossible to completely safeguard your property went renting to the public- that is where insurance comes in to play, and it is extremely important.

Another aspect of this is simplifying your home so for example packing up your personal belongings. For your own security and privacy things like photos, valuable items/things with sentimental value or anything else you wouldn’t want tampered with whilst you are absent, will need to be stored in a safe and secure place either within the property or off-site.

Do it yourself, or ease the stress with a property management company?

Would you like to manage bookings and guests, organize maintenance and the cleaning, or would you rather a property management company look after it for you?

It really depends on how much time you have available. There are systems and procedures that can make managing your property easier however it requires a lot of time and organizing. After each guests departure your property will need to be cleaned linen/bedding and towels changed and another crucial aspect is inspecting for damage, otherwise it can be easy to lose track of when and by whom it was caused. With us as your property management company this is all taken care of! We cater to each home as if it were our own and we hold each property to a very high standard. We also have staff on call 24/7 so that there is always sometime to tend to the property and to the tenants/guests needs.

When it comes to long term rentals there is a lot of administration that goes on behind the scenes eg- the legalities, which we can also take care of for you. This includes things like the ‘healthy homes standards’, tenancy agreements and potential disputes/tribunals.

Another thing to weigh up is costs. With short-term/holiday rentals there can be a lot of additional outgoing costs to maintain every guest booking for example cleaning, coffee top ups, toiletries and hygiene products. Whereas long-term/residential rentals in comparison are fairly easy in terms of costs and regular visits (besides inspections).

What does your property have to offer? Would you like to add more, or keep as is?

Who do you see your property being more suitable for? Guests or long-term tenants? Again, this will differ depending on personal circumstances and where your property is in Queenstown (keeping in mind the residential areas once again). There are properties across the region of all calibers used as both long-term and short-term rentals.

Do you have a hot-tub or pool? We have spa and pool maintenance staff on call for any cleaning or fault issues. Would you like some fresh furniture and décor? We have staff with an eye for creativity and interior design who can help spruce up your home with your desired budget in mind. Do you want/need consistent payments each week to cover loan repayment costs? If so, long-term tenants may be better suited for you as the income is more reliable and consistent. These are a couple of examples of things a property management company can take care of for you.

Renting out your property is a process that can run smoothly with the right procedures in place, and it can also have great benefits! Cater your plan of action to what suits your circumstances best. And feel free to seek professional advice or ask us if you feel stuck- we are always here to answer any questions or queries that you may have. 

– Tāhuna Hideaway Team

Looking for Property Management?

Reach out to our Property Managers to look after your short term or long term rental?

Learn More

Filed Under: News, Property Owners, Queenstown

Residential Rental vs Holiday Home Renting- Which is better suited for you and your circumstances?

28 January 2023 by homhero_admin

Kia ora to all from the team here at Tāhuna Hideaway! We hope you’re enjoying the year that is 2023 so far. We trust you’re all keeping well and busy in this beautiful city of ours!

A frequently asked question from owners lately is one that is definitely a hot topic at the moment given the current housing climate…

“Is residential or holiday home renting the way to go when it comes to my property?”

Continue Reading

Filed Under: News, Property Owners

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