Tips for Letting Out Your Holiday Lodge
Our tips for letting out your holiday lodge begin with a simple question: are you ready to run a small holiday business rather than merely lend your lodge to somebody for the weekend?
Letting can help towards pitch fees, maintenance and other ownership costs. It can also involve bookings, safety checks, cleaning, guest questions and the occasional missing teaspoon. A little planning may make the experience more manageable, enjoyable and at least a decision you won’t regret.
- Check that letting is permitted
Before taking photographs for adverts or opening a booking calendar, read your agreement with the holiday park. Some parks do not allow commercial letting, while others require bookings to be handled through the park’s own service or an approved agent. There may also be rules about stays, pets, parking and use of facilities.
Planning conditions and short-term letting rules vary according to location. Your park operator and local authority should be able to clarify what applies before you accept any payment from your first guests.
- Tell your holiday lodge insurance provider
A lodge occupied only by you and your family presents a different insurance risk from one used by paying visitors. Your holiday lodge insurance provider needs to know that you intend to let, even if bookings will be occasional or managed by the park.
At Park Home Assist we offer holiday lodge insurance with optional cover for those who go into letting, with further options for accidental damage and malicious damage when the lodge is let. Our cover also includes £5 million property owners’ liability and loss of use and hiring fees, subject to the policy terms, conditions and exclusions. It is worth discussing how often you plan to let and whether the lodge will be unoccupied between bookings. We are just a phone call away to answer any of your insurance queries, so that you can get the cover suitable for your own specific circumstances.
- Take safety seriously when letting your holiday lodge
Paying guests should be able to assume that the holiday lodge and everything provided in it are safe. Requirements differ across the UK, but you are likely to need gas and electrical safety certification, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, furniture and appliance safety certification and the provision of clearly displayed emergency information.
For holiday accommodation in England, fire safety law requires a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment and reasonable measures to protect guests. The assessment should be reviewed regularly and after significant changes or incidents. You may feel able to complete it yourself using official guidance, though a competent professional could be the better choice if you are uncertain.
A written routine for checking alarms, appliances, decking, steps and outdoor areas between bookings can be useful. It gives you or your cleaner a consistent process and creates a record of the care taken. In this respect be sure to take photos whenever you make any significant changes.
- Decide who will manage the work
You could manage bookings yourself, use a specialist agency or ask the park to handle them. Doing everything yourself may save commission, but it also means answering enquiries, collecting payments, arranging changeovers and responding when a guest cannot work the heating on a Sunday evening. Deciding on how much you can handle first can save a lot of hassle later.
An agent or park management service may take on much of this work. Ask what the fee covers and who deals with damage, complaints, emergency call-outs, deposits and cleaning problems.
- When letting your holiday lodge present it honestly
Good photographs matter, but accuracy matters too. Guests are more likely to be satisfied when the listing clearly describes the beds, accessibility, parking, Wi-Fi, outdoor space, park facilities and any restrictions guests need to be aware of. No surprises is a good rule of thumb.
You may also want to make the house rules visible before booking. Clear information about pets, smoking, noise, maximum occupancy, barbecues and check-out arrangements can prevent misunderstandings.
- Prepare for guest changeovers
A reliable changeover is about more than clean bedding. You could create an inventory and a room-by-room checklist covering cleaning, damage, missing items and replenishment of essentials. Photographs taken after each changeover may help if a dispute arises.
It is sensible to have local contacts for plumbing, heating, electrical problems and locksmith services. Small faults have a habit of becoming urgent when the next guests are due in two hours. Home Emergency Cover for your holiday lodge could provide the solution you need. Additional to your normal holiday lodge insurance, it covers you for emergencies such as boiler failure or pest infestation, with one number to call and the knowledge that the situation will be dealt with by a qualified professional.
- Make guests feel welcome
A concise welcome guide can explain how to use the heating and appliances, where to dispose of rubbish and how to contact you in an emergency. Local suggestions for shops, walks and places to eat can add a personal touch.
You could also ask for feedback after each stay. Perhaps guests need clearer parking instructions or more coat hooks. Small improvements may lead to better reviews and fewer repeated questions.
- Keep records and review the arrangement
Letting income and expenses should be recorded carefully, and professional tax advice may be worthwhile. Keep copies of bookings, safety certificates, inspection records and invoices in one place.
After the first season, look beyond the headline income. Once commission, cleaning, utilities, replacements and extra maintenance are included, you will have a clearer picture of whether letting works for you. Done thoughtfully, it can be rewarding, but the best results can often come from treating the lodge, your guests and your own time with equal care.
Please note that all insurance cover is subject to acceptance of terms and conditions.
This is a marketing article from Park Home Assist, multi award-winning providers of park home insurance, mobile home insurance, insurance for static caravans, insurance for holiday homes and holiday lodges, as well as boat insurance and touring caravan insurance. If you have any questions about your insurance, then please call our office on 01604 946 796 and one of our insurance advisers will be happy to help.
Published – 31/07/26
