I'm a self catering expert - here are the top 10 things to do when you rent a property

A holiday rental can make or break a getaway which is why those looking to escape to a home-from-home location, this year should pay special attention.

Richard Young, founder of selfcatering.co.uk, which works alongside property owners to ensure their homes are the best of the best in readiness for guests, has done his own research to reveal that rental properties aren't always as they seem.

Here, Richard reveals his top seven tips:

Bed linen

As guests, one of the places we always tend to check first is the cleanliness of the bed linen and I've visited hundreds of bedrooms where thankfully the majority look, smell and are clean.

But I've also stayed in locations where the linen appears clean but has just been masked by a nice aroma.

A red flag is if the bed hasn't been made correctly - and that's when it's time to take a closer look. Throw back the duvet and look to the bottom of the bed where sheets could have just been turned. This is where I have, in the past, found stains.

Plug holes

An obvious one but very often overlooked until it's shower time is to check that hair and other debris has been completely removed from the shower plug, and if it hasn't, document the evidence and complain. Then, reach for the baking soda and white vinegar which will quickly get rid of the unwanted debris.

Kitchen cupboard

We always insist that our holiday home owners undertake a thorough clean of cupboards after every stay because very quickly dust can build up and remain unseen on glasses, mugs and saucepans. Ensure, on your next getaway, that you check the cleanliness of the back of cupboards.

Cobwebs

Not restricted to the corners of rooms but also at the back of beds, chest of drawers and sofas. Have a quick scan behind these to assess the true cleanliness of your place.

Dog hair

Many holiday homes, including many of our own welcome dogs, but cleaning up after them does require extra work. An inside trick, which requires sticky tape, is to run a section of tape over sofas to see if a dog has been kicking back and relaxing as much as his owner.

Occasionally, dogs are allowed into the beds to sleep and you can find the odd hair almost woven into the sheets which can be an issue for them to be removed during the laundry process.

Flooring

Most floors I've inspected - both carpeted and hardwood - have been to a good standard but to really understand whether they're clean or not is to look to the corners where attention to detail sometimes goes astray. Sometimes you will find they have a sticky feel when wearing certain shoes. Don't panic, this is usually when the cleaning crew have put too much detergent in the mix or not rinsed it thoroughly enough. It's still probably clean.

Soft furnishings

Show or accent pillows can really enhance a lounge or bedroom but the smell and look test is a must. They really should be washed regularly, especially if guests are likely to relax on them after a hard day on the beach and dare I say it, dust, drool, sweat and oil can accumulate and could trigger allergic reactions. It was required to have multiple sets during Covid which is easier for the host to rotate and clean.

Richard adds: “Of course, don't let the cleanliness of your holiday home dominate your holiday, instead do these quick checks to ensure that it's as sparkling as it should be and if it's not, gather your evidence and speak with the owners and give them a chance to rectify any issues”

For more information visit www.selfcatering.co.uk

If you are a holiday home owner or thinking of becoming one, then check out the detailed guid here: https://www.lindmere.com/owners/holiday-home-guide/