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Are you considering renting out your cottage, apartment, croft or your permanent residence? Whether you are renting for the first time or if you have been renting for several years, this guide means to improve and simplify the rental for both you and your guests.

It is common to rent out your summer cottage during the summer when you are not using it yourself, to cover costs associated with the cottage. However, it is becoming increasingly common to rent out your accommodation during all seasons of the year when we tend to travel more often and varied. It is no longer only the summer months or winter holidays that are relevant for rent.

Most people who rent a cottage do so for holidays in the summer or winter. Popular periods are also school holidays, Christmas, Easter etc. Many people already know where to go and are looking for accommodation right there.

The most common constellation of guests is a family with adults and children. Among our visitors, many are interested in places where there are many activities for both adults and children.

Other groups well represented are retired couples, groups of friends, work teams, explorers or several families for larger family gatherings. The constellations are as many as the number of cottages and its variation in size and shape.

Foreign visitors usually come from Norway, Germany and Denmark. But we also have many visitors from England, the Netherlands and France.

The holiday period is in Germany a little later than in Sweden, which can extend our rental period during the summer until October.

Renting out your accommodation with Stugknuten shall be easy and safe. You can easily place your ad on our website.

To be visible on the site and have access to our portal for bookings, a commission fee of 12% is deducted on each booking, these percentages include our secure booking and payment service, support in case of problems and an extra cottage insurance via Omocom. You only pay for when the cottage is rented out and you decide for yourself who can book your cottage and when. You can rent out how much or how little you want during a year via our service.

When a guest has checked out, the rent is then paid directly to your chosen bank account, in the event of any changes or cancellations, these are handled by our support. The commission fee is 12 percent of the rent and your guest receives a secure booking and in most cases an extra travel protection is also included via their card.

It can also be positive to be seen on more channels such as social media. Share your ad via your Facebook or Instagram or find groups that suit your purpose.

When you are renting out your accommodation, you need to think about how much you want to get for a week's rental.

To get an idea of ​​the market, we recommend that you look at similar accommodation in your area, look at the size and location and set the price for high and low season. You can also check out similar accommodations around the country.

Also consider whether high and low season prices are relevant for your accommodation. When it's high vs. low season depends on where your accommodation is located. Furthermore, you look at whether you will offer anything other than weekly rentals, such as weekends or daily prices.

When setting your price, make sure that the rent corresponds to what the guest will be met by (be realistic in your pricing). Please note that guests will have higher requirements for more expensive accommodation. You can correct your prices at any time during the season, make sure that it is the correct and current prices that are visible in your ad.

What usually has the biggest impact on the price;

• Size: The size of the house and how many beds
• Standard: Simple or luxurious, recently renovated, unique, etc.
• Facilities: There is WiFi, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, sauna, pool, rowing boat, etc.
• Location: Is it e.g. directly by the sea, in the middle of the forest, close to neighbors, ski lifts?
• Geographical location: Prices in e.g. northern and southern Sweden can differ greatly

When you rent out your accommodation via Stugknuten, you use what we call a booking offer, guests accept the offer by paying, payment is made by card via our portal.

You can also in the booking offer add other details about the booking / cleaning or similar. In addition to all the rules and general information regarding booking and payment, it can be nice to include instructions on how to use things (e.g. a barbecue or dishwasher) and welcoming tips (e.g. on activities and local excursions).

In the booking you will have access to the guest's name, telephone number and date of birth. The guest will register a profile that must be complete before a booking can be completed.

If something goes wrong:

For the most part, most bookings flow smoothly. But if problems arise before or during a booking, you can always contact us at Stugknuten for our support.

Our basic tips to avoid mishaps:

• Clarity, make sure to be clear and straight with your guests. Avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
• Create a pleasant contact, be open and humble in front of your guests and their holiday.

Before your rental starts, you can think about a deposit and if this is something for you. Deposit is not something that Stugknuten handles and is something that you as the host yourself must be responsible for.

Security deposit is usually charged on the guest's arrival and returned after check out if everything is in order. Please note that it is very important that it is clear for guest that the deposit fee will be added to the rent.
Guest must always receive in writing: that the deposit will be added, to what amount, how it will be paid and what is expected for it to be recovered. Everything to avoid misunderstandings and mishaps. You add this information to your agreement with the guest.
What is a reasonable amount for a deposit can vary, but a guideline can be about SEK 1,000

Note: We only recommend a deposit if you yourself have the opportunity or if a friend of yours has the opportunity to check the cottage when guests check-out.

Here we list a few more things before renting that can be good to think about.

Bedsheets and towels

Recommendation regarding bedding and towels in Sweden is that the guest brings their own. Be sure to reconcile this with your future guests so they know what applies. If you want to offer bed linen / towels as an option, think about the price for this and how it should be handled with laundry and the like.

The cost of electricity and water

Many include the cost of electricity and water in the rent because the rental time is usually so short. However, you can charge an extra fee for this if you rent over a longer period. In that case, this must be stated in the ad and in your agreement with the guest.

Consumables

It is nice to come to a cottage where there is toilet paper, kitchen paper, dish tablets and detergent at least for the first day before you have had time to go to the store. Spices and the like are appreciated by guests, not always having to buy every little thing for cooking can feel extra luxurious.
If you have a stove, leave some firewood in front so that your guests can use it at least a few times before they themselves need to buy more firewood.
Make sure that there is cleaning equipment, cleaning products and more, and that everything is easily accessible, it is then easier for the guest to clean in the desired way.

Pets

Be sure to print in your ad whether animals are allowed or not. You can also address this in your conversation with a guest. Extra important if there are allergy sufferers in the travel party.

Smoking

It is not common for smoking to take place indoors, but if you are against smoking in and around your home, it can be good to clarify this in your ad. Alternatively, print out where smoking is allowed.

Fire

That there is the right and well-updated equipment in your cabin is as important as having it at home. Make sure that there are fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and fire blankets in suitable places. Also place extra batteries for smoke alarms in a suitable place so that it is easy to replace if needed. Note that this is as important to you as it is to your guests.

Recycling

Do you want your guests to recycle? Then make sure that instructions for this are available and that vessels / bags are easily accessible.
If there is a garbage dump nearby, leave instructions on how to find it and any codes, keys or the like.
Recommended to leave an empty garbage bag in the trash can before every new guest arrival.

Neighbors

Depending on where your cottage is located, it may be relevant to inform your neighbors that you will rent out and approximately how much.
If your cottage is located in the middle of a tourist area where rental is standard, this is not considered necessary.

Extra guests

Think about how many people can stay in your cottage. Overnight but also any visitors during the day. If you have an opinion on this, it can be good to clarify in your conversation with the guest and in your agreement.
The same with any events, gatherings of larger parties or parties. Are there any guidelines you want the guest to adhere to, inform them about this early on.

Personal belongings

When you use your own cabin, it is obvious that you want your things there, extra clothes and the like. Before renting, it is good to clean away as much as possible, things that may feel too personal. Make sure your guests have plenty of space for their own things.
Personal things can be hidden away, locked in or removed from the holiday home depending on what opportunity you have for this.

Common wishes

What many tenants strive for is that the beds should be good. Some prefer a double bed instead of a bunk bed, others the opposite. Dishwasher and washing machine are usually appreciated, as well as TV and WiFi. If you have a garden with a patio, the dining area and barbecue are usually appreciated.
Recommended to inform about these things in your ad.

Appreciated on arrival

Upon arrival, it is always nice for the guest to feel welcome. Feel free to leave a welcome note with short info, maybe a telephone number to you if problems should arise.
We recommend that you leave a paper (or folder) with important information about how things work, what is good to know and think about in and around the house. For example where the plug cabinet is or how to use the dishwasher.
We recommend you to come up with tips on what you can do locally, excursion destinations, bathing places, markets, events or what is unique to your area. Feel free to present maps and tourist brochures. If you have foreign guests, remember to try to find information in English.
A guest book is usually both pleasant to write in as well as to read. Here guests can tell each other about what they have done and what is recommended in the area.