In summer as in winter, whether you have a primary or secondary residence, renting your home during the holidays can represent a significant source of income. However, between regulations, administrative procedures and welcoming tenants, renting is not always easy. In this article, we offer you a complete guide to help you rent your accommodation peacefully during the holidays.
Transform your residence into furnished tourist accommodation
Before you can rent your house, it is necessary to transform it into a real furnished tourist accommodation. To do this, you must respect certain conditions and take specific steps with your town hall.
Your home must be furnished and offer sufficient amenities so that your tenants can live independently during their stay. This means that your home should have a number of essential amenities, such as a bed, table, chairs, kitchen utensils, refrigerator, etc.
Then, it is necessary to make a declaration to your town hall to inform of your intention to rent your main or secondary residence as furnished tourist accommodation. You will need to complete a declaration form prior to the activity of rental of furnished tourist accommodation.
A rental contract adapted to seasonal rental
Once your home is prepared for rental, it is important to put a suitable rental contract in place. This document must specify the conditions of the rental, in particular the duration, the price, the cancellation conditions, and an inventory of the furniture present in the accommodation.
It is preferable to use a seasonal rental contract template in order not to forget anything and to comply with the various legal obligations. This contract must notably specify that the accommodation does not constitute the tenant’s main residence.
Tourist tax: a duty of the lessor
Rent your house during the holidays involves collecting the tourist tax on behalf of the municipality. This tax is due by tenants who do not reside in the municipality. The amount varies depending on the municipality and the classification of the accommodation. It is therefore important to find out from your town hall about the amount to be collected.
This tax must be collected from your tenants and remitted to the municipality. It is preferable to specify in the rental contract that the tourist tax is not included in the rental price.
How to find tenants for your vacation home?
To find tenants, several options are available to you. You can go through a real estate agency, but this incurs additional costs. You can also opt to rent on online platforms dedicated to seasonal rentals. These platforms, such as Airbnb, Abritel or Booking, allow you to reach a large clientele.
It is recommended to take care of the presentation of your accommodation on these platforms: a beautiful image for renting is essential. Do not hesitate to call on a professional to take quality photos of your home.
Rent your house during the holidays is a great way to generate additional income. However, this requires a certain amount of preparation and compliance with several obligations. With our guide, you have all the keys in hand to become a true seasonal rental expert. So, ready to take the plunge and transform your residence into a real vacation home ?