Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Comment: Fly-to-let is taking off, but 80% of holiday homeowners are missing out on rental income

Following the article in the Daily Mail today, “Fly to let is taking off”, speak to Greg Grant, MD of the UK’s market-leading holiday rentals site, www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk (quoted in the piece), about how the 80% of holiday home-owners that currently do not rent out their properties are missing out on a valuable source of second income and could be using it to generate in excess of £10K per year.

CALL OR EMAIL SARAH CHAMBERS, PR MANAGER, TO ORGANISE AN INTERVIEW WITH GREG OR DISCUSS YOUR ARTICLE REQUIREMENTS
TEL: 020 8846 3430 / 07739 033132 EMAIL: sarah@holiday-rentals.co.uk

Due to increasing interest rates and the credit crunch, everyone is feeling the squeeze, particularly those with hefty debts such as a second mortgage on a holiday home to pay off. But those who are thinking they may have to give up their dream place in the sun and tighten their belts need not lose hope just yet.

According to the Office of National Statistics* around 850,000 Britons now own property overseas, however a mere 20% of these currently rent it out**. This means a huge 80% are missing out on literally 1000's of pounds in rental income per year, which they could be using to help cover mortgage and maintenance costs, or simply generate a valuable second income.

According to figures from the UK’s number one holiday rentals website, www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, the average occupancy rate for holiday homes in Europe is 18 weeks per year, and the average rental rate per week is around £600, meaning average annual returns can total in excess of £10,000.

Many people do not realise just how simple it is to rent their home out, or may be put off by the thought of having strangers in their private holiday home. However with sites such as Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, it is now extremely cost effective and easy to self-manage rentals, and also gives owners complete control over who stays in their property and when.

Greg Grant, the MD of Holiday-Rentals.co.uk is available to chat about the benefits of renting out holiday homes and could also answer any questions that your audience may have on the subject.

Subjects Greg could discuss include:

-The average rental returns owners can expect in different areas
-The top performing destinations, in terms of rental demand
-Traveller demand for holiday rentals and what they expect; who are the potential guests?
-Points holiday home owners should consider when preparing their property for rentals
-How to self-manage rentals
-Holiday-Rentals.co.uk's top 10 tips to maximise revenue from holiday rentals
-The worldwide distribution of British-owned holiday rental accommodation and how this has changed over the last few years


*ONS Wealth and Assets Survey January 2008
**Mintel, The Market for Homes & Housing Overseas, UK August 2006