Enquiries from both upcountry and overseas visitors for holiday rentals in Llandudno and Hout Bay in the coming summer holidays are now flowing in steadily and increasing week by week, says Terry Mackenzie, rental agent for Cape Waterfront Estates – but, she warns, every year certain home owners wanting to go this route “miss the boat” by leaving their listings too late.
“Many property owners in Llandudno and Hout Bay like the idea of renting out their homes over part or all of the holiday season but they don’t contact rental agents until it is far too late,” says Mackenzie. “Now is the time to put your property in the hands of a good rental agent because right now most of the better organised holiday visitors are making their holiday plans.”
Mackenzie said that in Hout Bay suitable homes rent out in December and January at around R2000 to R10 000 per day while in Llandudno, one of the most affluent Atlantic Seaboard suburbs, home owners are now able to charge from R6000 to R60 000 per day- and in one or two cases even higher rentals have been acceptable to clients. These prices, she said, will probably seem high to many people but world-wide Llandudno is seen as a top-of- the- range destination and those paying for their holidays with First World currencies are still getting a bargain. Many Gautengers can also easily afford a holiday home in this price range, she says.
The main features which attract visitors to rental properties, said McKenzie are:
- close proximity to beaches and restaurants.
- a high level of security, preferably with a link to an armed response service.
- large, sunny entertainment areas leading to patios, a pool and braai facilities.
- sunny, uncluttered interiors (from which all the owner’s personal items have been temporarily removed).
- DStv and Wi-Fi connections.
- sophisticated, well equipped kitchens.
- a welcome pack containing fruit, wines, tea, coffee and other items.
- a domestic or cleaning service, and pool and garden service.
- good quality linen and towels.
Many owners in Llandudno and Hout Bay who previously opted for AirB&B rentals, says Mackenzie, are now choosing to rent out their homes long-term, i.e. for 6 to 24 months.
Long-term rentals have the great advantage that the owner does not have to become involved in regular preparations for a succession of tenants. Long-term rentals in Llandudno at the moment vary from R35 000 to R100 000 per month.
Mackenzie said that with Cape Town’s water shortages now reaching crisis point home owners renting out their premises and the agents working for them have to “educate” tenants in the water saving measures which are these days obligatory. They should also install grey water and rain catchment systems.
