Holiday Cottage Handbook

Two free educational events for short-term rental hosts and property managers in London!

STR Zone – part of the Property Investor Show on 4-5 October at ExCeL London

Join us for exhibitors and content dedicated to the STR space, plus networking opportunities. Exhibitors will include Holiday Cottage Handbook, HCH Financial Services, Your AirHost, and Zeal, along with expert speakers Alistair Handyside, Stefan Hoffelner, Jane Mack, Amanda Stecker, Katie Bessant, and Matt Jeffery. Register here: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/strzone

Your Air Success on 8 November at Six Park Place, London

Join us for a day of learning and networking as we host Your Air Success in collaboration with Your AirHost – London's leading short-term rentals management company. We will soon be announcing the exhibitors and guest speakers for this event. Places are very limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register here: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost

We start this week's newsletter with Key Data Dashboard's latest overview of the US market – where Booking.com is gaining ground and Vrbo is losing market share. Meanwhile, the southwest region is performing best Stateside – and bucking the trends of dwindling rates and lower occupancy in many other parts of the country.

Back in the UK, and lobbying efforts in relation to the furnished holiday lettings tax regime continue unabated. We have the latest from PASC UK Ltd., the ASSC Scotland, and the Short-Term Accommodation Association.

Plus:

Eduardo Mandri from Angel Host joins the .

We have two free events in London coming up. Get your free tickets for STR Zone at the Property Investor Show on 4-5 October, and Your Air Success at Six Park Place on 8 November.

Be the first to read our new e-book – sponsored by Hosthub – which will be available later this month.

And Howard Reuben from HCH Financial Services has news of a competitive holiday let mortgage product for limited company borrowers.

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/key-data-bookingcom-gains-ground-us-holiday-cottage-handbook-im77e/?trackingId=KFc9JyN4%2B6rOOTF802QlWQ%3D%3D

Platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo will reward hosts who publish optimum listings on day one.

Find out more about this vital topic by listening to our latest podcast featuring Eduardo Mandri from Angel Host.

https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/podcast/episode/7c1851b8/hch053-eduardo-mandri-supercharge-your-str-marketing-and-communication

Join us for Your Air Success – a free event for short-term rental hosts and property managers – at Six Park Place in London on 8 November.

Learn hosting tips, industry trends, and network with experts in the sector.

Places are limited. Register now!

https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost

👀 Coming soon!

The second edition of our free e-book — sponsored by Hosthub — will be available to download in September.

Be the first to read it by joining our priority list: holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Angel Host Co-Founder and CEO, Eduardo Mandri, talks about getting your listing perfect on day one during today's .

Eduardo also shares marketing tips, discusses how AI is disrupting the industry, and outlines Angel Host's link-up with INTO. He picked PriceLabs as his favourite STR brand.

The episode includes sponsor mentions for: HCH Financial Services, Hosthub, Smiling House, and Beyond: Dynamic Pricing.

Listen now: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/podcast/episode/7c1851b8/hch053-eduardo-mandri-supercharge-your-str-marketing-and-communication

Plenty to get through in this week's :

Self-catering industry lobbyists met with UK government officials to discuss the proposed abolishment of the furnished holiday lettings tax regime – we have reaction from PASC UK Ltd. and ASSC Scotland.

HCH Founder, James Varley, joined a webinar with Hostfully to discuss property management tips and trends, and preview the upcoming HCH Bitesize series.

Our six-part Property Management Masterclass featuring Stefan Hoffelner from Your AirHost is proving popular.

Plus:

Ed Maughan from Group Accommodation joins the .

Join us for STR Zone on 4-5 October at ExCeL London.

Join us for Your Air Success on 8 November in London. Places are very limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Be the first to read our new e-book, sponsored by Hosthub.

And Howard Reuben from HCH Financial Services has news of a competitive holiday let mortgage product from Suffolk Building Society.

Read now: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/pasc-assc-call-delay-fhl-tax-regime-changes-9uvae?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_ios&utm_campaign=share_via

Make sure you never miss an issue by joining our mailing list: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com

There are plenty of hot topics being discussed on this month's HCH Mortgage Podcast with James Varley and Samantha Turmaine, including the cut in interest rates and the abolishment of the furnished holiday lettings tax regime.

Have a listen: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/hch-mortgage-podcast

And for the latest holiday let mortgage products – plus any other property finance – contact HCH Financial Services:

Call: 0333 1234 536
Email: [email protected]

Interest rates have started to drop and holiday let mortgages are getting more and more competitive.

Check out details of this new product from Suffolk Building Society, which is available via HCH Financial Services.

New holiday let mortgage product Contact HCH Financial Services for details

Catch the Property Management Masterclass podcast series featuring Stefan Hoffelner from Your AirHost!

1. The basics of hosting
2. How to create the perfect listing
3. Essential amenities
4. Guest communication
5. How to earn great reviews
6. How to scale your short-term rental business

Binge through all six episodes now: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/property-management-masterclass

And if that wasn't enough, Holiday Cottage Handbook and Your AirHost are teaming up to organise Your Air Success – a free event for STR hosts and property managers – on Friday 8 November in London. Places are limited – but you can register here: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost

Coming soon!

Two special events for short-term rental investors, hosts, and property managers.

Both will be held in London and are FREE to attend!

STR Zone will be part of the Property Investor Show on 4-5 October. Register now: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/strzone

Your Air Success will be held in collaboration with Your AirHost on 8 November. Places are very limited! Register now to secure slot: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost

Support our rural and coastal visitor economies, please don't abolish FHL Tax Allowances Support our rural and coastal visitor economies, please don't abolish FHL Tax Allowances Welcome to the 'Please don't abolish the FHL Allowances and support coastal and rural tourism' Petition. Please enter your Postcode, this will automatically call up the details of your MP. You will then need to....

Alistair Handyside, from PASC UK Ltd., and Fiona Campbell, from the ASSC Scotland, met Treasury officials this week to lobby on behalf of the self-catering sector after the new UK government reintroduced plans to abolish the furnished holiday lettings tax regime.

During the meeting, PASC and the ASSC outlined the economic benefits delivered by the industry, plus the major differences between furnished holiday lets and the long-term lets sector, including the fact FHL businesses are responsible for council tax, business rates, and VAT, unlike long-term landlords.

PASC Chair, Alistair Handyside, said the meeting was more open and positive than expected, and lasted for 90 minutes, despite being scheduled for only half an hour.

Click here for a full recap: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/post/pasc-and-assc-discuss-fhl-tax-regime-with-treasury

Government urged to delay FHL tax proposals PASC and ASSC meet with Treasury officials

HCH Founder, James Varley, took part in today's Hostfully webinar where he talked about the importance of education for STR hosts, guest communication tips, upselling, and much more...including the new HCH Bitesize podcast series!

Watch the replay: https://app.livestorm.co/hostfully/optimizing-your-short-term-rental-business-for-maximum-success-1/live?s=8049ec04-c807-49d2-ae79-4721e4bf8571 #/chat

Our new six-part podcast series – Property Management Masterclass – is live!

Produced in collaboration with Your AirHost, the series shares everything you need to know about setting up and managing short-term rentals.

Learn tips and best practices from Stefan Hoffelner, who scaled Your AirHost from a single property to hundreds of rentals.

Binge though all six shows on our website: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/property-management-masterclass

Holiday Cottage Handbook and Your AirHost are also teaming up to organise a special event for hosts and property managers in London on Friday 8 November. Tickets are free for Your Air Success. Click here to register: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/yourairhost

Make sure you join us for tomorrow’s webinar!

🎙️ Join us as James Varley, CEO and founder of Holiday Cottage Handbook shares his insights on how to stay competitive in the dynamic STR market by leveraging the latest trends, technologies, and best practices.

📅 Wed. Aug 21 - 9am PST / 12pm EST
📌 https://app.livestorm.co/hostfully/optimizing-your-short-term-rental-business-for-maximum-success-1

Today's Highlights:

HCH Bitesize will be launching in September. Join us for a webinar with our partners at Hostfully to discuss the new series – plus hosting tips and trends – on Wednesday at 5pm UK time. Click here to register: https://app.livestorm.co/hostfully/optimizing-your-short-term-rental-business-for-maximum-success-1

The furnished holiday lettings tax regime is going to be abolished. While the consultation period is underway, it is vital you seek tax advice. Our partners at Zeal have prepared five top tips that every holiday let owner needs to read: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/post/five-tax-tips-for-holiday-let-owners

Plus:

Villa Tracker and Guesty announce exciting link-up.

Alistair Handyside from PASC UK Ltd. joins the .

Join us for STR Zone at the Property Investor Show on 4-5 October at ExCeL London. Register for your free e-ticket: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/strzone

Be the first to read our new e-book, sponsored by Hosthub: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/e-book

Howard Reuben from HCH Financial Services has news of holiday let mortgage products from Bath Building Society.

Read now: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/join-webinar-hosting-tips-hch-bitesize-preview-aaeee/?trackingId=mSNeUlbtD5JisQYuyv0nGg%3D%3D

Start your week by listening to our latest podcast featuring Alistair Handyside from PASC UK Ltd.

Alistair will meet Treasury officials this week to outline the impact of the proposed legislation to abolish the furnished holiday lettings tax regime.

Data suggests about 20% of operators will be forced out of business if the proposal goes ahead unamended.

During the show, Alistair explains how operators can support lobbying efforts.

https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/podcast/episode/7b6a5414/hch051-alistair-handyside-what-next-for-the-fhl-tax-regime

After the government announced plans to abolish the furnished holiday lettings (FHL) tax regime, Zeal have provided their top five tips for holiday let owners to consider now.

The proposed new legislation – which will remove the beneficial tax treatment and separate reporting requirements for FHLs – is scheduled to commence in April 2025 (tax year 2025/26), so time is of the essence!

Tip 1: Claim all available capital allowances before the deadline.

One of the main changes will see the removal of capital allowances. Capital allowances tax relief claims are often missed on the purchase price of the building or the original construction and refurbishment costs. This is because it is not an area of tax covered by general accountants due to the need for surveyors and capital allowances specialists.

Identifying unclaimed capital allowances will save you thousands of pounds in tax. To ensure no claim is missed before the tax regime ends, Zeal are offering Holiday Cottage Handbook subscribers a free capital allowances review. Book yours here: https://calendly.com/go-zeal

Read all five tips: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/post/five-tax-tips-for-holiday-let-owners

Zeal are a team of chartered tax advisors and capital allowances specialists. Their experts can help guide you through the tax changes and explore ways to mitigate the impact on you. If you have any questions or would like to arrange your free capital allowances review, contact Zeal today:

Call: 01633 287898
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Zeal website: https://gozeal.co.uk/services/industries/hch-furnished-holiday-lets/

Research from PASC UK Ltd. suggests around 20% of operators will be forced to leave the self-catering sector if the government pursues its proposal to abolish the furnished holiday lettings tax regime.

PASC UK Chair, Alistair Handyside, says this will have a disastrous impact on rural and coastal communities which rely heavily on holiday lets to boost their economies.

Next week, Alistair will be meeting Treasury officials to lobby on behalf of the industry. Find out more by reading our latest blog post and listening to Alistair's appearance on the .

https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/post/20-of-operators-will-quit-if-fhl-tax-regime-is-abolished

We are looking forward to this! Make sure you join us for this webinar!

🚀 Looking to excel in the short-term rental market? We’re partnering with Holiday Cottage Handbook for a can’t-miss webinar! Discuss maximizing revenue, perfecting guest experiences, and staying ahead of industry trends. Join us!

📅 Wed. Aug 21 at 9am PST / 12pm EST
📌 https://app.livestorm.co/hostfully/optimizing-your-short-term-rental-business-for-maximum-success-1

A must-listen podcast for UK-based hosts and property managers.

PASC UK Ltd. Chair, Alistair Handyside, is leading lobbying efforts opposing government plans to abolish the furnished holiday lettings tax regime.

Alistair and his counterpart from ASSC Scotland, Fiona Campbell, are due to meet Treasury officials next week to outline the impact of the proposed legislation.

Data suggests about 20% of operators will be forced out of business if the proposal goes ahead unchanged.

Find out how operators can support lobbying efforts by listening to this week's show.

Listen now: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/podcast/episode/7b6a5414/hch051-alistair-handyside-what-next-for-the-fhl-tax-regime

The episode includes sponsor mentions for: HCH Financial Services, Hosthub, Beyond: Dynamic Pricing, and SuperControl Online Booking System.

Make sure you catch Alistair Handyside on tomorrow's .

Alistair and PASC UK Ltd. are leading lobbying efforts opposing government plans to abolish the furnished holiday lets tax regime.

PASC data suggests 20% of operators will leave the industry if the proposal goes through in its current form – a statistic Alistair will be sharing with Treasury officials in a meeting next week.

Alistair said: "From the data we've got so far, anything up to and above 20% of people operating as an FHL could cease doing so by April. That will have a significant impact on them personally and from a cost point of view – and they have done absolutely nothing wrong. This is not a tax loophole. This is a specific tax regime created by HMRC, which is being proposed for abolition at extraordinarily short notice.

"If this goes through in anything like its current form, I believe there will be a significant loss to the sector that will then have a significant loss to rural and coastal visitor economies. The reason you have vibrant community assets like pubs and visitor attractions and restaurants is because people from outside come in and spend large amounts of money in those businesses. They're not sustained by local communities; they're sustained by the visitor economies that we support.

"They [the government] are saying that there are no macro-economic impacts of this change. We are going to be suggesting very strongly there will be significant economic impacts – on operators and the wider visitor economies, particularly in rural and coastal communities."

The episode will drop on our website, YouTube channel, and your favourite podcast platform at midnight tonight.

Catch all our previous shows here: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/podcast

HCH sponsor, Villa Tracker, has announced a groundbreaking integration with Guesty. This strategic collaboration will support short-term rental home owners by significantly increasing the number of bookings they attract from travel professionals, including travel agents, concierge companies, and travel designers.

Guesty users can now seamlessly link their rentals to Villa Tracker – an online platform that connects luxury properties with travel professionals who are searching to rent properties on a B2B basis.

Villa Tracker is the sister brand of Smiling House Luxury, which boasts 9,500 properties in 52 countries and 300 destinations.

Find out more: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/post/villa-tracker-and-guesty-announce-collaboration

This week's newsletter kicks off with news about HCH Bitesize – an exciting new podcast series for short-term rental hosts and property managers, brought to you by Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully!

We are also busy building up to STR Zone, which will be held in London on 4-5 October. The first exhibitors have been confirmed: Holiday Cottage Handbook, HCH Financial Services, Your AirHost, and Zeal. The event is free to attend and you can register for an e-ticket on our website. Interested in exhibiting? Email: [email protected].

Plus:

Noise monitoring tips from Alertify, join the priority list for our new e-book sponsored by Hosthub, hear about industry trends and Vrbo tips with James Cassidy from Expedia Group Partnerships on the latest , and find out about some low cost holiday let mortgages from HCH Financial Services.

Read now: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hch-hostfully-team-up-new-podcast-series-holiday-cottage-handbook-mvhqe/?trackingId=n%2BD6jQOPR%2BKKWkfYpzsEJQ%3D%3D

Coming soon: HCH Bitesize, sponsored by Hostfully!

Holiday Cottage Handbook and Hostfully are excited to announce the launch of a new podcast series designed to support short-term rental hosts and property managers. Titled HCH Bitesize, this weekly show will delve into various topics essential to the STR industry, including property management software, digital guidebooks, direct booking strategies, dynamic pricing, and much more.

Episodes will feature expert guests from across the STR sector who will share their insights and practical advice. These industry leaders will help listeners enhance their knowledge and build successful and sustainable property management businesses.

Find out more: https://www.holidaycottagehandbook.com/post/hch-and-hostfully-to-launch-new-podcast-series