Well, my first month in the Cottage Rental business is over. I have not posted for a bit. The site maintenance caused my iPad to not reload DB. I thought I was done here. But anyway…
I learned a lot in the past month. Some of it good, some of it not so good.
Last minute people are some of the worst! The family moving out today (hopefully) refused to obey any rules. Such as: Keep your dog on leash. Clean up after your dog. No tents allowed. No extra people.
When I realized they had moved in extra people (Fri morning) - I informed them that this was against policy as was putting up a tent. They told me I was harassing them. That the cottage was "THEIRS" until Monday. They phoned me and hung up on me. Sent long harassing texts. My friend (handyman) was working on site that day and told me their dog was running freely and he was cleaning up after it. They were SO confrontational (& I am not) that I had to call the Police. The Police felt I had every right to evict but that the kids seem to really be loving the place. So I backed down. (ugh). I hate to wreck kids' vacations. I have no communicated with them since. My friend on site said they were loud even with Police and that it would not have been a good situation to walk into. And I had new renters moving in that evening to the other 2 cottages. Now - it will be interesting to see how they leave it. Last week we had another nasty group. I arrived to prepare another cottage and their 3 dogs were running loose. I told them it was not ok and they all got in my face! One guy was big and burly and multi tattooed (no offence - just painting the pic). They finally calmed down and apologized but I believe they influenced the current renters as there was a 2 day overlap. They also left the cottage disgusting. They had the "How to leave the cottage" paper out on the table. (Housekeeping cottages are usually swept at the least, dishes put away etc). This group had linens & bedding from me which is not the norm. Littered floor with towels. Bedding rumpled up - even a vibrator left in the bed! 3 bags of garbage inside the cottage. Food in the frig. Dirty dishes in the sink. Recycle not taken out. And although the agreement states no pets on furniture - the brand new sofa bed (and other chairs) were absolutely covered with pet hair.
So - I'm sure I will get more of the same today. I do not clean the cottages myself but I will be paying the cleaning girl more.
I trust people. I usually LIKE people. Not this week.
So - I will be drafting an air tight rental contract for everyone to sign and taking damage and cleaning deposits. I knew all about doing this but with so much to get this project off the ground - it was overlooked.
The good news is that in one month I made more $ than I had expected for the entire season. So that helps.
But I am counting down the minutes until these idiots are gone. I thought my problems would be with wild partiers. Not families with dogs. But I was wrong!
I am half suspecting they wouldn't even leave today if it weren't for school starting tomm. Thank God for small mercies. Tomm I'm back there with a crew and we are doing more work. They are really shaping up so nicely.
Thanks Summer, I was just shaking! I'm not up for this. My handyman friend (we went to high school together & he recently moved up here with my girlfriend felt they were "above the law" & that he & I could confront them but when he told me he heard them yelling at the cops - it was a different story. Funny thing - I had charged them the least of anyone else as it was last minute but they complained about price the loudest.
Jeff, my friend, feels with all the recent improvements I can definitely charge less. His girlfriend (my other high school friend) had rented her cottage out regularly before moving up full time. She phone Sat to see how I was doing. Nothing intimidates Jeff but he had also been shook up she said. She is sending me a copy of her contract & rules for me to look over. My next door neighbours at the cottages also rent out & they've been very supportive. I will be talking to them again about their rules. They have a "no pet" policy too. I hated to impose this as I want to be a "family" resort but the dog thing is taking on a life of it's own.
Aiming for a different clientele next year. Have some interest in Autumn rentals this year but so far only one cottage booked. I think I might not push it & actually stay there one night myself with Josh.
& I'm thinking of hosting "camps" or family reunion weeks. Where they take the whole property as one. The lawn is large & grassy. It would be perfect for games, cheerleading, baton twirling or other get togethers. Been getting more inquiries about all 3 going together so I will aim for that first & only rent the individual cottages for weeks that are not going as a unit. Lots of time to organize this over the winter.
Ryan's worker is going to drive by this afternoon & let me know if all the cars are gone. I do not plan to communicate with them.
One of the other cottage renters texted throughout the weekend. He just loved it (even though he forgot to bring bedding) - asked about things like renting a Jetski. Repeatedly told me how beautiful it was. The 3rd renter never even texted that he arrived. Nice cottages told me it appeared he had. So there's the good, the bad and the quiet.
Sorry you have had a few bumps along the way. But isn't that how it goes? You learn more through the mishaps and then things start working smoother. I am sure with you making those few changes you running your cottages will get better and easier.
Big hugs. kat
Me-53(and learning!) S24, S21, D18, D17 Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming. Dory
You are right! We always learn more from our mistakes. I had known I needed to do those things but time just got away from me.
They're gone! Ryan's worker just drove by & all cars were gone. A few things were broken (around the dock) but I don't think things are that bad. Whew!
Onward... I bought 5 Spruce trees for the property & we are planting them along the property line tomm. Josh planted a Spruce & 2 Maples here today. He's never planted a tree before. He was so proud! Tommorrow we also put a new door & screen door on one cottage with coded lock - the last one to get a coded lock - SO much easier than keys! I'm really excited to go when we don't have anyone moving in soon. I finally get to do what I want to do! New art work up etc.
I will never forget what happened this weekend but I won't let it steal my sunshine!
Thanks Wii! I guess it's not all "fun in the sun". Just had not counted on that craziness! Josh figures they had invited people up to join them - figuring they could share the the costs. Never thought we would show up so early - they'd pass them off as day guests. But they got called out on it and they decided to fight back. Not smart.
Just glad that's all over. Can't wait to get back up on the horse!
