8 Top Tips for Maintaining Your Holiday Home and Protecting Its Value

A well-maintained holiday home commands higher rental rates, attracts better reviews and avoids the costly repairs that come from neglect. The work you do between seasons - particularly in autumn - protects your investment and keeps guests returning year after year.

Should you repaint the exterior before winter or spring?

Autumn is often the better time for exterior painting, not spring. Applying protective paint before harsh winter weather arrives means exposed timber, window frames and render are sealed before frost, damp and wind cause damage. If you wait until spring, early-season guests may arrive to find flaking paint and an unflattering first impression.

Water-based masonry paint or good-quality exterior wood stain (from brands such as Dulux, Johnstone's or Sadolin) lasts three to five years with proper preparation. The cost of repainting is considerably less than repairing rotted frames or damp-damaged walls.

How do you tidy a holiday home garden ready for winter?

Cut back overgrowth, remove dead plants and clear leaves from lawns and paths before the first frost. Neglected gardens become significantly harder to restore in spring, and an overgrown exterior discourages bookings.

If you use a local gardener or groundskeeper, arrange a late-October or early-November visit. For a property you manage yourself, a half-day's work in autumn saves several days of harder work in spring. Secure any garden furniture that could be damaged or become a hazard in high winds.

Why should you drain the water system in a vacant holiday home?

Burst pipes are one of the most expensive repairs a holiday let owner can face - repair costs can easily reach £2,000 to £10,000 or more when water damage to ceilings, floors and contents is included. Draining down the system by shutting off the stopcock and running taps until empty removes the risk of freezing pipes during a cold spell.

Before doing this, check your insurance policy. Some holiday let insurers - including Schofields, Boshers and Hiscox - require you to maintain a minimum level of heating (typically 7 to 10 degrees Celsius) during winter rather than draining the system. Failing to comply can invalidate a claim.

How do you clear drainage to prevent flood damage?

Clear valley gutters, standard gutters and downpipes of leaves and debris before autumn ends. Autumn is the most critical period because fallen leaves create blockages quickly. A blocked downpipe sends water back against the roof or wall, causing damp penetration that can take months to appear and is expensive to repair.

A telescopic gutter clearing tool costs £20 to £40 and makes the job straightforward on most single-storey or low-rise properties. For properties with complex roofs or difficult access, a gutter-clearing service typically costs £50 to £150. This is a small cost compared to a damp remediation bill.

What should a holiday home safety check include?

After a busy summer season, carry out a methodical check of everything guests interact with. Cover the following:

• Floorboards: check for loose or soft sections that could cause trips or falls
• Stairs: test every tread, handrail and banister for stability
• Electrical sockets and light fittings: look for signs of damage or scorching
• All appliances: check cookers, hobs, toasters and washing machines for faults
• Child safety gates: test latches and hinges after heavy use
• Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: test batteries and replace if needed

Holiday let owners have a legal duty of care to guests. If a guest is injured because of a known or reasonably foreseeable hazard, you may be liable for compensation.

Is internal redecoration worth doing before the new season?

Fresh paint in high-traffic areas - hallways, bathrooms and kitchens - makes a property feel cleaner and more cared-for. Guests notice peeling paint, scuffed walls and tired decor in reviews, and negative comments about presentation directly affect booking rates.

A coat of paint in a neutral colour such as Farrow and Ball's Pointing or Dulux's White Mist costs relatively little per room and can transform a tired interior. Plan redecoration to complete at least two weeks before the first spring booking to allow drying time and thorough ventilation.

How do you review holiday let insurance properly?

Holiday let insurance differs from standard home insurance and must be specifically arranged. Standard home policies do not cover paying guests, commercial liability or the specific risks of an unoccupied property. Specialist insurers such as Schofields, Boshers, Hiscox and Aviva offer dedicated holiday let policies.

Review your policy annually to check: the buildings rebuild cost (not market value) is accurate; your contents sum insured reflects current replacement values; and public liability cover is at least £2 million. Some mortgage lenders require holiday let insurance as a condition of lending - check your mortgage terms.

What does weatherproofing a holiday home involve?

Check door and window seals for gaps, cracks or perishing rubber. Inspect roof slates or tiles for damage after summer storms. Look at flashings around chimneys and skylights for signs of lifting or cracking. Check valley gutters where two roof planes meet, as these are common points of water ingress.

These checks are particularly important if the property stands empty for two or more months. A small leak discovered in autumn costs far less to repair than the water damage that accumulates through a winter of neglect.

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Do I need specialist holiday let insurance or can I use standard home insurance?

You need specialist holiday let insurance. Standard home insurance policies exclude commercial use, paying guests and properties left unoccupied for extended periods. Without the correct policy, a claim following a guest injury, fire or flood could be rejected entirely. Specialist providers include Schofields, Boshers and Hiscox.

How often should I carry out a safety check on my holiday let?

At minimum, carry out a thorough safety check at the start and end of the main letting season. After any incident or complaint, check the specific area immediately. Many professional holiday let managers inspect properties between every booking, which is best practice if you can manage it.

Can I drain the water system to prevent burst pipes in winter?

Yes, but check your insurance policy first. Some holiday let insurers require you to maintain a minimum temperature rather than drain the system. If your policy requires heating to be left on, install a programmable thermostat set to 7 to 10 degrees Celsius and ensure someone can check the property during cold snaps.

What do holiday home guests complain about most in reviews? Cleanliness and maintenance issues are the most common complaints on platforms such as Airbnb and Sykes Cottages. Specific issues include peeling paint, damp smells, faulty appliances, broken furniture and overgrown gardens. Addressing these proactively - rather than reactively after a bad review - protects your rating and booking rate.

Is a holiday home a good investment in the UK? It can be, particularly in popular tourist areas such as the Lake District, Cornwall and the Scottish Highlands, where occupancy rates and nightly rates are strong. However, mortgage interest relief changes since 2017 have reduced the tax efficiency of holiday lets, and Furnished Holiday Letting tax rules changed in April 2025. Speak to an accountant who specialises in property before purchasing.