Rent out your holiday home.

First, clarify: What is included in the stay?

Start with a simple description of the space on offer. Do guests have the whole house to themselves, do they occupy a separate floor, or are you letting out a room? Having a separate entrance does not fully answer this question. You should therefore specify whether the kitchen, hallway, garden or driveway are shared, and whether other people will be staying in the building during their stay.

Even within a house for exclusive use, individual rooms may remain closed off. A private storage room is nothing out of the ordinary. It is important that the photos and the description reflect the same scope. If you photograph a workshop or an extra living room simply because of its appearance, even though guests cannot access it, this can easily give a false impression.

State the key distinction as early as possible. A sentence such as ‘You’ll be using the ground floor and the garden; the upper floor will remain unoccupied and locked’ explains more than several general statements about privacy. Adapt such examples to your own property and add precisely those details that are not yet clear from the photographs.

Explain the layout of the accommodation from the perspective of a group of travellers

Picture yourself walking from the entrance through the house and describe how the rooms are laid out. Are all the bedrooms on one floor? Do you have to walk through one bedroom to reach another? Is the only bathroom downstairs, whilst the beds are upstairs? These layout details are often not apparent from individual, attractive photos.

Distinguish between fixed beds and sleeping arrangements that need to be set up. In the case of a sofa bed in the living room, it helps to mention that the room becomes a sleeping area at night. State the actual layout rather than just a maximum number of people. Two couples may have different expectations to a family, even if both groups consist of four people.

Also think about everyday life together. A dining table seating six, two comfortable seats in the living room and a small kitchen each convey a different impression of how the space is used. Describe the available work surfaces, seating options and quiet corners. From this, guests can work out for themselves whether your house suits their plans, without you having to promise them a specific type of holiday.

Show the garden, terrace and neighbourhood in detail

Outdoor areas have a particularly strong influence on the image of a holiday home. Show which areas are actually included and how to access them. A terrace directly adjoining the kitchen is used differently to a seating area behind an outbuilding. If the garden is shared with you or other guests, this information should be included directly in its description.

When making statements about fencing, peace and quiet or views, it pays to be precise. Instead of simply describing the garden as ‘escape-proof’, describe the existing fence and any open access points. Instead of promising complete tranquillity, explain the location: for example, on a local road, next to a property with commercial activity, or within a densely built-up neighbourhood.

Outdoor photos should not conceal the season. A table laid for a summer meal can make a good impression, provided it remains clear what facilities are available even for an autumn trip. Don’t forget to show practical access points: steps leading to the patio door, the path to the car park and the spot where guests unload their luggage.

A series of images, like a brief tour of the property

For the first photo, choose a view that truly characterises your home. This could be the exterior, but it could also be a bright living room or a distinctive dining area. After that, the order should provide a clear overview: communal living area, kitchen, bedrooms, bathroom and outdoor space. Repeated photos of the same sofa corner provide less information than a missing photo of the second bedroom.

Photograph rooms in such a way that their size and layout remain clear. Extreme wide-angle shots or significantly altered colours can mislead guests. An additional photo taken from a normal angle often better illustrates the layout of the bed, wardrobe and door in relation to one another. Show sloping ceilings and low doorways exactly as guests will encounter them whilst moving through the property.

Then check your selection without reading the accompanying text. Is it clear which bedroom is which? Is a bathroom missing? Does a private area accidentally appear to be part of the listing? Ask someone else to review the tour with a fresh pair of eyes and tell you where they lose their sense of direction.

Align availability and prices with actual operations

Before listing your property, consider when the house is actually available. Your own stays, planned maintenance work and sufficient time for preparation should all be factored into your planning. Particularly in the case of a house with several rooms, the handover between two groups is more than just a key handover date. Take into account the processes that you can reliably organise yourself.

Make a note of what you provide for a stay: bed linen, towels, kitchen utensils or the use of specific outdoor areas. Check that this list matches your description and pricing details. This way, it will be obvious if a photo suggests something that is only offered by prior arrangement or is unavailable during certain months.

A well-maintained listing occasionally needs a fresh look. If the study becomes a bedroom or the terrace is temporarily closed, update the relevant details and photos together. The useful question to ask is: would someone arriving today find exactly what I’m showing them in this advert?

Using your existing knowledge to create the listing

You don’t need to prepare any promotional text. A brief list of rooms, sleeping arrangements, shared areas and the key features is sufficient as a starting point. Then add details on how to get there from the guest’s perspective: where is the property located, how do you reach the entrance, and which local landmarks will help on a first visit?

You can list your property for free on BookNoFees. During the listing process, select the appropriate type of accommodation and add a description, photos, details, a calendar and the price. You then submit your listing for review. Start with the rooms you wish to offer and, step by step, build up a coherent picture of your home.

• Clearly name the living space on offer.
• Describe beds and room layouts clearly.
• Ensure photos match the current facilities.
• Plan available dates and your own use together.