This past weekend, as is usual every Saturday, I go to my cottage and do the changeover between guests. Osprey Cottage is my pride and joy – my paradise. Whenever I get the chance I’m there; watching the herons and osprey fishing in the river; listening to the sound of the water on the rapids, and feeling that profound relaxation that comes from being in a place you love. And on a Saturday I have five hours between my guests departing at 11am, and the new group arriving at 4, to check everything is just right for them.
So far this summer it’s been pretty good – in fact this week I could barely tell there had been anyone there -the place was spotless. Sadly though, there are times when I walk in and know from the first moment, I am going to be cutting it fine to get it finished in time. On those occasions I do get irritated because it is a part of the rental agreement that the rental guests leave the cottage in the same state as it was found.
This year I’ve had more people than usual ask why they have to clean a cottage before they leave. I’m guessing that there are many ‘first timers’ this year – families deciding to stay close to home for their vacation and some doing a self-catering holiday for the first time. They are more used to package holidays and vacations in hotels where there’s a maid service to come in and clear up after them, and find the notion of cleaning a bathroom and a kitchen floor a strange thing to be asked to do. However there are very good reasons behind the practice of expecting rental guests to clean before they leave.
Maid service is not generally available in cottage country with locations often far from residential areas. With this shortage, when an owner does find a caretaker or cleaner, they generally have two or three cottages to changeover in the few short hours between renters leaving and the next arriving. Their tasks are mainly to replenish supplies, check for overall cleanliness and ensure all is in place for the incoming rental group. If they have a major clean-up to do in one cottage, they may not have time to get to others before the next eager families arrive expecting to find a pristine property.
Where owners do their own cleaning and maintenance, they are driving up from the city and have to contend with the same traffic their guests do, so may arrive late with a shortened amount of time to do all the yard work and changeover tasks.
The bottom line is, if you’re not prepared to meet the Terms and Conditions of a rental, don’t take this type of vacation. Cottages are not Florida villas with daily maid service (which incidentally you usually have to pay for, whether you want it or not) – they are often the owners’ much loved vacation home, in which they have put many hours of time and effort in making it ready for their rental guests. Please respect this and you will be welcomed back.
- Follow the instructions in the Cottage Guide and cleaning checklist
- Clean up and remove dog mess, cigarette butts and bottle tops from outside areas
- Take away your garbage or leave as instructed in the Guide
- Return furniture and cottage items to their original place
‘Leave no footprint and take away only memories’
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As a cottage owner renting out our family cottage for the first time this year, I was thrilled to come across your site. I have included your blogsite in my information package for our first time renters. The insite and details that you provide will give any first time renter a clear understanding of what to expect from their experience and what the owner in return expects from their rentors. Bravo and thank-you for your hard work. I have included a link from my blog back to this site.