Congratulations, you have decided to manage your own vacation rental.  Before you begin accepting bookings, take the time to properly prepare your vacation home for renters.   If you are new the vacation rental business, here are a few suggestions and a check list that will help you get started and avoid some potential pitfalls.

If your vacation home falls within the City of Big Bear Lake, it needs to be inspected and licensed before it can be legally rented.  If your vacation home has recently been operated by a rental agency, the chances are that you already meet the city requirements.  Even if your home is not located within the City of Big Bear Lake, the standards set by these ordinances provide solid guidelines for preparing any mountain home for renters.   A PDF copy of Big Bear Lake’s #99-300 Private Home Rental Ordinance and instruction manual is available on our Cabins & Coupons webpage.

MAKE IT RENTER FRIENDLY

Begin by setting aside a lockable closet, cabinet, or storage area for all your personal linens, towels, belongings, or other valuables.  Don’t leave personal items laying about the house.  Renters don’t want to be responsible for them, and you will only be upset when something disappears or gets damaged.  Your renters can bring their own linens, or you can make arrangements to have them provided.  The local Big Bear service providers listed in the Cabins & Coupons Homeowner Support Section will help you with any extra services that you or your renters may want.

For security purposes, all exterior doors should have double locks that are keyed separately.   The homeowner or their service provider will unlock the deadbolt before the renter arrives.  The renter will receive only one key to the separately keyed door knob.  After your renters have checked out the deadbolt will be relocked.

If you want your vacation renters to be responsible for trash removal, provide them with trash bags and instructions as to where they can find the nearest dump site.  Don’t provide large trash cans.  Service providers prefer trash bags, or they will charge for an extra trip if they have to return a trash can back to the house.   Make it clear that renters shouldn’t  leave trash cans or bags at the curb side for trash pickup.  Dogs, coyotes, and raccoons will be happy to scatter the contents all over the neighborhood.

Renting a vacation home can be a rewarding experience for both homeowner and renter.  If problems should occur, they are usually a result of poor communication between homeowner and renter.  It is the responsibility of the homeowner to make sure that the renter has a clear understanding of your occupancy regulations.  In addition to posting the occupancy regulations near the front door of your vacation home, make sure that your renter receives a print out before they check in.   The following vacation home pre rental check list is provided courtesy of BEAR LABOR.

STRUCTURAL ITEMS:

____ Interior Sign. Posted near front door with occupancy regulations.
____ Lockable closet or storage area for personal items & linens.
____ Exterior doors.  Door knobs & dead bolts with separate keys for each.
____ Exterior windows should all have screens.
____ Stairways, interior & exterior, should all have handrails.
____ Deck railings, maximum gap of 4 inches between railings or vertical bats.
____ Locking cover on hot tub or spas.
____ Exterior windows should be lockable from the inside.
____ Fire extinguishers, refillable with current certificates.  One per floor.
____ Smoke detectors.  One per kitchen, per bedroom, per level.
____ Lidded metal ash cans for BBQ’s & Fireplaces.
____ All tree branches cleared at least 10 feet from chimney.
____ No exposed wiring.
____ All outlets should have switch plates.
____ Emergency exit lights.  One per each level.
____ Adequate Renter Liability Insurance

BASIC HOME INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT:
____ Beds, 1 bedspread, 2 pillows, 2 blankets per each bed, hide a bed or pullout couch.
____ Place settings for each person up to the maximum occupancy (silverware, plates, bowls, glasses, & cups).
____ Kitchen.  Pots, pans, mixing bowls, coffee mugs, cooking utensils, hot pads, can opener.
____ Microwave
____ One television with cable or satellite hookup.
____ One DVD player per television.
____ Metal ash cans.
____ Vacuum cleaner, broom, dust pan, mop, bucket, toilet brush & plunger.
____ Wastebaskets for kitchen, bathrooms & bedrooms.
____ Snow Shovel.

EXPENDABLES:
____ Dishwashing liquid and/or dishwasher detergent.
____ Sponges, ___ Cleanser ___ de-greaser (409 etc.).
____ Trash Bags
____ Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, vacuum bags.

OPTIONAL INVENTORY CHECKLIST
____ Linens.  Sheets & Pillow cases per bed.  Two towels, one wash cloth per person.
____ BBQ with metal ash can.
____ Washer & Dryer

ITEMS NOT TO INCLUDE
____ Trash Cans
____ Candles or oil lamps

____ Personal items, photos, or other memorabilia.

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