Question How does your pricing software help me make more?
Our internally developed pricing software, OutSwitch, monitors a range of factors including seasonality, days of the week and local demand, to structure almost perfect pricing points for each night throughout the year.
Additionally, our gradual minimum length of booking rule, increases the minimum length of stay that guests can book depending on how far in advance the guest is trying to make the booking. This means that longer bookings are highly encouraged, providing more lucrative bookings and peace of mind over the reduced turnover of guests.
We have achieved an average 80% property occupancy across our host community, which combined with our dedicated revenue teams experience, ultimately creates more bookings at a better price.
Question What is the 90 day rule?
The 90 day rule limits the number of days your property can be short let per calendar year. Without additional authorisation from the council, your short let calendar will automatically close once 90 nights have been booked.
Question How does the 90 day rule affect me?
The 90 day rule limits the number of days your property can be short let per calendar year. Without authorisation from the council, your short let calendar will close once 90 nights have been booked.
City Relay manages bookings all year round by combining short let and mid/long let bookings (90+ nights), enabling you to make the most out of your property whilst remaining in compliance with regulations.
Our in-house long let team, are naturals in finding you tenants at different stages throughout the year, so you can be sure your property’s potential is met.
Question Do I pay taxes on UK airbnb income?
If you are renting out your spare room or whole property, you can earn up to £7,500 on a tax-free basis, providing that the property is your main residence and it is fully furnished for your guests. This is allowed under the Government scheme, Rent A Room.
If your rental income is higher than £7,500 annually through short letting your home, you will need to complete a tax return and pay tax on the additional amount.
If you are unsure about tax, you should seek advice from an accountant, who can inform you of the tax implications relative to your personal circumstances.
Question How do I see my property's performance report?
After joining our host community, you will be assigned to a friendly account manager, who will be your direct point of contact throughout hosting with us. Their role is to report back to you on how your property is performing and advise on any improvements required to increase your properties earning potential.
Additionally, you will receive login’s to our reservations platform where you can view your calendar availability, receive notifications of upcoming bookings and how much income you are likely to expect each month.
Additionally, you will receive login’s to our reservations platform where you can view upcoming bookings and how much income you are likely to expect.
Question What if I want to return to my home?
Your account manager is able to block your future booking calendar whenever you desire. By only opening the dates your property can facilitate guests, for instance when you are on holiday, there will never be any unexpected surprises.
Question What is the minimum contract length?
There is no minimum contract length with City Relay, and you can remove your property from our booking platform at any time. All we ask is you honour the guests that have already made future bookings in your property, to avoid guest disappointment.
Question When do I get paid?
You will receive payment for any guest stays in the first 14 working days of the next calendar month. If a guest stay spans across 2 months, the next calendar month will be calculated from the date that the guest checks out of the property.
For example, if you have a guest stay at your property between 10-17th September, you will receive the associated payment for that booking in October. If you have a guest stay at your property between 25th September – 3rd October, you will receive the associated payment for that booking within 14 working days in November.
Your designated account manager and our accounts team are always on hand to respond to any issues or queries you may have.
Question Where do you advertise my property?
We advertise your property across 30+ booking platforms, to reach a global and diverse audience of travellers. The aim is to attract as many different types of visitors from business or leisure bookings to family or couple holidays. These platforms include large travel websites such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia and HomeAway to localised or niche websites like The London Agent and TravelStaytion.
In addition, every property is marketed on our own booking platform and through social and email channels to a combined network of over 20,000 previous City Relay guests.
Question Is my property covered by insurance?
In addition to your own home insurance and the coverage offered by some booking platforms, such as Airbnb’s guarantee, we are also partnered with a specialist short letting insurance provider, Guardhog. They provide a range of comprehensive coverage direct to homeowners to protect their property from potential guest damages.
Question What happens if I have several booking accounts?
If you have existing bookings through your own Airbnb or other platform account, this is no problem – your calendar and the information of guests will be synced with our calendar.
Question What is an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement?
Assured shorthold tenancy is the most common type of agreement used by landlords to let residential properties to private tenants. ASTs are typically given for a period of six months but can be for longer. After this initial agreed period, the landlord is able to evict the tenant without a legal reason.
Question Who completes viewings on my property?
At City Relay, we receive and manage all potential tenant enquiries that are received as a result of our marketing on over 30+ portals including Rightmove and Zoopla. We respond to each enquiry as soon as possible, and viewing appointments are set up.
Our expert long let team are available 7 days a week to complete these viewings. Our knowledgeable team showcase the property and answer any queries promptly, to ensure a tenant is quickly secured at the best rental rate possible.
Question As a landlord, when do I get paid?
City Relay have recently introduced a new finance platform for rent collection, Payprop. Payprop receives rent payments from tenants and once matched in our system, provides instant payments to you as landlords. From this platform, you will also receive detailed monthly statements sent out at the first week of every month.
Question What compliance rules do I need to meet?
To ensure that your guests have an enjoyable and safe stay in your property, it’s important that you have completed all your safety checks. Most checks are required on a regular basis, and are either local or national safety regulations.
Here are some of the safety checks to carry out before you short let your property. Our team of experts can advise you on what is required for your property:
Question How is the City Relay service different from the rest?
We’re the only management company in London providing a full, end-to-end service across both short let airbnb rentals and long let tenancies – making us different to everyone in the market, including estate agents.
We carry out all operations in-house – everything from welcoming guests at our Reception Spaces, personal check-in’s, smart pricing, marketing, account management, contract and compliance management, housekeeping, maintenance and much more. We’ll never outsource so you can be assured your property is always in the best hands.
Question Can I switch between short, mid and long letting?
We work hard to maximise your occupancy and bookings all year round by combining short let bookings with mid to long let bookings (90+ nights). We coordinate the transition between short and long letting in-house, providing you a one-stop, hassle-free way to make the most out of your property whilst remaining in compliance with regulations.
Our fully qualified in-house long let team are experts in finding tenants for London properties at different stages throughout the year. So as a property owner, you can rest assured that your property’s earning potential is fully met.
Question How does the check-in/check-out procedure work?
Our aim is to offer every guest a friendly and convenient start to their London stay.
City Relay are the only company in London which own Reception Spaces across London, which are home to our friendly guest teams. Upon booking, they are offered the option to collect the keys of the property from the Reception Spaces, along with a warm drink, happy smile and additional information about the home and area. Alternatively, we also conduct personal check-ins at the property if this is more convenient for them.
Question Do City Relay complete reference checks and take security deposits?
Our comprehensive vetting and referencing, including credit and personal checks, add the first level of security before we rent out your property. Additionally at this stage, we also collect deposit payments from Airbnb short let guests and long let tenants, to ensure the cost of any repair work picked up by the check-out report is covered.
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