Many renters invite guests to document their stay in welcome book to your vacation rental home, but these books are not just for the homeowners to keep track of who has visited.
Welcome books are great ways to offer services to your renters by providing them with a list of local restaurants, attractions, sites and other area activities.
This welcome packet will also help answer any questions vacationers may have in regards to the home and its amenities.
This is good for both you as the homeowner, and the renters as it will eliminate any unnecessary phone calls from your guests while they are staying in the home, as well as facilitate an enjoyable stay.
In addition to reducing the amount of questions the renter may have, guests will also appreciate having suggestions of things to do at their fingertips.
You can also include a bunch of blank pages in order for the guests to share their experiences and notes.
Homeowners have the option of making individual packets, specific to each visitor, or putting together a single, comprehensive welcome book to keep in the home year-round. It is purely up to you.
So where to start? In order to create a book to welcome your guests to the home, purchase a three ring binder from the local office supply store.
You will also need to purchase sheet protectors in order to keep the pages from being torn.
A handwritten note that is signed will be great in the front of the book as it adds a personal touch. Then you will just collect information and add it to the book.
Such information should include:
Information About the Surrounding Area
- Maps of the area
- Menus from local restaurants
- Amusement park brochures if there is a park near the home
- Church schedules
- Directions, as well as the phone numbers to pharmacies, hospitals and other emergency establishments
- Directions to the grocery store
- Information and directions for the local airport
- Any shopping information that is relevant
- Coupons for attractions shopping
Information about the Lake Home
- Instructions for the DVD player, satellite and other entertainment equipment
- How to override the thermostat
- How to work any controls for boats, swimming pools or other amenities
- Local television channel listings
Emergency Numbers
- Housekeeper
- Maintenance Person
- Home Owner
- Police Department
- Fire Department
- Weather Information
- Poison Control Center
Rental Rules
- Check-In Policy
- Checkout Policies and Times
- Complex Rules
- Subdivision Rules
- Parking Information
- Quiet Times
You can create documents for each of the items on the list and then print them out. For an extra appeal you can make them themed.
For example, for a lake home decorate your pages with life jackets, fishing poles and other lake related items.
It is also recommended you provide pages for people to sign their names like they would a guest book.
Make sure to include any information that is relevant to the neighborhood as well, like if there is a neighbor that does not like to be bothered.
A small little warning to avoid that person could help to make the weekend or visit good for both the guests and the neighbor.
Additional lake house renting information can be found on our blog by clicking here!
When 
Ultimately, you are responsible for the repairs on the home. Yes, you can charge a security deposit so that you can afford the materials in order to repair and clean the home once the renters are through with the property.
It is important that you create a basic contract to protect you from bad happenings that can come with renting out your property. It will need to include dates, pricing, and the expectations for the condition of your home upon the renters leaving the property.