How to Set a Holiday Rental Price

• List fixed costs such as insurance, financing, local charges, internet and planned maintenance.
• Add variable costs such as cleaning, laundry, utilities, consumables, payment and platform fees.
• Set aside a reserve for repairs, replacement equipment and periods without guests.
• Estimate realistic occupied nights instead of dividing costs by the maximum possible availability.
• Include the owner’s time for communication, arrivals, cleaning coordination and problem solving.

Use the owner checklist to identify operating tasks. The result should show the minimum income the property needs over a full year; it is not automatically the final advertised nightly price.

Compare properties with similar size, sleeping capacity, location, access, equipment, outdoor space and target group. Check the complete price, including cleaning, linen, utilities, minimum stay, deposits and other mandatory charges. A visible nightly rate alone is not a reliable comparison.

Availability and advertised prices show the market at a particular moment. They do not guarantee that the same occupancy or income is achievable. Compare several periods and record the assumptions behind the calculation.

Divide the year into periods that reflect actual demand at the location. Consider school holidays, local events, weather, transport and seasonal services. A minimum stay may reduce changeover work, while shorter stays may improve flexibility; the better choice depends on demand and operating capacity.

Pet fees, extra guests, linen, heating or special services should be stated before a booking request. Avoid a long list of small surcharges that makes the final price difficult to understand.

Review the calendar at defined intervals instead of changing prices without a reason. Useful criteria include enquiries, occupied nights, lead time, comparable offers, cost changes, cancellations and the owner’s capacity to manage bookings.

If demand is weak, check the photographs, description, equipment, arrival information, target group, season and accessibility together with the price. A lower price cannot compensate for unclear information or an unsuitable offer.

State who the contracting party is, what the price includes, when payment and deposits are due, and how changes or cancellations are handled. Confirm changes to dates, guests, services or charges in writing. Keep booking confirmations, payment records and relevant messages for the required period.

• Does the price cover realistic annual costs and a repair reserve?
• Are comparable properties genuinely comparable?
• Can guests see the complete price before booking?
• Which seasonal, minimum-stay and additional-charge rules are justified by demand and effort?