Renting out a holiday home can give owners a decent income, but investing in six must-have extras can add a pre-tax value of £20,000 a year, experts reveal.
Research by holiday rental company Sykes Holiday Cottages says the average holiday let earns £24,500 a year, before tax.
The most searched for features on its website are a hot tub, followed by wifi, the nearest pub and garden facilities.
It says access to wifi boosts potential income by as much as 55 pc. The next best value-for-money improvement is a hot tub, adding as much as 37 pc to rental value. This is followed by having a child- or pet-friendly property, which together add up to 15 pc.
Holiday let experts share how these and other ideas - such as a fire pit, cinema room and a state-of-the-art coffee machine - are investments that see guests willing to pay more for their stay.
Costs calculated are for the initial investment and yearly upkeep, with the value added calculated for a year.
Hot tub... Total cost: £7,000. Value per year: £9,000A hot tub can increase the value of your holiday home by £9,000, especially if it can be used all year round
Prices for a seven-foot tub that can accommodate four people start at about £5,000 but you can spend £20,000 or more on luxury models. Companies to consider include Arctic Spas, Bullfrog Spas, Hot Spring, Jacuzzi and Sundance Spas.
Magazines such as WhatSpa? can provide guidance on options but you must also consider installation costs. These include budgeting for a four-inch-thick concrete base and
Purisaki Pflaster Erfahrungen an electrician to connect the hot tub to an outdoor power source, adding a further £1,000 plus a £100 cover for when it's not in use.
There are also regular running costs and maintenance fees that will eat into your budget. Expect to refill a hot tub four times a year and use cleaning chemicals, which totals £300. It might also add £600 a year to your electricity bill. As a holiday rental also budget for a £100 yearly service.
Wifi... Total Cost: £540. Value per year: Up to £13,500Guests usually want to kick back and watch movies on holiday - especially families with younger children - so it is always worth providing wifi
The cost of providing wifi can pay for itself within ten days. You are selling an idyllic dream away from the hustle bustle of modern life - but that does not mean your guests do not want the option of kicking back and watching the latest movies or sharing their holiday fun on social media. You are also investing in providing choice - so you can still opt to market a 'digital detox' service for those guests who would rather escape the net.