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The Most important things for a caravan owner when Renting out a caravan is to ensure the safety and peace of mind of the holiday makers. Here’s some great tips tips to help you do this.
Tip 1: Central heating safety
Central heating systems on modern static caravan and holiday homes are a brilliant addition. They do a better job than electric heating in keeping your caravan warm and toasty and are also far more efficient therefore cheaper to run.
Central heating system in static caravans and holiday homes are of the same standard as domestic heating system used in normal homes. They must be fitted by qualified Gas Safe engineers and checked regularly to ensure they are running efficiently and safe. If you are insuring your caravan you will usually be required to have your boiler checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer and certified before you insurance policy will be agreed.
It is common place for the Gas Safe engineer who checks your caravan boiler to leave a certificate sticker or document next to your boiler which states a recommended schedule for the service or check-up of your boiler. If possible it is always advisable to abide by this schedule due to the potential life threatening implications caused by the risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning if the boiler malfunctions. This is especially significant in static caravans and holiday homes as there are so many occupants in a relatively small space in close proximity to the boiler with limited ventilation.
Tip 2: Carbon Monoxide alarms
Carbon monoxide poising can be fatal. It’s a silent killer that you don’t know is happening until it is too late. It is important to have a minimum of two carbon monoxide alarms in a static caravan or holiday home in close proximity to the most at risk gas appliances and central heating boiler. One of the alarms will act as a backup if the other malfunctions.
It is also very important to check the alarms before every new occupancy of the caravan by holiday makers. Most Carbon monoxide alarms are battery powered and therefore should be checked in the same way you check a smoke alarm. By pressing the small button on the alarm the siren should sound.
Tip 3: Smoke alarms
We all know the dangers of fires. In caravans the most likely causes will be gas appliances and electrical devices. The best protection from fire for holiday makers will be numerous smoke alarms spread around the caravan to give the occupants of the caravan as much notice as possible of any fire. You should check the fire alarms before every occupancy by pressing their test button. You should not rent out a property unless the fire alarms are in full working order.
It is always a good idea to provide a fire blanket next to the Cooker and an extinguisher near the kitchen exit. This will offer the occupant opportunity to tackle any small fire and potentially save your holiday home.
Tip 4: Gas Bottle
If your caravan is not connected to a mains or site gas supply it is important to ensure you have more than enough gas remaining to get the occupants through their tenancy period. This doesn’t hold any major safety concerns but could ruin the holiday for your occupants and be quite embarrassing for yourself as the owner. As well as checking gas levels you should also check the bottle is connected correctly and there’s no sign of damage to the gas lines.
Tip 5: Water supply and leaks
Test every tap including the shower to ensure all are working correctly. Ensure the hot water is working as expected and water pressure is normal. Check the toilets to ensure they aren’t blocked and the flush is working.
Tip 6: Heating
If you have central heating ensure this is working as expected. Also check any electric heaters and fires the caravan may have. If these aren’t working correctly you should let your occupants know as soon as possible before their arrival.
Tip 7: Cooker
Check the hob and oven are working correctly. Gas cooker will have ventilation nearby. Ensure these aren’t blocked or covered in any way.
Tip 8: Fridge & Freezer
Ensure the fridge and or freezer are working as required. Again if these aren’t working correctly contact the future occupants as soon as possible before their arrival to let them know of the issue.
Tip 9: Damage Checklist
Check your entire caravan for damage, broken items and stains. Note all of these down. And read them to your occupants on arrival. Have them sign this before you leave. This way both you and the occupant can be happy with the security deposit. The occupant will know of any damage caused by themselves that is not on the list and you will know of all existing damage.
Tip 10: Occupant/Holiday maker run through
When the occupants arrive show them through the basics. This includes how to operate the central heating system. How to turn the cooker on, where to get their site amusement passes, where the local shops. If you have a gas or electric fire how them how to turn it on and lastly but probably most importantly to some occupants who them how to operate the TV.
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