10 Ways to Make Your Rental Property Kid-Friendly
Is your rental property family-friendly? While you might have once imagined your beds full of vagabonds and travel-loving couples, the travel scene is shifting. In fact, Travel Agent Central reported that 44% of millennials travel with their children.
If you want to capture more of the market and boost your bottom line, your rental properties need to accommodate all types of travelers. If you’re wondering how to do that, you’ve come to the right place.
Today, our Australian rental property experts are revealing the top 10 ways to make your rental property kid-friendly. Stay tuned for everything you need to know about accommodating guests of all ages.
10 Ways to Make Your Rental Property Kid-Friendly
Want to expand your rental portfolio to include families? Below are the top 10 ways to make your rental property kid-friendly:
1. Buy Some Toys
Investing in a handful of quality, kid-approved toys will have parents leaving you raving reviews in no time! Toys are often big, bulky, and awkward to travel with. So, if you mention that your property has some on hand, it’ll be a major selling point for parents. Here are some affordable and easy options to stock up on:
- Sports equipment – Footballs, basketballs, frisbees, bicycles, skateboards, and pretty much any other forms of sports equipment are guaranteed to be a hit.
- Boardgames – Boardgames come in a wide variety and are tons of fun for the whole family. If you’re not looking to buy new, browse your local thrift shop or repurpose the ones you have lying around your home.
- Puzzles – No rental property is complete without a puzzle on the shelves; they offer a great way to pass the time between activities and on a rainy day.
- Movies – If you’re trying to lure families with older children, movies are a terrific way to do just that. You don’t need physical DVDs anymore, just have a streaming service or two available on the TVs in your rental property.
2. Install Outlet Covers and Locks
Whenever youngsters are running around, it’s wise to install outlet covers and cabinet locks. Basically, you want to eliminate or lock up anything that could be a potential threat. If possible, we recommend locking any doors that lead to balconies or down long flights of stairs. If that’s not an option, try baby-proofing the doorknobs.
3. Help with Nap Time
Kids tire easily—as do their parents if we’re being honest. That’s why we recommend helping out with naptime. Consider purchasing cribs or bed rails to have on hand. Additionally, investing in blackout curtains can help young children (and adults) nap during the day. If you want to go the extra mile, invest in a humidifier, nightlight, fan, or white noise machine.
4. Highlight Local Child-Friendly Activities
Many rental property hosts leave their guests with recommendations of suggested restaurants, shops, and attractions around town. If you’re looking to make your rental property family-friendly, why not highlight some attractions the whole family will love? We recommend listing the local parks, museums, monuments, and other family-friendly activities your town has to offer.
5. Make the Home Easy to Clean
Kids are messy, so don’t fill your family-friendly rental property with expensive rugs and an abundance of luxury furniture. When parents travel with kids, they look for rental properties that are easy to clean. To secure a spot on that list, replace stained and worn carpet with tile or wood floors and paint the walls with satin paint (it’s more durable than flat paint).
6. Invest in Upgraded Security and Safety Features
What parent doesn’t want to keep their family safe? Make this easier by installing a security system and/or a fence around your property. If you’re worried about the cost of investment, simply include it in the monthly rent. If your property has two stories, install a strong banister and railing running along the stairs and make sure the spaces between the railings aren’t large enough for a child to slip through.
7. Prepare for Emergencies
There’s no telling when an accident might happen, so we recommend providing the essentials that a parent might need. Every rental property should have a first aid kit on hand. Additionally, hosts should list the nearest hospitals and convenience stores, as well as the rental property’s main point of contact, and post it somewhere easily accessible, like on the fridge.
8. Add Extra Sleeping Spaces
Adding additional sleeping options is a great way to make your space more inclusive to families. Keep in mind that many families choose to stay in rental properties because hotels don’t have enough accommodations. Bunk beds, trundle beds, and pull-out sofas are all excellent ways to add occupancy to your property. Additionally, make sure you have ample blankets, pillows, and sheets to accommodate the whole family.
9. Allow Pets
While allowing pets and kids might seem risky, doing so makes your property incredibly appealing to families. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon for families to have a furry friend they may want to bring along. When you’re already kid-proofing your property, pet-proofing it won’t be much harder. Remember that a pet-friendly rental will help you stand out among your competitors and your guests will be responsible for cleaning up after their animals.
10. Minimize Clutter and Maximize Storage
Families come with a lot of baggage—literally. To make sure your rental property is kid-friendly, we recommend clearing out the clutter and finding another spot for your knick-knacks. Then, provide great storage solutions for your guests to keep all their luggage, souvenirs, and other possessions.
List Your Kid-Friendly Property Today
If you’re interested in transforming your vacation rental into a kid-friendly sanctuary, rest assured that it’s easier than you might think. With these 10 ways to make your rental property kid-friendly, we’re confident that you’ll be increasing your bookings in no time.
Once your kid-friendly property is up and running, CabinKey will help you ensure that your beds stay full all season long. As a leading property management company, we provide property owners with all the necessary tools to make running their rentals easy.
Browse our service page to discover our double-book protection, flexible add-ons, affordable pricing plans, military-grade protection, and more. Contact our team to get started today
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