Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals

• Shorter Booking Windows? Get Your Rates Right with PriceLabs

  Booking windows are shrinking and winter is coming – so how should hosts price the shoulder season?In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – Siana Vesselinova from PriceLabs breaks down UK summer trends, why you shouldn’t panic-drop rates, and the pricing and occupancy signals to watch as we head into winter.You’ll learn practical tactics to capture demand in a slower market: flexible minimum stays, dynamic minimum stay settings, workation-friendly policies, and how to use PriceLabs to set smarter rates. We also cover why knowing your financials and floor rates matters more than ever.Plus: Host Planet Roadshow details and how to start a 30-day free trial with PriceLabs.2:00 Summer trends in the UK3:34 The booking window is shortening5:03 Don’t panic and tank your rates too quickly6:23 Pricing and occupancy trends heading into winter7:29 Tips to capture demand in a slower market9:39 Flexibility and minimum stays10:57 Travel trends, including workations12:39 How PriceLabs helps STR hosts14:47 How PriceLabs works when setting rates16:10 Dynamic minimum stay settings17:28 The importance of knowing your financials18:45 Host Planet Roadshow19:30 30-day free trial with PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/?utm_source=hostplanet&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=hostplanet&utm_term=hpLooking for a great PMS or digital guidebook? You need Hostfully!Check out these special offers:Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.Click here to sign up for Hostfully: https://tinyurl.com/3ay8bhtkKeen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-DemoEmail Frank: [email protected] Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/Siana Vesselinova: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sianavesselinova13/PriceLabs: https://hello.pricelabs.co/?utm_source=hostplanet&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=hostplanet&utm_term=hpEpisode to check next: Master Your Minimum Stay Strategy with PriceLabs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TivYkUjBrMI&t=1sHost Planet Bitesize is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.Contact the show: [email protected]#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer #PriceLabs #DynamicPricing #SianaVesselinova

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• Farm Diversification: Make Holiday Lets Work

  Thinking about diversifying your farm income? In this episode of Holiday Let Insider, Katie Williams from Sykes Holiday Cottages explains why holiday letting can outperform other property investments – and how to get started the right way.What we cover:- Why diversification into holiday lets makes sense for farms.- Best conversions (barns, annexes, shepherd’s huts) and must-have amenities.- A real case study and what to focus on first.- Planning permission and regulation essentials.- How Sykes can help you launch and scale.1:49 Why diversification is a good idea for farmers 3:09 The advantages of holiday letting compared to other forms of property investment4:55 Join us for Holiday Let Success at Sykes HQ in Chester on Tuesday 11 November5:47 The type of conversions which work best7:05 The amenities guests are looking for12:06 Diversification case study17:26 What to concentrate on at the start of your diversification journey22:00 Planning permission and regulation23:22 Speak to Sykes if you’d like to get started: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/letyourcottage/Farm Business Innovation Show: 5-6 November: https://www.farmbusinessshow.co.uk/Holiday Let Success: Tuesday 11 November, Sykes HQ, Chester: https://www.hostplanet.club/events (this event is now fully booked!)Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/Katie Williams: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-williams-5949a0a2/Sykes Holiday Cottages: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/letyourcottage/Episode to check next: Responsible Holiday Letting: Boost Accessibility & Enhance the Guest Experience: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWPro9KuSFA&t=5sHoliday Let Insider is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.Contact the show: [email protected]#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #SykesCottages #JamesVarley #KatieWilliams #Farming #Diversification

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• How to Scale a Luxury Holiday Let Business

  For our latest Host Planet Playbook feature, we’re joined by James Cornwell, Co-Founder of Curated Property, to discuss scaling operations, challenges and opportunities in the holiday let industry, and how to prosper in the luxury sector.James shares candid insights on:- Scaling ops: playbooks for quality control, owners, and multi-market growth.- UK landscape: how current legislation impacts STR strategy.- Work-life balance: hard-won lessons from the founder seat.- Upsells that serve: why not every upsell should be a cash grab.- Tech stack: essential tools powering Curated Property.- Plus, shout-outs for Alistair Handyside, Graham Donoghue, and Rudy Abrahams.Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the short-term rental space.1:39 Curated Property2:13 James’s journey in the STR space3:03 How Curated Property stands out4:07 The main challenges and opportunities, including fire risk assessments and planning permission7:03 What the industry needs to do to fight back7:54 The sweet spot in relation to property management and customer service10:54 How to keep owners happy12:55 Great guest experience starts with training for staff16:37 Upselling to high-end guests17:56 Biggest lesson learned20:28 Good financial hygiene is essential 21:56 Work-life balance 24:06 What James loves most about his work26:00 Quickfire questions28:02 Most memorable hosting moment29:00 Shout-outs: Alistair Handyside, Graham Donoghue, and Rudy Abrahams31:17 Ultimate goalJames Cornwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamescornwell/Curated Property: https://www.curated-property.com/The Host Planet Playbook was created in collaboration with Hospitable. Interested in using a PMS which will help you manage your rentals on autopilot? Get 25% off Hospitable for the first three months: https://hospitable.com/partners/hostplanetDownload a free copy of the Host Planet Playbook: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-playbookThe Host Planet Playbook series is presented by James Varley, Founder and CEO of Host Planet. Connect with James on LinkedIn: Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

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• DAC7 Explained: What Every STR Host and Property Manager Needs to Know

  In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – Natalie Dowling breaks down DAC7 – the EU directive changing how short-term rental income is reported and taxed.We cover:- What DAC7 is and why it was introduced.- How it affects hosts and property management companies.- Who’s responsible for data collection and reporting.- How to stay compliant — and what happens if you don’t.- The real penalties for getting DAC7 wrong.Many STR businesses are still in the dark about DAC7 – this episode gives you the clarity you need to stay ahead, stay compliant, and protect your business.0:49 What is DAC7 and why was it introduced?6:32 How DAC7 affects short-term rental hosts and property managers8:02 The platform authority is responsible for reporting8:30 How to collect data and report earnings 11:10 Some companies are still in the dark about DAC712:24 Where property management companies can go for help13:49 Where PMCs should start15:49 Can an accountant deal with this?17:21 The difference between personal and company set-ups on the OTAs like Airbnb and Booking.com18:44 The potential penalties of not complying with DAC7Blog post featuring key links: https://www.hostplanet.club/post/dac7-what-every-short-term-rental-business-needs-to-knowLooking for a great PMS or digital guidebook? You need Hostfully!Check out these special offers:Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.Click here to sign up for Hostfully: https://tinyurl.com/3ay8bhtkKeen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-DemoEmail Frank: [email protected] Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/Natalie Dowling: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-dowling-53b52171/Hartford Consulting: https://www.hartfordconsultants.co.uk/Episode to check next: Welsh Holiday Let Owners Are Giving Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB-a8ZM5xWUHost Planet Podcast is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.Contact the show: [email protected]#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer #DAC7 #NatalieDowling #HartfordConsulting

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• Don’t Miss Holiday Let Success in Chester! | Free Event for Holiday Let Owners

  In this special solo episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – James Varley shares everything you need to know about Holiday Let Success – a free, one-day event taking place on Tuesday 11 November at Sykes Holiday Cottages HQ in Chester.1:47 Holiday Let Success: Tuesday 11 November at Sykes HQ in Chester2:38 The speakers and topics you can look forward to3:24 Alistair Handyside from PASC UK will be discussing lobbying efforts3:52 Zak Ali from Launchbase will be talking about data and revenue management 4:16 Matt Jeffery on holiday let taxes4:42 Avantio’s Finlay Nesbitt on direct bookings5:00 Ian Thompson from Beyond will be talking about market pacing5:10 Johanne Hedges from the LiBi Collection on wowing your guests with luxury products5:28 Louis Andrews from OVO Network on elevating the guest experience5:48 Harriet Kerr from Sykes Holiday Cottages6:02 Sharon Biggar from PriceLabs on how to master dynamic pricing6:10 Steven Core from VoltShare on increasing revenue with EV charging6:30 Robin Clifford from Guesty on self-driving homes (yes, really!)6:48 Learn from the best, network, and share knowledge7:30 This event is 100% free – and includes a free lunch and free glass of fizz!Holiday Let Success is now fully booked. See you in Chester! Keen to attend our next events? Grab a ticket for the Host Planet Roadshow today: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-roadshowAgenda for Holiday Let Success: https://www.hostplanet.club/post/agenda-confirmed-for-holiday-let-success-free-event-for-short-term-rental-professionalsHost Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/Sykes Holiday Cottages: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/letyourcottage/Looking for a great PMS or digital guidebook? You need Hostfully!Check out these special offers:Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.Click here to sign up for Hostfully: https://tinyurl.com/3ay8bhtkKeen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-DemoEmail Frank: [email protected] Episode to check next: Why Short-Term Rental Hosts Should Attend SCALE UK in Manchester: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3UFdoHuDUw&t=1sHost Planet Bitesize is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.Contact the show: [email protected]#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer #HolidayLetSuccess #SykesHolidayCottages #Chester

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