The idea behind timeshares is that you can vacation at a favorite spot without spending money on a hotel. Instead you share space over the years with others, making monthly payments until you own the place outright. If you can't use your allotted time, or want to earn some extra money, you could considering renting out your timeshare. If this is something that interests you, there are some steps you should take to ensure success.
Before you do anything, you must contact the owner or manager of the complex. You can also read over the contract to see if there are any restrictions or rules regarding renting units. You certainly don't want to go to the expense of advertising or take time talking to interested renters if the management restricts owner occupants from renting or subletting.
If management will allow you to rent, the next thing you have to do is set a price for the week or weekend. You should charge the tenants as much or more than it would have cost you to stay. There may be other owners who have had the same idea. If so, you can discuss how they arrived at their fee. The manager may be willing to tell you what the complex charges non-owners who visit.
The next thing you have to determine is when you are going to offer the property. You must make sure you won't want the residence for yourself before you make a commitment to let someone else use it. The management may be planning to have bonus or exchange days throughout the year, and you probably won't be allowed to rent during those times.
When you are letting family or friends use the unit, you won't have to worry about advertising. If you want to open your share to the general public, you'll need to advertise in online and print newspapers. Classified line ads are the least expensive way to go there. You might consider listing the unit on an online auction site. You will get maximum exposure that way at an affordable rate.
Don't be fooled into thinking a contract between you and the renter is unnecessary. In order to avoid a lot of headaches, you have to create a binding, legal document that details everything the two of you agree to. That includes the dates the unit will be occupied, the cost of the security deposit, and how extending days will be handled.
As soon as the renters have vacated the property, you should have someone go in and inspect it. You don't want to return a security deposit before you know whether or not the renters left the unit in good condition. If everything is in order, you need to return the deposit promptly.
Timeshares can be good ideas especially if you love to vacation in the same spot all the time. They are expensive if you don't use them however. Renting your share out is a good way to recoup some of this investment.
Before you do anything, you must contact the owner or manager of the complex. You can also read over the contract to see if there are any restrictions or rules regarding renting units. You certainly don't want to go to the expense of advertising or take time talking to interested renters if the management restricts owner occupants from renting or subletting.
If management will allow you to rent, the next thing you have to do is set a price for the week or weekend. You should charge the tenants as much or more than it would have cost you to stay. There may be other owners who have had the same idea. If so, you can discuss how they arrived at their fee. The manager may be willing to tell you what the complex charges non-owners who visit.
The next thing you have to determine is when you are going to offer the property. You must make sure you won't want the residence for yourself before you make a commitment to let someone else use it. The management may be planning to have bonus or exchange days throughout the year, and you probably won't be allowed to rent during those times.
When you are letting family or friends use the unit, you won't have to worry about advertising. If you want to open your share to the general public, you'll need to advertise in online and print newspapers. Classified line ads are the least expensive way to go there. You might consider listing the unit on an online auction site. You will get maximum exposure that way at an affordable rate.
Don't be fooled into thinking a contract between you and the renter is unnecessary. In order to avoid a lot of headaches, you have to create a binding, legal document that details everything the two of you agree to. That includes the dates the unit will be occupied, the cost of the security deposit, and how extending days will be handled.
As soon as the renters have vacated the property, you should have someone go in and inspect it. You don't want to return a security deposit before you know whether or not the renters left the unit in good condition. If everything is in order, you need to return the deposit promptly.
Timeshares can be good ideas especially if you love to vacation in the same spot all the time. They are expensive if you don't use them however. Renting your share out is a good way to recoup some of this investment.
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