UK holiday let - what do I need to know

[IneedhandcreamandaNC]

Having never arranged one before, I'm curious what I need to know.

I've checked a few sites and have an idea of what is available for what money. I know what my essentials and priorities are. I know which areas I'm looking at and am closely browsing photos and reviews (element of bias probably as all on letting sites). Am also looking at owner replies to problems to see how their guest service is.

The sites I've looked at require a deposit then the balance 6 weeks before start date. Only some seem to take a deposit for security/"good housekeeping bond", so not all properties ask for this?

I imagine linens, towels and loo roll will be provided. Food and drink won't be. Are there some day to day cleaning supplies usually for wiping down counters etc?

What else ought I to consider?

It vastly differs some provide lots of cleaning products others 1 tea towel and 2 dishwasher tablets.Welcome pack can be anything from some milk to a whole basket of lovely things.I always take a few extras in case ie tea towel.Read the reviews and see if it is managed by the owners who are local.Good luck.

You will need a sharp knife, (or knife sharpener) a tin opener and a potato peeler. They are usually crap/blunt. Kitchen supplies can be a bit variable. Frying pans are often shit.

Loo roll. Varies. Often just enough to start you off then buy your own. Mostly find a roll of kitchen roll, one loo roll per toilet. Washing up liquid cloth and sponge. One tea towel per week. Bath sheet and hand towel per person.

Listings will say towels provided if so. You will need your own beach towel.

Avoid Sykes. They are a bit crap.

Welcome pack varies from homemade cake and wine to milk and cheap coffee sachets. I've had eggs, tomatoes, biscuits,

@BlackeyedSusan what's rubbish about Sykes, is it the agency themselves or the standards of the properties?

Both.
One property: towels smell of fag smoke. No batteries in smoke alarm. No heating working. Not mended. Microwave didn't go round. Dodgy garden furniture. Leaky roof. Dealing with Sykes is difficult.

Other mumsnetters have mentioned it too.

I always pick up a click and collect order when we stay in UK self catering, so I can order everything I think we will need. Plus I always take my favourite kitchen knife. We don't do a lot of cooking - it is meant to be a holiday for me as well so we get ready meals and I don't need a lot of equipment.

We buy kitchen roll, loo roll, cheap washing up liquid, cleaning wipes, cheap washing up brush, cheapest possible loo brush, toilet cleaner, paracetamol, food! We leave behind any unused washing up liquid, the washing up brush and loo brush (if used).

We take towels, resealable plastic bags (for food storage), best kitchen knife, toiletries, some dishwasher tablets, some washing machine tablets, a few sticking plasters and any medication we need to take daily.
We don't bother with tea towels because I don't dry up on holiday and kitchen paper can be used in an emergency.

I like to be comfortable, and I like things to be easy when I'm on holiday.

We use cottages.com quite often.
Usually get a loo roll, tea towel, dishcloth, two dishwasher tablets and a small amount of washing up liquid. No welcome pack.
There are usually a reasonable amount of pots and pans with plenty of crockery and glasses. Always a kettle and toaster in the kitchen. Knives not usually sharp but good enough to do the basics with.
Never any tin foil.

Don't assume anything. I'm it's not explicit in the listing, email and clarify, it's fine to do that.

If going by car, check the parking situation, eg does the property have its own parking space?

If it's important to you that there's a washing machine and/or dishwasher at the property, check that.

Check sleeping arrangements, eg are there enough beds in bedrooms for everyone or does maximum occupancy involve someone sleeping on a sofa bed in the living room? Check that the bed configuration works for your party in terms of whether beds are singles, doubles, bunk beds etc.

Check wifi is provided! It's easy to assume, but I came across one property listing where reviews complained that the property didn't have wifi.