From our homepage simply complete the initial search fields and click 'Search' . Then on the subsequent search results page, you can refine your original search even more by using the fields at the top of the page.
Our property listing pages are created by the individual property owners/managers and include full details of the property as well as images of the property.
Every listing has a calendar tab, simply click the tab on the listing page to reveal the owner's calendar. Please note that some owners chose not to maintain their calendars. In such situations you may want to submit an enquiry to the owner requesting confirmation of availability for your dates of travel.
To submit a question or request further information from a property owner/manager, simply complete the enquiry form on the relevant listing page. Your enquiry will be sent direct to the property owner/manager for their attention. Should you require a quote or make an enquiry from multiple property owners/managers with a single message, simply click the 'Shortlist' button on either the search results page or property listing pages to create your own shortlist of preferred properties. Then once you have your list complete, simply click the 'My Shortlist' link at the top of the page, complete the enquiry form of the resulting page and click send.
Find your preferred property(ies) and submit your enquiry direct to the owner/manager. If you are happy with the response and quote, you have the option of confirming your booking directly with the owner/manager. Please note that all bookings are made direct between you the prospective holidaymaker and the property owner/manager. Direct Holiday Cottages influence or take any part in the booking process, nor do we add any additional booking or admin fees to the price quote by the owner/manager.
Before a listing is made available on Direct Holiday Cottages it and its owners/managers are subject to a number of checks using information provided by them and checking that against nationally registered/held data. Should you require any specific confirmation or have any questions relating to the validity of a listing, please contact us with your questions and we will endeavour to answer them as soon as possible.
Once you have submitted your enquiry, simply wait for the owners/managers to respond. You will receive an email for each response, and if you wish to respond further, simply following the links in the emails.
The method of payment will be determined by each individual property owner/manager. It is a matter for you the holidaymaker to agree to make any payments in line with the requests of the property owner/manager. All payments are made directly between you the holiday maker and the property owner/manager. Direct Holiday Cottages does not have any influence, involvement or take any part in any in financial transactions carried out between you the holiday maker and the property owner/manager.
Cancellation policies vary and are determined by the specific property owner/manager. Guests should confirm the policy directly with the owner prior to confirming their booking and making any payments.
Each property owner/manager will provide you with appropriate directions to their rental property. When this information is made available however is at the discretion of the specific property owner/manager.
If you wish to bring any kind of issue to the attention of Direct Holiday Cottages, you can do so at any time by emailing us at info@directvillasuk.com. Upon receipt of your email, we will provide you with an initial response as soon as practicable based on the nature of the issue.
Once you have completed your stay, you have the option to submit a review. This can be done by logging into the 'Booking Zone' where you will see details of your booking with a link to leave a review. Please make your accurate and constructive for both the property owner/manager and future guests.
You can contact customer support by submitting an email to Info@Directvillasuk.com or by calling +44 (0)1325 527 275 Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm.
Should you encounter an issue during your stay, you must first contact the owner and/or their management company. If you feel that the issue is one that Direct Holiday Cottages needs and should be made aware of please contact us by emailing Info@Directvillasuk.com or by calling +44 (0)1325 527 275 Mon – Fri 9am – 4pm.
We take the protection of your personal details very seriously and abide by existing legislation. For more details, please read our privacy Policy.
To list your property with us, simply click the 'List Your Home' link located at the top right of our home page. From there you will be taken to our registration page, once you have entered and submitted your details you will then be requested to choose your subscription type and complete the payment process. Once payment is made you will be able to create your listing. If you require any assistance in building your listing, please contact us at info@directvillasuk.com.
I order to complete the listing process; you will be required to provide specific details relating to the physical address of your property and confirm that you are either the property owner or manager. As part of ensuring that all our listings are genuine, and as part of conducting our due diligence ahead of any listing going live you will be required to provide official documentation as determined by Direct Holiday Cottages. These documents must be provided within a reasonable time frame. In addition, further checks will be made with third party agencies to verify ownership of the property.
We anticipate that may owners already have an established brand and supporting content. However, if that is not the case, then please contact us at info@directvillasuk.com and we will assist you in completing your listing.
Uploading your images to your listing is easy, simply drag and drop your images into the upload area, and to make this process even quicker, you can bulk upload your images.
When you list your property, you have the option to manually amend your listing calendar after each booking confirmation which obviously takes time. Alternatively, we also offer the ability to synchronise your listing calendar with all of your other online calendars with the use of the iCal app.
You set your rental rates within the 'Tarriff' page in the Owners Area. You can amend your rates whenever you need to, and you can add any additional tariffs such as the cost of cleaning, pool heating and security deposits.
The Owners Area is where to make any changes you need to your listing, whenever you need to make them. Simply log in and make your changes in your own time.
To deactivate or delete your listing please email us at info@directvillasuk.com with your request, and we will do the rest for you.
To rest your password simply navigate to the 'owners area' where you will see a link titled 'Change your password' on the right-hand side that enables you to update your password. To update your account details simply click the 'My profile' link which is also located on the right side of the 'owners area'.
The only mandatory fee associated with listing your property on Direct Holiday Cottages is our annual subscription fee.
All enquiries are sent direct to you from the holidaymaker, that way you can respond at your earliest opportunity. Likewise, all bookings are confirmed and managed by you direct with the holiday maker. Direct Holiday Cottages does not add any commission or fees to any booking on the part of either the holiday maker or property owner/manager, what you quote is what they pay and what you receive in full.
Upon receipt of an email notifying, you that you have a new enquiry, simply use the navigation links in the email to send the appropriate response as quickly as possible. To enable you to respond quicker than ever before, you can now preformat your responses and save them, so in the event of receiving an enquiry requesting a quote, all you have to add before pressing send is your price.
All payments are made direct to you by the holiday maker, Direct Holiday Cottages does not take any part or influence the booking process or the taking of any payments made in line with a holiday maker booking your property. The method of payment is determined by you and agreed in conjunction with the holiday maker.
The enquiry system within the owners area can be used at any time to send and receive communications to and from holiday makers.
Legal Responsibilities: Please note that the following is not an exhaustive list, but one consisting of some of the many aspects which applying to holiday rental properties in the UK.
Core Legislation:
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
This is crucial for fire safety. It mandates that a "responsible person" (in this case, the holiday let owner) must carry out a fire risk assessment and take appropriate measures to ensure fire safety.
Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998
These regulations require annual gas safety checks by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Electrical Safety Regulations
While there isn't one single piece of legislation, various regulations and guidance emphasize the need for safe electrical installations and appliances. It's best practice to conduct regular electrical safety checks.
The Housing Act 2004
This act addresses housing conditions and hazards, and its principles apply to holiday lets, ensuring properties are safe and habitable.
Consumer Protection Act 1987
This act covers the safety of goods provided in the holiday let, ensuring that appliances and furnishings meet safety standards.
General Product Safety Regulations 2005
This is another regulation that ensures that products that are provided are safe for use.
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 This act places a general duty of care on those providing accommodation to ensure the health and safety of their guests.
Additional Considerations:
Local Authority Regulations
Local councils may have specific regulations regarding holiday lets, including licensing requirements or planning restrictions. It's essential to check with your local authority.
Furnished Holiday Lettings (FHL) Tax Rules
These rules, set by HMRC, define the criteria for a property to be classified as an FHL for tax purposes.
TV Licensing
If your holiday let provides facilities for guests to watch live TV, a TV license is required.
Key Points:
The "duty of care" principle is fundamental, meaning you have a legal and ethical obligation to ensure the safety of your guests.
Staying updated on changes to legislation is crucial, as regulations can evolve.
It is strongly recommended to have adequate insurance, including public liability insurance.
By understanding and adhering to these legislative requirements, holiday let owners can fulfil their legal and ethical responsibilities and provide a safe and enjoyable experience for their guests.
Direct Holiday Cottages provides comprehensive customer support. To notify us of any issues or request help, please contact us at info@directvillasuk.com.
Your guests can submit reviews once their stay has been completed via the 'Booking Zone' area. Using their personal login, your guests can apply a star rating along with a written review. Once completed and submitted, you will be notified of the new review which you can then view. If you have any issues relating to the content of the review, we provide a means to have any alterations or removal considered. To initiate this, owners are required to submit an email to info@directvillasuk.com providing and explanation as to what they seek to achieve and an outline of their reasoning.