At the higher end of the property rental market, an architect-designed holiday home sits pretty much at the pinnacle, commanding premium rents with tailor-made luxury.
From Airbnbs to private lets, an architect-designed holiday home comes with the cachet of creativity and elegance, instant style and exclusivity. The design will fit perfectly with the surroundings, in harmony with the environment, while the inside, from rustic and classic to ultra-modern will make an individual statement that the tenant will appreciate and pay top dollar for.
Landlords, whether setting up a local niche or as part of a broader portfolio, will understand the immediate benefits of the combined allure of those factors, creating an attractive premium proposition for their prospective tenants.
Selling the high-end rental dream
Designer rental properties can feature distinctive features and a greater use of space and materials than any typical home. Modern examples benefit from spaces with high ceilings, clever use of storage to maximise the available area, extensive windows to enjoy the outside space, and outdoor design features to make the exterior as much a feature as the interior.
New features like external blinds or self-darkening glass can add to the privacy of a property, while some properties might be suitable for eco-friendly features like water reclamation, heat pumps and roof gardens or other concepts.
While the potential rewards are high, renting architect-designed homes comes with their own set of challenges. Maintenance is a primary concern, landlords can’t let these homes look in the slightest bit dilapidated, so regular paint work refreshes, cleaning of drives, walls and garden maintenance are all higher up the agenda than with any typical property.
High-quality furniture, finishes, custom-built features, and luxury appliances will also need more care and maintenance then standard products, which adds to both the rental bill, but also time needed for access for that maintenance that might clash with your high-end tenants plans.
Owners must also invest in maintenance, upkeep and new features to ensure the property remains in pristine condition. That might be the latest EV car charging facilities, new WiFi connectivity up to the the latest WiFi-7 standard, plus features like satellite internet, and solar/battery power to ensure the property remains viable during power outages.
For a true high-end experience, access to concierge services can also increase the value of the property. From the simple things like grocery deliveries or laundry services to concierge agents able to arrange events, top-tier sports or festival tickets, grand tours and other examples, all as part of that luxury rental or Airbnb package.
Managing and protecting that high-end property
Just because you own or manage a high-end property and have carefully vetted the tenants, that does not mean the residence and all guests are going to appreciate the building and fittings as much as you do.
Taking standard and enhanced precautions at all levels is essential to protect your investment, the property and the surroundings. High-end tenants will expect high-quality security features, including smart home-enabled cameras, smoke and leak sensors.
If the property is being used as an Airbnb, then you will need to leave clear instructions on acceptable behaviour and leave alert signs and signposts in key areas. One increasingly common example is the use of vape sensors to detect vaping/smoking in Airbnbs to prevent this behaviour that can damage furnishings and walls over extended use.
Similarly, as a business operator, landlords will want to maximise and protect their revenue. One way to better manage cashflow is by making tax digital to streamline that process. New rent guarantee schemes can help provide income if the property is vacant or you are having trouble with a tenant. Even high-paying tenants might decide to cause problems or have a change in their circumstances that will perhaps lead to legal issues, which some rent guarantee schemes will help cover these costs.
Conclusion
All of these features and ideas will need to meet the overall aesthetic of the property, local planning regulations and also follow the increasingly strict rules of short-term letting if you plan to go the Airbnb or similar route.
But once that regular high-end income stream is flowing, high-end properties can prove themselves as a way for landlords to create a luxury niche around popular destination locations or in up-and-coming niches around the UK and beyond, as the high-class rental market will continue to boom while the regular rental market will only ever become more crowded, chaotic and competitive.