Renting a cabin - anyone done it?

[richy3333]

Hi All.
We have a timber cabin set on our croft in a remote location. Single living room/bedroom/kitchen, off grid, outside WC. Young trees around but well established woodland close by. Large pond (can swim in it). I've tried to research if anyone else is renting out similar property but am finding it difficult to identify anything similar. Subject to the usual H&S implications do people think this would be of interest to those wanting a holiday where they could practice their bushcraft skills. A place you can stay (maybe upto 4 people) small tent outside and/or hammock stand if wanted. Cooking/heating on a stove, fire pit outside. Plenty of land to roam upon and local trout fishing or woodland to play in

Can anyone offer constructive comment?

Thank you.

 

[Toddy]

We used to rent cabins from the Forestry Commission. They were an easy holiday with young children. Outdoors from dawn to dusk, but a clean dry warm space out of the weather when it turned miserable. I reckon that's important in our climate when out with youngsters who've been climbing up mountains. Same when they've been out on the water all day and the windchill is really biting.

Thing was though; the cabins were really smart at first, but they sort of became not just 'lived in' but really pretty grungy.
I didn't appreciate spending part of my holiday cleaning until I felt comfortable, before I started on the mud my own two trailed in.

There were also issues with groups of young men renting the cabins and having a raucous drunken weekend or week. The Forestry Commission actually put real limits on the folks who could hire the cabins and effectively banned all such groups.
Kind of off for those who just wanted to use them as a base for climbing and never caused any bother, but the damage was really obvious from those who did.

Unless you're prepared to clean up, and even helpful folks can leave you a heck of a mess, just by using a place, and prepared to replace and repair, etc., it's just going to be like having a B&B for a kind of specialised interest group and you can't just leave it alone, iimmc ?

Me ? if my two were younger, or I was much fitter and able as I was, then I'd happily rent your cabin especially with a swimming pond, woodlands, open fires, etc., right to hand.
It sounds excellent.

Might be worth your while looking at the AirBnB stuff for comparison. I have friends who have a tiny wee flat in Edinburgh and they found it better to let it through AirBnB than to put a tenant into it. Even covering the wear and tear and the extra insurance, it's been well worth it.

Best of luck with it
M

 

[Broch]

I was considering this with my shepherd's hut (set in 15 acres of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland) but, in the end, decided I couldn't put up with the grockles (moaning tourists). Having said that, I think there is a demand (possibly now more than ever) for a complete off-grid experience and I would set the price quite high if I was you. Also, take a refundable deposit and be clear under what conditions that will be retained.

I'd be careful advertising it for more than it can sleep or you will get rowdy groups.

If you need anyone to try it out and give feedback let me know

 

[punkrockcaveman]

If you haven't tried it yet pitchup.com might be worth a look too, they definitely do the likes of camping pods, shepherd's huts and yurts/tipi tents

 

[swyn]

AirBnb is worth a look-see.
I rented my little barn to some 400 peeps from all over the world over a 2 1/2 year period. Nothing posh, just two deck-chairs in the porch to sit on but warm in the winter and quite remote for East Anglia.
You have to be on top of cleanliness, cleanliness and more cleanliness. Some folk may moan about the decor, the birds tweeting or that you are in the woop-woops but all in all you will have a busy calendar if you are prepared to add nice things like fresh eggs in the fridge, milk and perhaps cater for vegan tastes........, You'll have a busy time.
Minimum visit was two days and as I worked away for some of the week I had no visits open for M, T & W.
Try, you'll be surprised.
From a 'Superhost'......
S

 

[Scottieoutdoors]

100%

My Wife, Doggo and I just came back from Scotland after renting a small cottage whilst we did some hiking around the place for a hols. Your place sounds like great fun.

I am quite involved in renting out accommodation, it's stressful purely because it's hard to know who you're going to get (character/attitude wise).

Whilst I personally would be interested, if it was me in your position, I'd be very cautious and probably look to mitigate risks as much as possible through an online booking platform which would hopefully require them to agree to various terms, all at the risk of being charged additional costs should they break those terms.

You need to forget the perfect potential guests and consider some of the more common nightmares you could end up having to deal with then work on how to minimise the chances of those things happening... some thoughts:
Doggos, children, large groups, same sex groups, age groups.

H&S stuff might be the more tricky aspect with things like swimming ponds and/or fishing.. Not sure if there is a "Use at your own risk" get out clause?

You will (I'd assume) have to be prepared to visit it after each stay, check it over, clean it down, restock (maybe?), clean the bog. All things that are the less glamorous side of it all, but necessary. Of course if you again include in your terms that people leave it as they find it, it will reduce your work load.

As punk rock said, pitchup is good for some inspiration into the alternative "camping" ideas...

Another website which I came across but have never been a part of is https://nearlywildcamping.org/
I believe it requires customers to pay a membership fee to even find where campsites are. So might be good for weeding out the undesirable.

Edit: Definitely have minimum stays, maybe 2,3,4 nights. It'll reduce the work load.

 

[Erbswurst]

Combined with a generator these things work very well, fast and easy.

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If you are willing to play the servant you can surely earn quite a bit of money and keep your cabin in a good shape.

Nevertheless I would force the clients to clean with simple tools themselves before leaving. Like this they will try to keep it clean.

One can rent out a cabin of course and there is a high demand for such things.

You can rent out all and everything. The more weird the better. People love that.

We currently have a glamping wave.

 

[swyn]

100%

My Wife, Doggo and I just came back from Scotland after renting a small cottage whilst we did some hiking around the place for a hols. Your place sounds like great fun.

I am quite involved in renting out accommodation, it's stressful purely because it's hard to know who you're going to get (character/attitude wise).

Whilst I personally would be interested, if it was me in your position, I'd be very cautious and probably look to mitigate risks as much as possible through an online booking platform which would hopefully require them to agree to various terms, all at the risk of being charged additional costs should they break those terms.

You need to forget the perfect potential guests and consider some of the more common nightmares you could end up having to deal with then work on how to minimise the chances of those things happening... some thoughts:
Doggos, children, large groups, same sex groups, age groups.

H&S stuff might be the more tricky aspect with things like swimming ponds and/or fishing.. Not sure if there is a "Use at your own risk" get out clause?

You will (I'd assume) have to be prepared to visit it after each stay, check it over, clean it down, restock (maybe?), clean the bog. All things that are the less glamorous side of it all, but necessary. Of course if you again include in your terms that people leave it as they find it, it will reduce your work load.

As punk rock said, pitchup is good for some inspiration into the alternative "camping" ideas...

Another website which I came across but have never been a part of is https://nearlywildcamping.org/
I believe it requires customers to pay a membership fee to even find where campsites are. So might be good for weeding out the undesirable.

Edit: Definitely have minimum stays, maybe 2,3,4 nights. It'll reduce the work load.

I have been thinking about the nearly wild camping site for a couple of years but I’m not quite ready yet.
Guy Mallinson went for it with Crafty Camping; https://mallinson.co.uk/

I ran a few Moots in my dads old sawmill yard and what did I do most of……Cleaning the toilets! There were five and each was spotless at all times.
Being prepared to do this and work hard at all those unseen things made it a fun and successful time for all those attending.

Having paying guests visit your site always has pits and trips but I’d suggest starting small with a set theme, for a short period and then adapt as things develop.
The good guests always make your day. These will be your bread and butter, visiting again and again and some will even become friends!
The bad guests are memorable for a short period and then humour is the winner.

There is a huge demand for ‘alternative’ camping. Just remember Glamping has been done to death so I’d suggest avoiding this concept. KISS is paramount.
Good luck!
S

 

[cbrdave]

Personally, never done it but would love to, town living on the south east coast isn't for me anymore, finances stop me from buying a place and finding a full time rental in the country is ridiculous,
I'd love to take me and the wife for a weeks holiday in a cabin in nature.

 

[SaraR]

One problem is that it doesn't really matter how thoroughly you describe the accommodation or how many photos you post, you'll still get a proportion of guests expecting 4-star hotel standard and then complain about it not being so. Before the internet and social media, that would not go much further than you (or the agency) putting it down to an unreasonable complaint, but nowadays bad reviews like that might really hammer you.

Having said that, I would love to stay in a place like that!

I get why people insist on multiple nights' stays, but for me that usually means that we're disregarding those options straight away. We tend to either do short trips away (1-2 nights) or look for somewhere for an overnight stop on the way to somewhere, so a 4-6 night minimum never works for us.

 

[Erbswurst]

You can calculate the end cleaning price seperately.

One has to pay 45 £ for 1 night plus 30 £ for cleaning.

The other gets a bit off per night and pays 7 x 40£ plus 30 £ for cleaning or whatever.

You could even offer that they can bring the own towels and sleeping bags if they want to.

 

[swyn]

One problem is that it doesn't really matter how thoroughly you describe the accommodation or how many photos you post, you'll still get a proportion of guests expecting 4-star hotel standard and then complain about it not being so. Before the internet and social media, that would not go much further than you (or the agency) putting it down to an unreasonable complaint, but nowadays bad reviews like that might really hammer you.

Having said that, I would love to stay in a place like that!

I get why people insist on multiple nights' stays, but for me that usually means that we're disregarding those options straight away. We tend to either do short trips away (1-2 nights) or look for somewhere for an overnight stop on the way to somewhere, so a 4-6 night minimum never works for us.

I offered Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights on the calendar. Minimum of two nights stay. 75% of guests took Friday & Saturday nights and left before mid day on Sunday as requested but some wanted a Monday-day-off-work and this worked well.
Wednesday evening was shopping/restock the fridge and Thursday was cleaning day. Guests could arrive after 16.00hrs and were required to depart on or before 12.00hrs.
Yes there were the ‘sillies’ but you knew that whatever you offered it would be wrong so I laughed about the silliness

Some folk were really funny about the fact there was no TV. This was a deal-breaker I was told by one or two. I always politely suggested staying at a Travelodge.

As my house is uninhabitable at present and we’re living in the barn ofering anything quiet and pleasant is not possible, or safe, with machinery, mud and tradesmen on site! So I’m shut. Plus in my present state I couldn’t physically clean the loos or the kitchen floor.
I do miss the interaction with my regular guests and covid didn’t help there either.
S

 

[ONE]

The Forestry Commission actually put real limits on the folks who could hire the cabins and effectively banned all such groups.

Was a serious problem to me in Northern Ireland during my & teens twenties, lodges/cottages & campsites such as there were at the time, were almost universally "families only" and in one campsite at least, the definition of "family" was taken to a point that would have the ranger/warden arrested for discrimination today. (I wont name the location, but the Ranger's name was George, if you were there in the Eighties, you'll know).

The result was invariably (dodgy) off site camping. Wich probably offered more opportunities for bushcraft, although I think we still called it 'survival' at that point!

 

[Millsey]

Hi All.
We have a timber cabin set on our croft in a remote location. Single living room/bedroom/kitchen, off grid, outside WC. Young trees around but well established woodland close by. Large pond (can swim in it). I've tried to research if anyone else is renting out similar property but am finding it difficult to identify anything similar. Subject to the usual H&S implications do people think this would be of interest to those wanting a holiday where they could practice their bushcraft skills. A place you can stay (maybe upto 4 people) small tent outside and/or hammock stand if wanted. Cooking/heating on a stove, fire pit outside. Plenty of land to roam upon and local trout fishing or woodland to play in

Can anyone offer constructive comment?

Thank you.

I think lots of people in the Bushcraft community would love this. I completed my Bushcraft IOL Instructor course last year and the group I did it with were looking for somewhere to go for a weekend to practice for the assessment. If you advertise it in this area you should avoid getting groups of troublemakers.
Would love to rent this myself. Where abouts is it roughly?

 

[Scottieoutdoors]

Coming back to this, I'd ask what is your goal/reason for this?

Do you have a cabin and just think "hey, a bit extra pocket money to buy a few more knives would be great" or are you wanting/needing to supplement your income?

If its the latter then the reviews and subsequent work to maintain those is very important and require you to probably do a lot of behind the scenes work to (as I said before) make sure you're covered in case of damage etc etc...

If its the former, then I'd just try and keep it as small as you can, maybe rent it out like a bothy style, the user brings his/her own stuff.

One idea, maybe you could rent it out to people on here first then perhaps rent it out via word of mouth... for instance, I'd pay and stay and then recommend it to someone I trust, passing on your contact email, if they contact you, they might need to say "Scottie outdoors recommended you etc etc" then realistically you're almost only going to get safe guests.

 

[Rambo Rees]

A good while ago I came across a cabin in Scotland that offered s similar experience at quite a premium....it was billed as being a bit of a hike to get there, no mod cons, a rope swing into the lake etc. We were building our home at the time and any saved links have long gone....but I for one would be happy to pay a handsome sum for something real like this....as opposed to a 'camp site' that allows you to make a small fire (maybe) ....or rent a bell [end] tent for £150 a night and only 'cook' smores (whatever they are).
I just randomly googled:
'scottish cabin no electricity'
.... in a vain attempt to find the cabin in question....to no avail, however the search did bring up a whole heap of off grid cabins for rent....maybe worth a look for your research?

 

[richy3333]

100%

My Wife, Doggo and I just came back from Scotland after renting a small cottage whilst we did some hiking around the place for a hols. Your place sounds like great fun.

I am quite involved in renting out accommodation, it's stressful purely because it's hard to know who you're going to get (character/attitude wise).

Whilst I personally would be interested, if it was me in your position, I'd be very cautious and probably look to mitigate risks as much as possible through an online booking platform which would hopefully require them to agree to various terms, all at the risk of being charged additional costs should they break those terms.

You need to forget the perfect potential guests and consider some of the more common nightmares you could end up having to deal with then work on how to minimise the chances of those things happening... some thoughts:
Doggos, children, large groups, same sex groups, age groups.

H&S stuff might be the more tricky aspect with things like swimming ponds and/or fishing.. Not sure if there is a "Use at your own risk" get out clause?

You will (I'd assume) have to be prepared to visit it after each stay, check it over, clean it down, restock (maybe?), clean the bog. All things that are the less glamorous side of it all, but necessary. Of course if you again include in your terms that people leave it as they find it, it will reduce your work load.

As punk rock said, pitchup is good for some inspiration into the alternative "camping" ideas...

Another website which I came across but have never been a part of is https://nearlywildcamping.org/
I believe it requires customers to pay a membership fee to even find where campsites are. So might be good for weeding out the undesirable.

Edit: Definitely have minimum stays, maybe 2,3,4 nights. It'll reduce the work load.

I've never heard of 'nearlywildcampnig'. thank you. I'll take a look

 

[richy3333]

I think lots of people in the Bushcraft community would love this. I completed my Bushcraft IOL Instructor course last year and the group I did it with were looking for somewhere to go for a weekend to practice for the assessment. If you advertise it in this area you should avoid getting groups of troublemakers.
Would love to rent this myself. Where abouts is it roughly?

We are located in the Kyle of Sutherland. The east coast is approximately 40 minutes drive and the west coast similar(ish). Plenty of woodland (not mine) with trails and hardly anyone around. Lots of rivers (which we swim in) and canoeing/kyaking nearby with trout fishing at reasonable cost.

 

[richy3333]

A good while ago I came across a cabin in Scotland that offered s similar experience at quite a premium....it was billed as being a bit of a hike to get there, no mod cons, a rope swing into the lake etc. We were building our home at the time and any saved links have long gone....but I for one would be happy to pay a handsome sum for something real like this....as opposed to a 'camp site' that allows you to make a small fire (maybe) ....or rent a bell [end] tent for £150 a night and only 'cook' smores (whatever they are).
I just randomly googled:
'scottish cabin no electricity'
.... in a vain attempt to find the cabin in question....to no avail, however the search did bring up a whole heap of off grid cabins for rent....maybe worth a look for your research?

Thank you. didn't think of that sort of search. This was part of the reason for asking here - to try and utilise better brains than my own for the research!

 

[Seagull]

Have a look at Scottish Bothies.... some of 'em look pretty wild to Me.

Ceeg