What You will need . . . .

Below you will find some of the neccessary documents when joining FBM Holidays quality service.

Welcome to FBM Holidays 

We are a long established agency with over 100 years experience, one of the largest and most successful holiday letting agents based in Pembrokeshire and our property portfolio also covers Ceredigion, Carmarthenshire and The Gower Peninsula.

We are looking for good quality properties, furnished and equipped to at least a Visit Wales 3 star grading to join us, so if you already have a property, or are thinking of purchasing an investment property we would love to hear from you. We work very closely with Visit Wales and as an accredited agency, all properties on our portfolio must be graded and this we will be arranged for you.Our aim is to make holiday letting as stress free as possible and with our first class team you can be assured that your property is in safe hands.

Why choose FBM?

Your property will be included in our beautiful colour brochure and added to our professionally designed web site with 24 hour a day, 7 days a week online availability, booking and payment facilities. We have numerous links into websites i.e. Visit Britain, Visit Wales, Visit Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire. Annual advertising and marketing, including national papers, magazines, radio, regional guides and tourist information centres. The website is continually being updated to improve the quality and ensure our portfolio receives the best advertising coverage.

First Impressions

Remember, there is only one first impression.

As you or your housekeeper finish cleaning, put yourself in the position of your guest – tired after a long journey, high expectations, looking forward to getting away from their daily routine and relaxing and enjoying your property and wonderful West Wales.

People expect the same standards they have at home or better, and, if you can provide some extra luxury, so much the better. These are some of the important guidelines, which we believe will help you get repeat bookings and be recommended to others by your visitors.

DO ensure

The exterior of the property looks attractive and is well-lit at night.

The name or number of the property is clearly visible.

Paintwork on the outside of the property is in prime condition.

The area around the door is clean with no untidy weeds and leaves.

The garden is well-maintained, garden furniture is clean and tidy and the garden is safe for children.

The interior of the property is warm and welcoming and guests feel at home and at ease.

The property is sparkling clean, well lit, well heated and comfortable.

Heating, if appropriate for the time of year, is switched on.

Décor is to a high standard and the colour scheme is coordinated.

Flooring, carpets and furniture are of a high quality and in good condition.

All furniture complies with fire resistance regulations and standards – all furnishings must be fire retardant and upholstery purchased must bear the relevant compliance label.

Electrical equipment is in fully working order.

Fridges and freezers are switched on and ice trays filled.

Check all lights and lamps and ensure spare bulbs are available.

An information book with telephone numbers for local emergency services, the owner’s telephone number and any other relevant numbers are provided.

The locations of water, gas and electricity mains supply are clearly shown to ensure the property is safe in the event of an emergency.

Clear instructions for electrical and gas appliances, heating systems, stop cocks and meters are readily available. Simple instructions on how to use these things is very important where the owner/housekeeper is not on hand to greet the visitors. Lack of information can cause your guests distress, discomfort and frustration.

There is an adequate number of dustbins and/or rubbish and recycling bags and rubbish and recycling information is clearly posted in the kitchen, including the collection day by the local council.

Windows are cleaned regularly both inside and outside.

The property has a smoke alarm installed and it is in good working order. This is Mandatory by law.

There is a first aid kit in the kitchen. This is Mandatory by law.

Your property complies with the minimum grading requirements as outlined by Visit Wales for the grade of your property: http://wales.gov.uk/docs/drah/publications/Tourism/100429selfcateng.pdf

A starter pack of toilet rolls, washing up liquid and dishwater tablets is available and an adequate supply of cleaning materials is provided for your housekeeper and your guests.

Homely and personal touches like books and board games are provided.

You consider a welcome pack – it is a lovely finishing touch and shows you have really thought about your guests. This can be made up of tea bags, coffee, sugar and milk and, perhaps some biscuits, cake or a bottle of wine. Visitors really appreciate this gesture, especially after a long tiring journey. It’s another reason why they may want to re-book your property again in the future.

The property is thoroughly cleaned on changeover day, the beds are made up with clean, freshly ironed linen and all refuse has been removed.

If you follow the guidelines above, your visitors will be more likely to return and say positive things about their holiday experience.

The first few minutes your visitors spend in your property is make or break time. You don’t have two chances to make a positive first impression. We consider our owners partners in our business -

FBM Holidays relies on you, you rely on us and both of us rely on housekeeping. Together we can please all our customers.

Legislation

You must make sure your property complies with all current Health and Safety legislation.

Gas Safety

All gas appliances should be safe and conform to the relevant safety standards as per the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998. An annual Landlords Gas Certificate is required and must be undertaken by a registered Gas Safe Engineer. If further information is required please contact the Health and Safety Executive. www.hse.gov.uk Your Gas Certificate must be renewed on an annual basis, be visible in the property and a copy sent to FBM Holidays.

Fire Risk Assessment

All properties must have an annual Fire Risk Assessment conducted at the property to comply with the Fire Safety Order (2005). This can be carried out professionally. Please see the government website for further advice. www.communities.gov.uk/fire For blocks of apartments the freeholder must also have arranged a risk assessment for the common parts of the building. A copy must be sent to FBM Holidays. A fire blanket and fire extinguisher must be located in the kitchen of the property.

Access Statement

Part of the Disability Discrimination Act requires all holiday letting owners to have a written Access Statement for each of their properties. E.g. width of doorways, height of work units, light switches, plugs, steps into property, mobile phone connections, etc. This must be available upon demand if anyone asks to see it. http://wales.gov.uk/docs/drah/publications/Tourism/100430vwaccesstateng.pdf

Electrics

All electrical equipment must satisfy general safety provisions and be maintained in a safe to use condition. Although the law does not stipulate electrical equipment needs to be tested, we recommend equipment and appliances be checked at regular intervals by a qualified electrician. This demonstrates the owner has complied with a ‘duty of care’ to guests.

The Plugs and Sockets Etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994 require electrical appliances be correctly fitted with an approved plug. All plugs must be marked with BS1363, demonstrating compliance with current safety standards and the live and neutral pins partially sleeved with plastic insulation. They must also be fitted with the correct fuse for the appliance. Lamps must have a single cable attached to the plug and the old plaited type cable is now illegal. www.hse.gov.uk

Fire and Furnishings

The law requires all furnished accommodation to comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire and Safety) Regulations of 1988. Upholstered furniture must comply with Regulations covering flammability. New furniture automatically complies and has the relevant label attached to the item, but second hand furniture, where there is no visible label, must be deemed non- compliant.

The definition of ‘furniture’ includes all furniture, which contains upholstery, i.e.

Three piece suites, armchairs.

Beds, headboards, mattresses.

Sofa beds, futons and other convertibles.

Nursery and children’s furniture.

Loose and stretch covers.

Scatter cushions and seat pads.

Pillows.

Garden furniture, which is suitable for use inside.

The regulations do not apply to furniture made before 1st January 1950.

http://www.dti.gov.uk/files/file24685.pdf

Bunk Beds

Bunk beds must meet the legal safety requirements contained in the Bunk Beds (Entrapment Hazards) (Safety) Regulations 1987 and the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. A bunk bed is any bed with a sleeping surface 80 centimetres or more above the floor.

The gaps between slats in the upper sleeping surface must not exceed 7.5 centimetres across. All gaps in the sides around the sleeping surface (i.e. footboard, side rails, guard rails and ladder) must be no smaller than 6 centimetres and no larger than 7.5 centimetres.

Other Items

Other appliances and equipment come under the General Product Safety Regulations 2005. E.g. nursery equipment such as cots and highchairs must comply with British Safety Standards.

Television Licences

A television licence is required to cover the letting unit in which a television is installed. www.tvlicensing.co.uk

Swimming Pools

If there is access to a swimming pool at the property, the owner must take all reasonable precautions to prevent injury and protect the public. Safety signs must be put in place and visitors informed of the rules of use.

Financial Information

Registration

Unlike many of our competitors FBM Holidays does NOT charge a registration fee.

Commission

FBM Holidays offers very competitive commission rates, details of which are available on request.

Rental Payment

Ownersare paid monthly by BACS directly into their bank account. They are paid the month following the date the holiday booking ends. Payment is made within the first 10 working days of each month. A monthly statement of account is sent either by post or email, depending on the owner’s preference.

The revenue paid will be the net rent after the deduction of the Cancellation Scheme/Booking Fee, less Commission and VAT as shown on the contract. Other deductions if previously arranged with the owner e.g. for cleaning or repairs and replacements to the property will also be charged before making payment.

Cancellation Scheme/Booking Fee

Our all inclusive holiday cancellation scheme/booking fee (paid for by the holidaymaker) is designed to protect the visitor in case of cancellation and the owner against loss of revenue should the property not be re-booked. Payment is subject to the property being available for us to re-let throughout the cancelled period and the amount paid will not exceed the amount due from the original booking.

Public Liability Insurance

All letting properties must have adequate buildings and contents insurance as well as public liability insurance with a £2,000,000 minimum level of cover.

Boshers Guide to Holiday Insurance in PDF format.- For more info call 01237 429444

Schofields Holiday Home Insurance - For more info call 01204365080,  http://www.schofields.ltd.uk

Visit Wales Grading

FBM Holidays is an accredited agency and therefore all the properties on our portfolio must be graded by Visit Wales and achieve at least a 3 star rating. The first Visit Wales inspection must be conducted within 6 months of your property becoming part of our portfolio. In the meantime, we will apply an interim grading, based on our best assessment of your property. We can arrange Visit Wales inspections on your behalf, as we can obtain substantial discounts for you by dealing with Visit Wales directly. If you elect for us to do this, Visit Wales will carry out their inspection bi-annually and we will conduct a FBM Holidays inspection, free of charge, the year in-between. If you prefer to arrange Visit Wales inspections privately, they must be carried out annually.

Arrivals Report

At the beginning of every month we will send you an Arrivals Report, outlining all upcoming arrivals. This report will include the booking reference number, the name of the person who made the booking, the number of adults and children in the party, arrival and departure dates and the net monies payable to you. Please ensure you check this report carefully and are aware of the bookings on your property. Housekeepers are also advised of bookings and arrival and departure dates to ensure they plan their cleaning schedule accordingly.

Attracting More Holidaymakers

Brochure & Website

Our professionally designed colour brochure is included in ourOwners’Information Guide and shows how properties are presented to the holidaymaker. Your property will automatically be included in our brochure and on our website at no cost to you.

Here are the easy steps to becoming an owner with FBM Holidays and ensuring your property features in our brochure and website:

One of our New Business Managers will meet with you and inspect your property.

Terms and Conditions of Appointment and detailed correspondence, providing projected figures for rental, forwarded to you.

Terms and Conditions signed by you and returned to our office.

Arrangements made to take a selection of high definition digital photographs.

A copy of the full description of the property with photos forwarded to you for approval.

The deadline for inclusion in our brochure is the 30th June each year. This date gives the brochure designers and the printing company time to ensure next year’s brochure is available for our main mailing in September. However, we are adding new properties to our portfolio throughout the year and, if the print deadline has been missed, your property will still be marketed on our website with immediate effect.

Advertising

FBM Holidays is committed to developing our digital presence, thereby ensuring our full potential is realised. We have created a number of peripheral websites and media outlets with the aim of generating customer engagement, awareness and accessibility. By having your property in the FBM Holidays portfolio, our property owners benefit by our promotion. These are just some of the ways we do this.

An extensive marketing campaign encompassing national and regional newspapers and a variety of magazines.

Appearance at Trade Exhibitions throughout the year.

Internet advertising.

SEO and PPC campaigns.

FBM Holidays website - all our properties feature on our website and are available to book on-line. There has been a substantial increase in web bookings during the last year.

Email marketing - Google Analytics ensures the results of each email campaign are monitored to gauge effectiveness. Email marketing is often reported as second only to search engine marketing as the most effective online marketing tactic.

FBM Holidays is currently listed on major social media channels. This increases our presence online, gaining maximum exposure of our properties.

If you would like an informal meeting with one of our Property Consultants or would like to receive our Owners Information Pack please click here or call us on 01834844565.

If you need a number for a local contractor click here. We look forward to hearing from you.