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Recruitment Drive
A significant recruitment drive has been launched to increase membership and grow the Association. Over 12,200 letters were sent out on 24th October to owners of self-catering properties in Scotland. If you have received it you don’t need to do anything, but do feel free to pass it on to anyone that is providing self-catering accommodation and isn’t already a member of the ASSC.
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Zero Waste Scotland
Take a look at the step-by-step planner and webinar videos from Resource Efficient Scotland to motivate staff to save energy, water, waste and recycle better. (Or chat to them at the Conference!).
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New Trade Supplier: Insurance for Holiday Homes
If you own or are purchasing a holiday home in Scotland Insurance For Holiday Homes can offer you insurance for buildings and contents designed exclusively for these properties. Insurance for Holiday Homes has over 10 years of experience providing specialist holiday home cover and supply a wide range of options so that you don’t pay for what you don’t need. Find out more in the Members' Area or www.insuranceforholidayhomes.co.uk.
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Tourism Webinars
The next series of tourism webinars will be starting on Wednesday 9 November. This short clip will give you a taste of what’s to come https://youtu.be/gFx0qY-ZLDw. The full programme can also be downloaded from the HIE website: www.hie.co.uk/tourism-webinars
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Tip from EQ Accountants: Deposits - taxable or not?
The treatment of rental deposits varies depending on what happens at the end of the rental period. If the deposit is fully returned, it should not be treated as taxable income. However, if any proportion of the deposit is retained to cover costs, such as damages or cleaning, the retained element should be included within taxable income for the rental business. Care should be taken to ensure that deposits are captured in the correct period – bookings and deposit payments may straddle periods of account. You may save tax by ensuring that your deposit receipts are treated correctly.
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Pet-Friendly Signposted Properties
We are carrying out a significant PR and marketing campaign focusing on pet-friendly properties. Are you making the most of this opportunity?
A recent Facebook promoted post linking to the pet-friendly properties page on EmbraceScotland reached 38,064 people!
If you would like to sign up to the pet-friendly featured accommodation area by adding a Signposted Property go to Your Account > Signposted Properties > Add Features and select Pet-Friendly Cottages.
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Insurance Tip from J L Morris
You may have a self catering apartment where the common facilities, such as a swimming pool and sauna, are provided by the building owners. A fire occurs affecting only the swimming pool and sauna. Your apartment is unaffected. Holidaymakers cancel because the advertised facilities are no longer available.
Our self catering policy provides cover for your loss of income. As far as we are aware, no other insurer has this cover.
For a specific policy for the self-catering sector contact us or meet us at the ASSC Conference at the Glasgow Hilton.
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ASSC Members in Regional Finals of Scottish Thistle Awards
Congratulations to Cuil Moss Cottage on being a finalist in the Highlands and Islands Tourism Awards and to Mill of Nethermill on making the finals of the Aberdeen City & Shire Tourism Awards. These two regional awards are part of The Scottish Thistle Awards, with the winners of the 5 programmes progressing to the National Final in March 2017. Read more...
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Feedback from the 2015 Conference
“Excellent conference, something for everyone, huge amounts to stimulate and reassure us and very well organised. Well done!” Ann Lindsay, Dunkeld Holidays
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Paws for a Break 2016/17 Award
Have you entered your property for this brand new award?
Nominations close in just 5 days! You can self-nominate, or ask previous guests to nominate you.
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Economic Impact Survey
The English Association of Self-Catering Operators (EASCO) has recently produced a report focused on rural and coastal self-catering, supported by our Partners for Business, SuperControl. Rural self-catering in England contributes over £3bn to the economy from accommodation spend alone.
Our study is more in depth, and will be able to provide impact beyond the immediate rental income. Have you completed the survey? Please do! https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ASSC-Owner-Survey
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A word from our Partner for Business Scottish Cottages
"As your local, expert holiday letting agency, Scottish Cottages offer you decades of experience managing quality self-catering cottages as well as free listing on cottages.com. So whether you already own a property or are thinking about buying one, speak to our letting experts at the ASSC conference on 8th November".
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Pet-Friendly Trends
VisitScotland research shows that 30% of holidaymakers base their trip on how suitable a destination is for their pets, and 72% of dog owners say they would take more holidays in the UK is pets were accepted. Find out more about our Paws for a Break Pets Welcome Charter...
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Insurance Tip from Boshers: Key to Protecting your Holiday Let
As claims increase so do premiums. Fortunately there is a lot that you can do to protect your holiday let, your guests and help keep insurance costs down. Take the time to read this informative infographic which explains some of the more common claims affecting holiday homes. There are also top tips on how you can protect your holiday let and reduce the risk of having a claim yourself.
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Please note - you need to log into the ASSC Members' Area to be able to read some of the the articles and posts in full. Find out more about joining the Association.
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A very warm welcome to new Members:
Jill Malvenan, non-marketing, Balfron
Moira Henderson, The Rings, Cupar, Fife
SYHA Hostelling Scotland
Ann Ruck, non-marketing, Wester Ross
Kellie Jewell-Galletly, non-marketing, Edinburgh
Karen Trimble, Quinag Cottage, Edinburgh, property in Achiltibuie
Mushtaq Yousaf, non-marketing, Glasgow
Penny Dryden, non-marketing, Cambridge
Shona Benson, The Gate Lodge, Kinross
Eali Ferguson, The Loch Rannoch Highland Club, Kinloch Rannoch
Very best wishes,
Fiona Campbell
Chief Executive
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The ASSC is happy to be working with leading industry partners:
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