Have you contacted your tenants from last summer - or from the previous summer, too, for that matter? Repeat tenants are like gold. They’re already familiar with your property and enjoy it enough to return. And you know that they’ll follow your house rules and take good care of it.

Some homeowners express concern that contacting their past tenants may seem too pushy or aggressive. But our experience indicates just the opposite – vacationers are usually very appreciative of a host's taking the time to contact them and offer to reserve a specific week for them!

How to handle repeat guests regarding a rate increase

If you decide to raise your rent, you might risk losing some of these guests. As an extra incentive to book your home again, you can offer to split the difference with them between the old price and the new, at least for the first year. Alternatively, you can allow them last year’s rate.

If you do offer them a discount, be sure to make them very aware of it. “Just letting you know that we have had to raise our rates for next year. But since we enjoy having your family stay with us, we would be willing to charge you only half of the increase.”

Of course, if you add amenities or make upgrades, you would be justified in asking repeat tenants to pay full price, even though you may risk losing a few of them.

Don’t sacrifice any new prospects

Perhaps on their departure, or in a guest review, one of your tenants expressed an interest in returning for the same week next season, but you haven’t heard from them since, nor have you followed up to get a commitment from them. What if, in the meantime, you receive an inquiry for “their week”? By the time you contact your original tenant to ask for a commitment and hear back from them, there’s a good chance the new inquirer will have moved on to someone else’s listing. Thus, it’s important to contact your past tenants and get a commitment from them as soon as possible so that, when you get a new inquiry, you can respond immediately rather than risk losing them.

Build a positive relationship

Stay in touch with your tenants after they leave. Some homeowners send out cards wishing them Happy Holidays and reminding them that you are already booking your home. With time, some families will end up feeling like your home is “their” home, even if it’s only for a week out of the year!