Pre-closing Q & A on Vacation Homes

  • What does Vista Rent’s snagging service provide for me?
    • Finding defects before closing on your property is advantageous to owners, as they can be addressed before the property closing date. Professionals utilize a check-list and their expertise to find problems that may not be obvious to the untrained eye. Snagging provides purchasers with an insider who will approach builders on your behalf to correct construction flaws.
  • How do I furnish and decorate my apartment?
    • To purchase complete furniture packages for your Moroccan holiday home we recommend you visit Moroccan Living’s website at www.moroccan-living.co.uk. Moroccan Living provides a comprehensive furniture package and offers additional options. They ensure placement, delivery and installation of your order in a timely manner with the units they furnish containing all the basic components to insure occupants have everything they need for a worry free stay. However Moroccan Living does more than provide the basics they create a "home" which is both comfortable and relaxing with a great ambiance. Property owners may also choose to furnish their own units and several have done a fabulous job. If an owner is interested in furnishing the apartment themselves or through another company please feel free to contact us so we can provide a list of items that we recommend for the best possible rental potential. Higher quality furniture will last longer and be more appealing to potential renters. For Rental Management purposes, owners will want to consider Vista Rent’s standards for holiday home furnishings. All Vista Rent rental properties must have hot water. Additionally, the installation of air-conditioning units in the bedrooms and the living room is highly recommended as rental prices are set in accordance. Vista Rent’s Linen program takes into account standard bed sizes, and our linens may not fit custom beds.
  • What is the advantage of installing Hot Water and AC/Heat Pump units?
    • Though it is not standard in Morocco for builders to install hot water heating, Vista Rent requires water heater installation by those in our Rental Management program. The AC and Heat Pump units are extremely important to a successful rental management program and contribute toward establishing the rental price on individual units. During high season outside temperatures and humidity determine which units renters will request. Many Europeans prefer air-conditioning in their bedrooms. For this reason, Vista Rent highly recommends the installation of AC units in all bedrooms and the living room. Moroccan Living installs adequately sized hot water units and air conditioning/heat pump units and employs a reliable electrician.

Q & A Regarding Vista Rent’s Property Protection

  • Will Vista Rent provide updates on my vacation home?
    • For clients who sign up for Vista Rent’s Property Protection Service which is a prerequisite for Rental Management, we will visit your apartment monthly to test electronic equipment and utilities as well as the contents and condition of your vacation home. For your convenience and peace of mind we will upload quarterly reports onto our website providing easy access to the latest financial report, inventory, your home’s current condition, as well as three digital photos.
  • Why would Vista Rent control the keys on holiday homes?
    • Securing keys is invaluable towards Vista Rent meeting the expectations of both owners and renters. The keys are secured in a safe place that allows Vista Rent access to your unit to ensure that your property is cleaned, aired, and repaired on a monthly basis. Additionally, key holding allows Vista Rent employees to access your vacation home in a timely manner to update inventory and take digital photos to prepare your quarterly updates. For clients who sign-up for our Rental Management program, key holding allows rental clients access to your home and also owners to utilise their homes without accidentally walking in on a renter.
  • Why would Vista Rent need to change the locks of my apartments?
    • Changing locks ensures the safety of your unit and belongings which is a major concern of Vista Rent. We have no idea who could have made extra copies or how many copies were made during the construction process therefore we require all locks, including those to the front door and patio(s) to be changed before we begin our service. This prevents unauthorised persons from entering your holiday home.

Q & A about Vista Rent’s Rental Management

  • What do I need to do in order to utilise Vista Rent Property Management services?
    • To utilise our Property Management Services you will need to provide us with the following:
      • Copy of the full inventory of your vacation home (download form from our website)
      • Copy of the insurance policy for your vacation home
      • Photocopy of the main information page of each of the owner’s passports
      • Photocopy of the Title Deeds
      • Keys to front and patio(s) doors (we require a lock change)
      • Furniture package if not already installed
      • Name/phone/address of an emergency contact in needs space case we are unable to contact you the owner
      • Completed contract (can be downloaded from our website and can be faxed to us)
      • Payment including accompanying form (to be downloaded from VR website)
  • How do I obtain property insurance for my holiday home? What are the insurance requirements?
    • Vista Rent can refer you to Insurance Agents both in the UK and Morocco who can provide you with coverage for your property and its contents. Our Administrative Services package includes assistance with purchasing insurance for your home and an annual reminder for payment. Our staff researched prices on three reputable Moroccan agencies, including those used by Compass Properties and the American Embassy.
  • How can I secure personal belongings within my vacation home?
    • Vista Rent can refer you to Moroccan insurance agents who can provide you with coverage on your property and its contents. Our Administrative Services package includes assistance with purchasing insurance for your home and an annual reminder for payment. Our staff researched prices on three reputable Moroccan agencies, including those used by Compass Properties and the American Embassy.
  • Will Vista Rent leave consumable products in the apartment after clients or renters leave?
    • We at Vista Rent are devoted to making sure our clients are comfortably and safely settled in their homes. Due to possible food contamination or expiration dates passing, we deem it unsafe to leave consumable products other than paper goods and cleaning products in the unit between occupants. Maintaining this standard is a precautionary step toward preventing an infestation of unwanted pests. For Vista Rent members who purchase Administrative Services, we recommend a personal storage area in which items such as laundry powder or a sealed foodstuffs can be kept.
  • How will I be notified when my unit is occupied and if it is available?
    • You will be able to track your property rental on our website. To expedite rentals we at Vista Rent recommend owners reserve their unit as soon as they establish personal travel plans and are aware their unit is available for rent. Vista Rent require that holiday home owners provide 1 months notification of owner occupancy with the rental dates. Providing advanced notification regarding owner occupancy and unit availability allows us to book your unit as soon as a renter enquires. Some renters may request a specific unit. If they do not state a preference requests for units will be rotated among owners whose units are available. If owners have not provided us with availability information and a potential renter requests a particular unit, we will contact an owner via email regarding a specific request and await confirmation before booking a unit. If confirmation is delayed by more than three working days we will suggest the rental client consider another available unit.
  • Will renting in high season give me a better chance of rental?
    • Yes, definitively. High Season which starts on 15th of July and ends on 1st of September is a very active period for the North of Morocco . This coastline has a warm Mediterranean climate tempered on the eastern coast by southwest trade winds. Morocco’s good weather and beautiful beaches is attracting an increasing number of tourists every year which is very promising for all owners renting out their property.
  • Will I pay commission to Vista Rent if I want to use my apartment or for family/friends?
    • No. Owners do not pay commission to Vista Rent if you are planning to host friends or family in your property. However, we want you to inform us of the arrival and departure dates beforehand for Vista Rent to reserve this period for you and/ or relatives and friends. Changeover fees will be charged between occupants.
        What are the market indicators for holiday home rentals along the Moroccan Mediterranean?
      • Morocco is promoting and creating supportive infrastructure for tourism
      • While the value of holiday property rises along the coast owners can enjoy a return on their investment
      • Two bedroom holiday homes rent for between £ 42 and £ 60 a night: an attractive price to potential renters
      • Rental demand during the High Season is far greater than property availability
      • Maximizing cash flow improves resale value
      • A luxurious lifestyle is available with low cost living
      • Hassle free property and rental management is offered
      • Quality customer service is available for holiday home owners and rental clients
      • International advertising
      • 24-hour emergency services ensure peace of mind
      • Moroccan holidaymakers from Casablanca and Rabat spend summer holidays along the Mediterranean coast and sometimes vie for available properties
      • The Moroccan Mediterranean is becoming a destination hot spot for Europeans
  • Does Vista Rent guarantee rental income?
    • Guaranteed rental schemes are fairly new in the international real estate market The real advent of guaranteed rental schemes took place in Florida around six years ago before moving swiftly onto Bulgaria and France and are now available in most destinations. The truth behind such schemes is that they are seldom based on true market demand. Guaranteed rent is usually offered during the off-plan building stage and the guarantees last around two-years. In practice, most developers raise their prices by the same amount and often the properties sit empty. The bottom line in such schemes is the owner pays their own rent! Clients who have purchased through Compass Properties have acquired property at a market-beating price. In order to ensure their clients receive maximum benefit from their savings, Compass did not tie any such "guaranteed rental scheme" into their prices. The good news is that the Costa Vista's rental market is booming especially the local market which is incredibly strong. We intend to take full advantage of this situation by maximising our marketing strategy in order to strive for high occupancy rates for our clients during the summer months. We are optimistic that your investment will be profitable. Income of £60 per day is regularly achieved during the high season. Please be assured that it is in our best interests to do our very best to ensure that your property is rented out.
  • What are the nightly rental rates?
    • Factors that figure into the rental price of holiday homes include: season, square meters, décor, water heater, AC/heat pump units, location, and condition of property. night rates
  • What can we expect regarding Rental bookings of available holiday homes?
    • We cannot state specific numbers regarding occupancy rates. Most of our renters are Europeans and Moroccans. To Europeans who tend to plan holidays well in advance having our properties in the high season maybe only half-booked as it gets closer may seem low. However, Moroccans rent the majority of the available holiday homes along the coast at this time and usually plan their trips ten-days or less before traveling. Many Moroccans even make arrangements upon arrival making holiday home demand exceeded supply. Also Ramadan which moves backwards throughout the year (Dec to Jan) can change and affect the high season greatly. What you can be confident of is our marketing takes advantage of the differences between cultures. We take full advantage of the internet, locally and abroad and are constantly looking at ways to extend our market and the rental seasons by creating getaway packages in an effort to maximise holiday home occupancy throughout the year. We are currently working on building up a network of Travel Agencies in the UK and Spain to work closely with and offer Tailor Made holidays in our properties.
  • What additional fees are required in addition after a client signs up for Vista Rent’s Starter Pack Plus?
    • There are not other fees - the Starter Pack Plus is all inclusive.
  • How much will I pay for the change-overs between guests?
    • The £15 fee covers full cleaning of the property and full change of linen.
  • How is Moroccan rental income tax calculated?
    • Investors from the UK looking to let their Morocco property pay tax on any rental income that is generated. However, investors enjoy a 3-year tax exemption before being required to pay tax on 60% of their rental income. For tax advice, we recommend you consult with a tax expert.

Q & A regarding Vista Rent’s Administrative Services

  • How will my utility payments be processed?
    • It should be noted that in order to pay regularly bills yourself it would require a personal visit to Morocco on a monthly basis. Our administrative service provides this for you can assist in tracking utility payments for water and electricity providing you with peace of mind knowing your services will continue without interruption by establishing a reserve account with Amendis (Morocco’s Utilities company) which allows bills to be paid on a regular basis. Vista Rent’s Administrative Services will keep track of your Amendis account and follow through on any payment delays or oversights preventing utilities from being cut off before your arrival or that of your renters.
  • Will the Administrative Services fee cover payment of electricity, water and insurance?
    • No. Vista Rent does not pay for your insurance and utilities bills but assists you in paying and tracking them. We also assist Administrate Services clients in purchasing insurance—a difficult task to complete from outside the country.
  • Any Other Questions?
    • Please feel free to email or call us with any other questions or doubts that you might have!