Why a BnB?
I've not told you the story of exactly what prompted us to turn our garden cottage into a BnB called Lily's Cottage.
We originally built it for Mom Lily and Dad Malan; Dad did the electrical layout and some of the installations and hubby designed it with input from Mom and Dad. They loved their dream cottage that overlooked the pool and garden, but Dad only lived there for two years. Mom stayed on for another eight years, till she decided to move up to our house as it was too quiet in the evenings.
My son moved in until his big move to Johannesburg, and the cottage stood empty for a while.
Why would we do something as foolish as that?
Three months after Dad's unexpected death, my 42-year-old brother, who was a bachelor, died of a heart attack, the day after Christmas. We were devastated, Mom took it especially hard!
He had a property with a tenant who paid a deposit and the first month's rent, and then simply stopped paying.
After his death, she referred us to her lawyer, and that was our first introduction to the...
Prevention of Illegal Eviction from and Unlawful Occupation of Land Act 19 of 1998
which basically protects the rights of people living in a home/ structure with a roof, on any landowner's property without paying rent.
Are we now paying for the sins of our fathers when they brought in the Prevention of Illegal Squatting Act, Act No 52 of 1951, which formed part of the apartheid system of racial segregation in South Africa and authorized the forcible removal and destruction of homes of squatters?
We were shocked to hear that the only way we could get her to move, was to have her evicted via a court of law, which cost an arm and a leg!
To cut a long story short, this woman and her two daughters lived there for seven months until my brother's estate was wound up and we sold the duplex.
She agreed to move out if we signed a document absolving her of the seven month's rent!!!
We gladly signed it just to be rid of her!
Of course, that put me off tenants for life!
As we are centrally located between the beaches and the Upper Highway which has many tourist attractions, we decided to open up an Airbnb about six months prior to my retirement.
We spruced up the cottage with good quality beds, replaced some appliances and furniture, but kept some of the old pieces, so it's a mix of old and new. We wanted it to be comfy, and homely with some quaint touches.
Lily's Cottage is born
I listed our cottage on Airbnb and my goal was to have bookings for at least 7 days of the month; but I was in for a pleasant surprise as our bookings very soon far exceeded that!
When we had a two-month booking by a Swedish couple and their two young sons, we were ecstatic.
The rest is history; we then went through a lengthy registration process in order to be legal as a local BnB owner gave me a friendly warning that we could get a hefty fine. She actually did us a favour as we then listed on other booking sites and have become the preferred provider for a local training centre, which is great in the low season! We rarely get bookings from Airbnb nowadays but I will always be thankful to that site for being my learning ground!
Running a BnB has been the best experience, plus we get to use the extra space which not only helps supplement our retirement income, but we've had the pleasure of hosting wonderful guests from all over the world.
Covid put a halt to that, but the international guests are slowly coming back; mostly expats visiting family, so they usually stay for at least one to two weeks.
So...am I right in saying it is that painful Squatters Act that has been the catalyst for our little business?
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I'm glad it has all turned out happily for you. That is such a cute cottage.
I had a friend who decided he might make some extra by providing airbnb space. He had of course heard some horror stories, but also, there was SO much that had to be done to qualify. Before he got set up, he found out about Traveling Nurses who sometimes spend extended stays and decided to go that way instead. So far, he has had very good luck with it.
Thanks for your input @jacey.boldart!
We had only a handful of bad experiences in the beginning, but live on the property. I now emphasize the tranquility and quiet neighborhood as some think they can book for 4 and then use it as a party venue! No parties allowed are partvof our rules now but of course we understand if it's expat guests who request if family can come over. Different story altogether!
I must check out Traveling Nurses!
I have also had some nightmare experiences with tenants. And also as a tenant. So happy it worked out so well foe you.
I'm sure it can also be a good or bad experience with the boot on the other foot Fiona!
Happy...busy Friday to you👩🍳
And I've had boots on both feet!
Happy Friday, Lizelle!
Hi Lizzie! Here too it can be a big hassle to have tenants because the law protects them. And if the person who is renting is a person who has minors living with them it is impossible to get them out, not even going to court. So many people, given the risks, prefer not to rent.
The cottage looks so cozy. You must have met some amazing people from all over the world and that is a great experience. Although I suppose you've also had a few of those guests that you can't wait for them to leave, hehe ;)
Happy weekend!🤗
You've hit the nail on the head with regards to the guests, fortunately the really nice guests far outweigh the unwanted ones😅
That woman who was renting from my brother had 2 children & that's what her lawyer used as well! What is wrong with this world that they protect swindlers!
Anyway, have a great Sunday Eli🤗
A great Sunday to you too, Lizzie
And happy mothers day! 🤗🌷
There is usually a positive if we look for it, often in the most unlikeliest of places!
What an interesting beginning and I am glad that it took off so well for you Lizzie!
Very true @tengolotodo, even now with this destructive cyclone, at least both our neighbours' are now able to have the renovations done as everything has to be rebuilt, plus the elements got rid of all the stuff they're not using, a job my one friend had meant to do. I've started clearing out all my kitchen and outdated diningware that I've not used for ages and given it to my staff to keep for themselves or give to someone else who needs it. I now have tons of cupboard space!
Well that will be good for neighbours, I take it that insurance is paying and there is no problems claiming. I know when my house in Florida got damage in one of the hurricanes it was a pain in the arse getting a proper payout from the insurance company!
Aha tons of cupboard space means that you can get more stuff to put in them:)
I was waiting for that last response ;) But NO, I will not start hoarding again!
Fortunately, they are not having any issues with their insurance, my closest neighbour has been told she can redesign the interior layout of her granny cottage to her liking, as long as the exterior dimensions remain the same, so that is great for her, as they bought the property and the cottage design really did not have much thought put into it!
I did not realize that the law offered so much protection to tenants at the expense of owners. Glad to know that your Airbnb is doing so well.