New Zealand tourism has increased dramatically over the years, and the industry is expected to continue to grow at a rate of over 4% per year. While that seems like good news for rental property owners, it also means that there has been a dramatic increase in the number of people renting out spaces on Airbnb and other platforms.
In fact, the number of short-term rentals available in New Zealand has increased so dramatically that Auckland and Queenstown are both working on passing ordinances that restrict such rentals due to a lack of affordable and available housing for kiwis. Auckland is requiring anyone renting their property, in whole or in part, for more than 30 days per year to register as a commercial property rental.
What does this mean for rental property owners? If you are already registered as a commercial rental property, you are not going to be affected by the new regulations. Only the individuals renting out spaces that normally could not be let legally will face hardship from these new rules. But until competition decreases, you need to offer amazing or unique amenities that draw in tourists from other lower quality accommodations.
The importance of having the right amenities
A report released on the state of the New Zealand rental sector shows available amenities as the second most common reason people choose a rental property, beat out only by affordability. Research into the most popular holiday rental properties shows that water features like spa pools or natural bodies of water are an amenity in high demand. Sarah Mellwrick, the Director of Relax It Is Done luxury accommodation property management states “Spas are a key reason people book holiday homes especially during winter when skiing here in Queenstown”.
One travel blog ranks the top 25 Airbnb rentals in New Zealand, 15 of which were either waterfront properties or included a spa pool. Of the remaining ten, 8 properties on the list had a unique appeal, theme or construction that precluded the installation of a hot tub or pool.
Analysis of all of the rental properties on their list shows that other popular amenities are:
- Stunning views of landscapes, sunrises, and sunsets
- Up-to-date and fully equipped kitchens
- Modern updates to traditional settings (like a castle with a 21st century kitchen)
- Privacy – Consider installing a fence around the spa pool for added security and comfort
- Off-grid features – Many vacationers don’t want the temptation of Wi-Fi
Offering luxury amenities in any setting will increase the number of people who book your rental property. The more amenities you offer, the more you can charge, and the happier your customers will be.
The great debate – Does a spa pool add value to your rental property?
There is a lot of debate as to whether or not a spa pool can increase your property value. The short answer is yes, but before holiday home owners invest in a spa pool, be sure that you are getting a trusted and reputable brand. Unreliable, cheap, or less sophisticated spa pools can cost far too much to run, negating the benefit of the added amenity. Sarah Mellwrick expands upon her experience within the property rental industry by saying “We find that the hot spring spas are the best brand when it comes to holiday homes as the filtration system is of a high quality and the water looks nice and clean for each booking once valeted.”
Meet Anne and Henry, Airbnb Owners of Ocean Dream B & B and Hot Spring customers for 15 years.
In addition to operation costs, you may run into hidden costs such as installation, maintenance, or electrical issues. As New Zealand's oldest and trusted Spa brand, our spa pools are consistently recognised for outstanding quality and value and are a common feature in popular rental properties.
Even if it does not increase your property’s market value, it will help you increase your overall bookings and portfolio.
By contrast, the cost to run a hot tub is typically less than $10* per week. It is generally recommended to not spend more than 45 minutes per session. As such, the actual run time of the spa pool is fairly minimal, especially during a short-term stay. Most of your rate increase can go directly to profits.
Best types of rental properties to install a spa pool
There are some types of properties that can benefit more from spa pools than others. While the most popular New Zealand vacation rentals offer some type of water feature, many of the waterfront or riverfront destinations don’t have a spa pool. Even when you are able to go to the beach and swim in the sea, a spa pool for relaxation without leaving the property is very beneficial to your guests.
Eco-friendly rental properties are in high demand and low supply, but most of them stop at those features. Instead of letting all of that potential go to waste, install an energy efficient spa pool with features like our spa pools that have energy saving features:
- pumps that use less energy than a 40 watt light bulb;
- constructed of several layers of high density foam;
- using low energy LED lights;
- has smart jets only run when and where you need it;
- and hot air induction, reusing heat to cut down on energy used to produce heat.
Your guests will be thankful for the added amenity, and your operating costs will still be minimal.
Another property category that is often overlooked are off-grid destinations. Off-grid usually means that the rental property is secluded, rural, and/or not supplied with Wi-Fi and other tech. But wanting to be off-grid to avoid the outside world shouldn’t require you to be without the amenities you love. Smart rental property owners understand this, and will outfit even those most isolated sites with luxury amenities including spa pools to maximise relaxation. We have dealers in most major cities, but we can arrange delivery and installation outside normal service areas. Unlike most spa pool brands, we go above and beyond to help you coordinate any third-party contractors like hiab, crane or water truck hires. Our service extends to a handover process at the time of installation to ensure you're confident with all spa features. Our goal is to deliver customer satisfaction from the very first moment you speak to us so why wait, contact us today.
Could your rental property benefit from a spa pool installation?
Not sure if it is possible or beneficial to install a spa pool at your rental property? We are always happy to help! We will answer all of your questions and ensure that installing a spa pool is the right move for your rental property portfolio. Get in touch and book your free pre-site inspection today.
*The energy your spa uses depends on a variety of factors. These factors can vary between your spa model, frequency of use, your mean ambient temperature (average temperature), as well as your electricity rate. This can also be offset if you have alternative energy sources such as solar power. Speak to your Hot Spring dealer for more information.
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