“For me, rental income means greater financial freedom” – Jeanett Degn on the benefits of renting out her holiday home

By Jeanett Degn, Landfolk host and founder of Sommerhus Magasinet ✍🏼

As the founder of Sommerhus Magasinet, I interact with many holiday home owners on a daily basis, and I’ve noticed a growing trend of interest in renting out one’s holiday home. Many people ask me about my own experiences with it and what makes it worthwhile for me. In this article, I’ve compiled my thoughts on the many benefits of renting out my holiday home — perhaps they’ll inspire you if you’re considering sharing your space with others.

Financial benefits: Increased freedom and opportunities

One of the greatest benefits of renting out a holiday home is the financial gain. For me, rental income means I enjoy greater financial freedom. With this income, I can cover the fixed expenses of the house and even reinvest in it—dreams like adding a hot tub or a sauna suddenly become achievable. The rental income has also allowed my family and me to fund our holidays. My husband and I have, for example, set up a separate “holiday fund” account where our rental income goes. It almost feels as though our next holiday is free. Almost. There are also clear tax advantages to renting out in Denmark, including the personal allowance that allows you to keep a significant portion of the income without losing it all to tax.

Social benefits: Sharing a unique retreat

By renting out my holiday home, I’m not only creating financial opportunities but also allowing others to experience the joy it brings me. There’s something special about knowing that guests who appreciate aesthetics and character find their holiday wishes fulfilled in my holiday home and its beautiful surroundings. I’ve hosted guests who genuinely valued the details in the house, which really warms my heart. One guest left a message in the guestbook describing how much they enjoyed the special atmosphere — they laughed, relaxed, and recharged to dive back into daily life. It made me feel I’d contributed to their perfect getaway. Sharing a place I love brings me immense joy, and for me, this is a significant part of the sharing economy.

Mental benefits: Peace of mind

Renting out my holiday home has also relieved a mental burden. I know the feeling of guilt when the house sits empty for long periods. Knowing it’s being used and enjoyed by others, instead of gathering dust, brings peace of mind. It creates a sense that the house receives the attention it deserves.

Flexibility: Full oversight and control

As a host, I have full control over when and how much I rent out my holiday home. This means I can always block off time in the calendar for personal use and adapt renting it out to suit my needs. I also have the option to decline booking requests that don’t meet my criteria, such as large groups. For my family and me, it’s essential to have the flexibility to use the house ourselves when we want, which Landfolk makes possible. When we plan holidays or, for example, Christmas in our holiday home, I simply block out the dates in the system. There have also been times when I’ve declined a booking if it didn’t feel like the right match.

Security and insurance: Renting without worries

Another significant advantage of renting out my holiday home through Landfolk is the insurance coverage, which protects me against any potential damages. It provides reassurance that both my house and I are well-covered if anything goes wrong. Since the guests that visit my holiday home are real people, mishaps can naturally happen — just as they can when I use the house myself. We’ve had 230 guests so far, and only once did we encounter an incident. We had a situation where our floor was damaged on a larger scale, but thankfully, the insurance took care of it. The entire process, from reporting the damage to repairs, went smoothly, and I felt secure throughout.

Optimal pricing and rental strategy for my holiday home

Initially, I found it challenging to set the right price. I looked at prices for other houses in the area and compared based on size, location, and amenities. This was back in 2021, and since then, a lot of great tools have become available to help price a holiday home. I’ve chosen to rent for at least two nights at a time, and during the high summer season, we require a week’s stay. This way, our prices are tailored to the season’s demand, ensuring the best rental strategy for us.

💡 About pricing your holiday home

Did you know that when you become a host with Landfolk, you receive a tailored recommendation for your pricing during both high and low seasons. This price is calculated based on the experiences of other successful hosts in your local area. Since demand for holiday homes varies with the seasons, we set our price higher in the summer, when interest peaks, and adjust the price down in the low season to attract guests.

Many of our hosts leave the pricing strategy to Landfolk within a set framework, allowing us to work together to maximise your income. We’re here to assist you every step of the way.

The practical aspects of renting out your holiday home One thing I truly appreciate about renting out my holiday home through Landfolk is that cleaning is taken care of. Guests pay a cleaning fee, and when I arrive, the cabin is ready and clean — a real luxury! We have a cupboard in one of the rooms marked “private,” where we keep personal items. This way, our belongings are undisturbed when we return. There’s no strict requirement to clear out the fridge entirely. Items like ketchup, pickled beets, and other things we’ll need next time can stay put. It makes returning feel easy and homely.

The first step: My advice for you

If you’re tempted by the idea of renting out your holiday home, but still feeling a bit unsure, I understand. I felt the same way before I took the leap. It’s your personal sanctuary, and there are feelings attached to it. But my best advice is to start slowly. Begin by renting it out for shorter periods and see how it feels. You can use the calendar system to keep only a few periods open. Remember, Landfolk is always there to help. They’re available if you need assistance — before, during, and after a rental period. I vividly remember a time when the terrace door in our holiday home wouldn’t close as guests were checking out, and we were called while on holiday abroad. Landfolk took care of it immediately, allowing us to continue enjoying our own holiday worry-free. Renting out your holiday home can be a fantastic opportunity to make the most of both finances and experiences — for me, it certainly is.

💡 About renting out through Landfolk

Are you curious about renting out your holiday home? Learn more about the benefits of renting out through Landfolk. We help you share your beautiful space and create wonderful experiences for you and your future guests.

👉🏼 Apply now to become a part of Landfolk.