Benefits
About
News
Events
Resources
Forum
Your account

Category: ASSC Talks

Legionella Awareness Training – Tuesday, 29th November 2022

Solway Water Management (SWM) provided Legionella Awareness Training to ASSC members, which covered the basic Legionella compliance required to be in place for a holiday property and the pit falls of not having a suitable Legionella risk assessment in place.  SWM looked at a typical Legionella risk assessment template.  Please contact your local council / download the template from the Council website – if you wish to attempt to do the risk assessment yourself

Solway Water Management (SWM) provided Legionella Awareness Training to ASSC members, which covered the basic Legionella compliance required to be in place for a holiday property and the pit falls of not having a suitable Legionella risk assessment in place.  SWM looked at a typical Legionella risk assessment template.  Please contact your local council / download the template from the Council website – if you wish to attempt to do the risk assessment yourself.

ASSC Talks: Supporters: 2022 – 2023

Talk Sponsors

 

ASSC wishes to thank the following organisations for their generous support of the current ASSC Talk series and for their commitment in general, it is very much appreciated.  

Talk Sponsors: 2022 – 2023

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Main Sponsor:  Tunnock’s

With a proud heritage stretching back to 1890, Tunnock’s biscuits have acquired the proud status of Scottish icons.

We start with the finest ingredients, then add layers of ownership by the same caring family.  Then cover with a generous sprinkling of attention to detail and Tunnock’s magic, making our biscuits second to none.

Our factory in Uddingston, Scotland, is equipped with cutting edge machinery and technology, producing all the quality elements required to create the famous distinctive Tunnock’s taste – the wafers, the caramel, the marshmallow.  We even make our own delicious chocolate!

Try one of the 12 million biscuits we make and sell every week – you’ll not be disappointed!

Sir A B Tunnock

For more information about Tunnock’s products and who to contact please look here – Tunnock’s Promotional Leaflet 

Partners for Business

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Airbnb was born in 2007 when two Hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to 4 million Hosts who have welcomed more than 1 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, Hosts offer unique stays and one-of-a-kind activities that make it possible for guests to experience the world in a more authentic, connected way.

Airbnb helps make home sharing easy, enjoyable, and safe. We verify every single guest profile and provide you with all the tools you need to welcome them into your homes. These range from smart messaging, recommended pricing as well as payment handling and insurance cover for each and every stay.

Learn more on https://www.airbnb.co.uk/host/homes

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Awaze is the largest managed vacation rentals and holiday resorts business in Europe which brings together trusted travel brands including cottages.com, Hoseasons, James Villa Holidays and Novasol.

Cottages.com is the UK’s leading provider of holiday cottages and luxury homes and offers more than 21,000 places to stay in the UK. From coastal retreats to country castles, the brand is home to a number of unique, inspiring collections, curated by our experts, and helps over 1.45 million guests and more than 163,000 pets find their perfect break every year. With over 40 years’ experience helping owners let their property successfully, Cottages.com is a friendly, UK-based company, available to our owners and customers 7 days a week via telephone, email or webchat.

Hoseasons offers a range of accommodation from parks and lodges to boats and cottages to suit the 1.75 million customers it sends on holiday each year. With 75 years of experience, Hoseasons is proud to offer first class customer service, the widest range of places to stay and the warmest welcome.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Beyond (formerly Beyond Pricing) is a complete revenue management solution for short-term rental managers and owners to get, grow, and keep revenue. Our easy-to-use platform includes a dynamic, demand-driven pricing tool with extensive market data that pairs with OTA distribution and a best-in-class booking engine.

We’ve helped thousands of property managers and property owners like Island Realty, Royal American Beach Getaways, and Coquet Cottages, get the most out of their listings. To date, we have supported over 340,000 properties in more than 7,500 cities worldwide.

Founded in 2013, Beyond is headquartered in San Francisco. To learn more, visit beyondpricing.com.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

A Scottish law firm with national and international capability, Brodies has a reputation for uncompromising quality, expertise and innovation. With over 750 staff operating from our bases across Scotland, Brodies offers a talented team of lawyers that services virtually all sector in the UK economy.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Bruce Stevenson is one of the largest independent Insurance Brokers in Scotland.

As well as providing Corporate & Commercial insurance and Risk Management services, Bruce Stevenson has established specialist units devoted to areas such as Renewable Energy, Property Owners, Social Housing, Heritage Property and Private Clients. We currently have three offices throughout the UK, in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Galashiels employing over 85 specialist staff.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

The Cumberland Building Society  – Experts in Hospitality Mortgages – specialise in mortgages for the tourism and hospitality sector. We can consider cases many other lenders don’t, and lend throughout the UK and certain Scottish Islands. If you are buying a hospitality property or want to see if we can offer a better deal on your current property, speak to us about our personal, flexible service and products. Our professionally qualified team of advisers will work with you to understand your business and individual circumstances.

Our Hospitality Mortgage Experts are waiting to hear from you – The Cumberland Promotional Leaflet 

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

DM Hall is an industry recognised firm of Chartered Surveyors with a large network of offices across Scotland. The firm has over 100 fully qualified surveryors, specialising in the full spectrum of residential and commercial services.

We are a major provider of Home Reports, including EPCs, and can provide all other industry recognised residential reports. Our commercial department offers the full range of valuation services and has its own commercial agency department. In addition we have specialists in other areas including building surveying, architectural services, planning, property enquiry certificates as well as our country department, Baird Lumsden.

  • Caroline Wayte, Marketing Manager / Stewart Ritchie, Compliance Support & Development Manager
  • All enquiries to: ASSC@dmhall.co.uk
  • www.dmhall.co.uk/assc
  • Twitter 

Our Surveying & Specialist Property Services partner are here to help you.  See DM Hall Promotional Leaflet for more information 

@dmhallsurveyors external health & safety audit passed with flying colours & maintained their prestigious ISO 9001:2015 company-wide, quality standard – proving a clear commitment to continually improving our service – https://www.facebook.com/dmhallsurveyors/posts/3574280905985518

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

We are a comprehensive law firm, offering expert legal, property and financial services. So whatever stage you are at in your life, we can help you achieve your goals.

We support our clients throughout their entire lifetime, so whether it’s corporate law or conveyancing, litigation or family law, our specialised teams will be by your side every step of the way.

The right legal advice has never been more important – and here is where to find it – Gilson Gray – Leaflet 

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

GuestReady is a leading hospitality & property technology company with a focus on short-term rental management.

We launched operations in 2016 and are presently active in over 30 cities around the world, including cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Paris, Lisbon, and Dubai.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

With over 30 years of experience, holidaycottages.co.uk is now one of the leading names in UK holiday rentals, and the flagship of Travel Chapter – home to a unique network of award-winning brands which includes Cottages & Castles and Canine Cottages.

From cosy shepherds’ huts to impressive castles, we have over 8,000 properties letting with us across the UK, including over 670 in Scotland. Having received a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award as well as excellent ratings across Feefo and Trustpilot, guests can be confident in our customer service as well as in the quality of the accommodation.

As for our owners, we recognise that they are as special as the properties they own, which is why we offer the local support of dedicated property account managers who work with their owners to maximise the success of their properties.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Houghton Planning provide a range of services to cover all aspects of town and rural planning. The main contacts are well-known in planning circles, and have 60+ years planning experience between them.  We have been helping clients in the tourism sector for many, many years across Scotland.

We can help you prepare your Planning Application, or Certificate of Lawfulness, or can prepare and submit the application for you.

The company will be with you from the day you start the application process, keeping you updated in a friendly professional way, and will guide you through the complexities of the planning system in a straightforward and common sense way.

We offer cost-effective advice, and will work for ASSC members for a discounted fixed fee rate for a Planning Application, and a pre-agreed fixed fee based upon a discounted hourly rate for any planning advice, and work in preparing and submitting a Certificate of Lawfulness. All fees will be agreed in advance, and will not be exceeded unless circumstances merit further work being undertaken, which will be flagged well in advance.

We  observe the byelaws, regulations, and ethical guidelines, of the Royal Town Planning Institute.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Interhome Group has been professionally managing holiday homes and apartments for over 50 years in the UK. Their guests primarily come from mainland Europe, and they are looking for their perfect getaway in Scotland.
If you are interested in reaching a new market please feel free to get in touch.

  • Richard Harris, Head of Purchasing UK and Ireland
  • Tel:  +44 208 068 9962 | Mob : +44 7949 976160
  • Richard.harris@interhome.group
  • www.Interhome.group
  • @Interhome_UKIE

OR

Looking for specialist advise on how to rent your holiday home?  Interhome are here to help you – Interhome Promotional Leaflet

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Pillow Partners are an Online Travel Tech platform that matches vacation rental owners with quality guests from around the world while focusing on improving local communities and making a difference in the world.

For owners of short term rental properties, we offer a range of marketing and management services, while facilitating the use of their properties to have a real social impact. Every owner who lists with us gets the opportunity to use their property for good.

For guests, we offer a fantastic selection of rental properties, from 1 night to several years – all while creating opportunities to give back to the communities where they stay. We not only cater for tourists but also help workers get affordable accommodation, supply long term corporate lettings for executives and companies.

Every single stay booked with Pillow Partners improves local communities in some way. So whether you are an owner, guest, charity partner or in our supply chain – you will be making a difference and helping to save lives.

At Pillow Partners we endeavour to ensure every booking makes a difference. When booking you get a chance to donate to charities and good causes in the community where you will be staying. Imagine not only staying with Pillow Partners and having an amazing experience but leaving knowing you’ve done some good in the world (and in many cases even helped save lives).

We ensure all the owners who list with us also use their properties for good, with many donating 7 days each year to raise money for good causes.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Pure Utilities is a Licensed Provider of Water and Waste Water services to non-household customers in Scotland. We have extensive experience supplying self-catering properties, providing mains services to thousands of like-minded customers. Our people are big on providing first class customer service and focused on providing better value to your business. We’re passionate about treating customers fairly and improving the industry to benefit the consumer.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

SuperControl is a complete self-catering business management and marketing solution. It looks after your bookings, payments and communication with guests and connects with your marketing channels to save you time and get you more bookings.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Sykes Holiday Cottages is one of the UK’s leading and fastest-growing independent holiday cottage rental agencies, offering over 19,000 holiday homes from property owners across the UK, Ireland and New Zealand. From romantic cosy cottages for two to larger properties that sleep 20 or more – couples, families and reuniting friendship groups can find something to suit them with Sykes.

Founded 30 years ago, Sykes Holiday Cottages is also one of the best-known travel brands, having won the British Travel Award for Best Large Holiday Cottage Booking Company for eight consecutive years.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Unique Cottages are based in Scotland with over 25 years of experience in letting holiday cottages across the country. We specialise in Scotland and know and love it well, welcoming over 50,000 guests every year to enjoy its unspoilt beauty responsibly.

As we are privately owned with a hands-on Managing Director we are large enough to give your property the exposure it needs and yet small enough to still care. Personal service is at the heart of everything we do and the strong relationships we form with our cottage owners mean that they stay with us year after year.

Our specialist knowledge of the holiday letting market is second to none and we invest in the technology needed to help you unlock the full potential of your holiday cottage and achieve the income you are looking for.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Talk Sponsor:   VisitScotland

VisitScotland’s purpose is to grow and develop the sustainable economic benefit of tourism to Scotland’s visitor economy.  Working closely with individual businesses, public agencies, local authorities and other tourism stakeholders to help achieve this through marketing activities, Quality Assurance (grading scheme) advice, partnership initiatives and events…..to name but a few!

  • 0131 472 2112
  • info.team@visitscotland.com
  • www.visitscotland.org
  • @VisitScotNews
[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together. Since then, we’ve grown into a global community of homeowners and travellers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book cabins, condos, beach houses and every kind of space in between.

Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month. To learn more, visit www.vrbo.co.uk/lyp

Trade Supplier Plus

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Providers of specialist accounting, tax and business advice to the leisure sector, including cloud accounting, systems integration, tax compliance, tax planning – particularly CGT and IHT, profit improvement and strategic advice.

For specialist accounting, tax and business advice to Self-Catering and
Furnished Holiday Let Owners across Scotland – EQ Accountants are here to help – EQ Accountants Promotional Leaflet 

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Specialist installers of EV Charge Points, Solar PV and Battery storage for homes and businesses across Scotland. As an independent contractor established on 2014, we can offer impartial advice on products and services to reduce your carbon footprint and energy costs.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Operto Guest Technologies – the world’s leading property automation and IoT operating system for vacation rentals, hotels, and serviced apartments is revolutionising guest stays and hospitality management. Through technology that connects teams, guests, managers and smart devices; Operto addresses common friction points to provide fully seamless and personalized stays – creating greater efficiency, guest satisfaction and more revenue.

Our proprietary software platform manages all types of guest accommodation, seamlessly connecting the guest, owner/manager, and ancillary 3rd party service providers. In today’s rapidly evolving, technology-led travel and accommodation world, Operto enables truly enhances your guests’ experience, from easy, contactless check-in, all the way through check-out. By bringing together best-in-class IoT hardware solutions, and effortless software that drives a truly bespoke, memorable stay, Operto ensures that your guests have a truly memorable stay, while bringing new operational efficiencies and ROI opportunities to the owner/manager of the property.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Roomonitor is a real time noise monitoring device to prevent noise pollution, damages and neighbour complaints. The most efficient solution to control and protect your business without hassle.  Roomonitor allows you to be aware of the noise levels in your short-term rentals all day, every day.  Avoid problems with neighbours, other guests and protect your property from damage.

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

Solway Water Management are able to provide independent impartial water safety advice covering the management, control and prevention of Legionella and other waterborne pathogens surrounding holiday accommodation, hotels and hot tubs.
We can provide onsite hot tub training and a full hot tub management.

Testimonial from Iain Jardine – “Solway Water feels privileged that we are the only Water Hygiene Company supporting the ASSC and knows it will remain this way unless we leave. The guidance sheets, annual conference, webinars and newsletter gives our company huge exposure that far outweighs any overpriced online or media advertising”.

For help and guidance on bespoke hot tub and legionella management look no further – 

[siteorigin_widget class=”SiteOrigin_Widget_Image_Widget”][/siteorigin_widget]

TouchStay digital welcome books collate all the information guests need to enjoy their stay without the clutter of leaflets, print outs or binders. Easy to create and intuitive to use, tailor the design with your logo and colours, include text, photos, videos and links. Share it with guests securely from the moment they book.

The result? Guests ask fewer questions, you save precious time and your guests leave happier. The return on investing in the guest experience? More 5* reviews, recommendations to friends and repeat bookings.

Partners for Business Testimonials

“Working with the ASSC as partners for business is extremely rewarding. The ASSC are so active in the sector and have their finger on the pulse of all things self-catering – both on a national scale as well as regionally.
“The insights we receive from our connections at the ASSC are invaluable and we’ve developed a great network of industry leaders who we have met via the organisation – at the conference, regional events and Partners for Business meetings. Everyone involved with the ASSC has a great attitude too – approachable, knowledgeable, and importantly, united by a common purpose.”
Grant Seaton, Senior Business Lending Manager, Cumberland for Business

“It has been almost two years since we became Partners for Business with the ASSC. As well respected specialists in the Self Catering Insurance market we like to align our business with forward thinking and professional bodies. In a relatively short time we have developed an excellent relationship with Fiona Campbell and her superb team. As well as attending regional events and their annual conference we have been able to reach out to the membership via blogs and newsletter articles.”
“We are delighted to say that we now act as brokers for an increasing number of ASSC members and feel we have made a real difference to providing the solutions they need. In partnership with the ASSC we are really working together to ensure members are both protected and informed.”
Derek Nicol: Private Client & Hospitality Executive, Bruce Stevenson Insurance Brokers

“As SuperControl, we have signed up to the scheme. Despite our very close relationship with the ASSC it made perfect sense to formalise this as a partner. The cost was reasonable given that it already includes sponsorship of the conference as well as multiple delegate tickets. The ASSC also doesn’t intend to offer this to more than one partner in each sector so it was important to get in there at the beginning.
If you have any questions about this scheme, or the benefits that we have taken from the ASSC over the years, please get in touch.”
Robert Kennedy, SuperControl

“The ASSC has been an invaluable source of information and advice as we expand and grow in Scotland. They offer a passionate, well rounded insight into the self-catering industry that is difficult to find.”
Richard Harris, Purchasing Manager Interhome

Find out more about the Partners for Business Scheme, email: communications@assc.co.uk

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Website User Experience – Tuesday, 15th November 2022

We welcomed back our great friend and colleague Stephen Whitelaw, Managing Director, Orthic Consulting to give us inspiration and advice on Website User Experience. 

Website User Experience is a fascinating subject that combines human psychology with online marketing and website usability. Understanding why people behave as they do and what influences decisions will transform your tourism website. It will lead to higher conversion rates, greater return on investment and happier visitors.