High season on the Costa del Sol: how to prepare your property for July and August

July and August bring the highest occupancy of the year and also the most wear and tear. With arrivals and departures almost back to back, a breakdown that would be a minor story in March becomes a negative review and lost nights. The difference between a calm summer and one full of emergencies is decided before the first guest arrives.

Air conditioning: the critical point of the summer

Air conditioning is by far the most common source of incidents at this time of year. A prior service, including filter cleaning and a check of the drains and the gas charge, prevents most failures. It is also worth leaving clear instructions for guests and having a technician lined up who is genuinely available in August, when demand for repairs soars along the whole coast.

Pool and outdoor areas

With more swimmers and more heat, the water needs checking more often than usual. Outdoor areas are also the first thing guests photograph and the first thing they mention in a review.

• Check the pump, filter and chemical levels before the season starts.
• Increase maintenance frequency during the busiest weeks.
• Inspect awnings, parasols, outdoor furniture and the barbecue.
• Test the automatic irrigation so the garden does not depend on anyone.

"In high season there is no room to improvise: whatever was not checked in June breaks down in August, with the house occupied."

Changeovers with no margin for error

When one guest leaves at 11:00 and the next arrives at 16:00, cleaning and inspection have to run like clockwork. That requires a coordinated team, at least three sets of linen per bed and a checklist repeated after every departure: damage, forgotten items, consumables and working appliances.

A small store cupboard that prevents big problems

Light bulbs, batteries for the remote controls, spare kitchenware, an extra fan and a duplicate set of keys take up very little space and solve in minutes situations that would otherwise mean hunting for an open shop on an August Sunday.

How we approach it at Vellum Costa

Before every summer we carry out a full inspection of the property, send you a report with photographs and consult you on any expense before it is incurred. During the season, our trusted suppliers handle incidents as a priority so that your calendar does not lose a single night.