Putting Your Property Up for Short-Term Rental: A Guide for Owners

In a context where short-term rentals are experiencing remarkable growth, more and more owners want to put their property up for rent in tourist resorts like Les Menuires. Whether you are already a landlord or considering renting your property for the first time, this short-term rental guide will walk you through the process, in collaboration with a specialized local agency.

Why Choose Short-Term Rental?

Financial Advantages

Short-term rentals offer higher rental yields compared to long-term leases, especially in high-demand tourist areas like ski resorts. Renting your property during the winter or summer holidays provides an opportunity to generate significant additional income while retaining personal use of the accommodation off-season.

Flexibility Appreciated by Owners

Putting your property up for rent seasonally means you remain in control of the availability calendar. You decide when the property is free for your own use and when it is available for online booking by vacationers.

High Demand in Tourist Areas

In destinations like Les Menuires, seasonal rentals are highly sought after in both winter and summer. Offering a well-located, well-equipped holiday rental managed efficiently helps ensure a high occupancy rate.

Steps to Put Your Property Up for Short-Term Rental Through a Local Agency

Preparing the Accommodation (furnishing, decoration, equipment)

Before putting your property up for rent, the property must be fully furnished and decorated to meet vacationers’ expectations:

• Quality bedding, sufficient storage
• Modern amenities (Wi-Fi, TV, appliances)
• Complete set of dishes and kitchen utensils
• Warm, mountain-style decor appreciated by guests

The goal is to provide a smooth customer experience that matches the photos on the listing.

Determining the Right Rental Price with the Agency

The local agency knows the tourist market well. They estimate the weekly price based on the season, location, amenities, and competition. This price optimization maximizes the profitability of your short-term rental.

The Agency Writes an Attractive and Optimized Listing

A successful property listing relies on:

• Professional photos
• Precise and engaging description
• Catchy headlines
• Keywords for SEO

The agency ensures your listing grabs attention while accurately representing your property.

Choosing the Right Listing Platforms with Your Agency

Rental platforms play a key role in your property’s visibility. The agency will select the most relevant ones based on your target audience.

Photo d’ordinateur avec des logos de plateformes de réservations

Legal and Tax Obligations for Owners

Declaration at the Town Hall and Local Regulations

Before renting their property, the landlord must declare the furnished tourist rental to the town hall (Cerfa form no. 14004*04). In Les Menuires, regulations vary by municipality and may include a tourist tax collected by the agency.

Taxation Applicable to Short-Term Rentals

Rental income is taxed under the BIC category (industrial and commercial profits). Two regimes exist:

• Micro-BIC: 50% allowance, simple but less optimized
• Real regime: allows deduction of expenses, depreciation of furniture, and reduces rental tax

Your agency will guide you based on your income and situation.

Rental Contract and Security Deposit Fully Managed by the Agency

The agency drafts a rental contract compliant with the law and handles:

• Security deposit
• Inventory check
• Cancellation terms

This frees you from all administrative constraints and ensures property management is fully handled.

Key Steps the Agency Takes to Efficiently Manage Your Rental (Gestion locative)

Welcoming Tenants and Managing Keys

The local agency handles personalized guest check-in, key handover, and provides essential information about access, rules, and local activities.

Cleaning and Maintenance Between Stays

Each checkout is followed by professional cleaning and property inspection. This ensures consistent quality and positive guest reviews.

Managing Reviews and Customer Relations

The agency responds to messages and reviews and collects user feedback. Proactive management improves your listing’s online ranking.

Using Only a Concierge Service Instead of a Real Estate Agency: Good or Bad Idea?

Conciergeries offer an alternative to agencies, but beware:

✅ Advantages:

• Sometimes more flexible pricing
• À la carte services

❌ Disadvantages:

• No fiscal or legal support
• Fewer professional guarantees
• No centralized real estate visibility

👉 In summary: Full property management by a local agency remains the safest solution for profitable, stress-free short-term rentals.

Conclusion

Succeeding at Short-Term Rental: An Opportunity to Seize

Putting your property up for vacation rental is more than just extra income — it’s a strategic real estate investment, especially in dynamic ski resorts like Les Menuires or Saint Martin de Belleville. Properly managed, this type of short-term rental offers profitability, flexibility, asset value enhancement, and peace of mind.

Request a Free Property Valuation at Agence des Alpes

Our local agency, specialist in seasonal rental management (gestion locative saisonnière), supports you from A to Z:

• Free property valuation
• Rental profitability analysis
• Listing optimization
• Multi-platform distribution (with numerous partners)
• Administrative and on-site management

👉 Contact us for a no-obligation first appointment. Take advantage of the short-term rental potential in the 3 Valleys this season!

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Short-Term Rental

Is it legal to rent my apartment as a short-term rental?
Yes, provided you declare your property at the town hall and comply with local furnished tourist rental regulations.

Which site is best for publishing a listing?
Airbnb and Booking offer the best visibility, but your local agency will choose the platforms best suited to your property.

Do I have to declare my short-term rental income?
Yes. Rental income is taxed under the BIC regime. Your agency can advise on the best fiscal options.

Can I rent my property short-term all year round?
This depends on the local tourism calendar and municipal regulations. In Les Menuires, winter and summer are the busiest periods.

Charly.G