London homeowners can recover the additional costs of their holiday COVID tests by renting out their homes while away.
Many families in the UK have to plan carefully which countries they will be able to visit for their summer holidays. They also have to calculate the significant amount they will have to pay for the COVID tests they’ll have to buy to go abroad. One company suggests that a good way to offset the extra cost is for families to consider renting out their own homes while away.
UnderTheDoormat, which has a portfolio of London-based homes available to rent on a short-term basis, can offer homeowners a practical solution to the unwelcome additional costs of COVID tests, which could put people off going on holiday altogether.
Summary of PCR test costs
The potential costs people will have to incur to travel to most countries on the ‘Green’ and ‘Amber’ lists from the UK this summer are:
- PCR test prior to leaving the UK = £109/per person
- Antigen test prior to returning to the UK = £59/per person
- Day 2 and Day 8 PCR tests to be taken following return to UK = £189/person
OR
- Test to Release Day 5 Swab Test following return to UK = £109/person
Source: www.privatecoronavirustests.com/
So, for a family of four – 2 adults and 2 children over the age of 11 (under 11s don’t need to be tested) – that adds up to a massive £1,108 or £1,428 (depending on which test(s) they opt for on their return to the UK)!
London homeowners can earn around £1,500 while away
However, a family could recoup these costs and even earn additional income by short letting their home. On average, London homeowners could earn £1,500 while they are away for a two-week holiday (based on a 3 or 4-bedroomed house).
UnderTheDoormat CEO, Merilee Karr, explains, “For many families, the additional costs of having to fund the required COVID tests could prove too expensive to make a holiday abroad viable. But, with the help of expert and professional property management companies like UnderTheDoormat, families can offset the costs of the tests by renting out their own homes to visitors. We take care of the bookings, the payments, the management of the guests and the insurance so that families can leave safe, knowing that their home will be cared for while they enjoy their well-earned break.
“With COVID testing expected to continue for most traditional holiday destinations for the foreseeable future, more people may decide that they are happy to pay for the tests if they can recoup that by renting out their own home while they are away. For some people, it might be the first time they have thought about renting out their own home, but it could well be something that they decide to do every time they go on holiday!”
Red, amber and green list rules for entering England
Please make sure you keep up-to-date on Government guidelines to keep up-to-date on which countries are on the red, amber, and green lists for travel.
Stay up-to-date
Countries and territories can be moved between lists if conditions change. Sign up for an email alert to be notified when the official page is updated.
What you must do when you arrive in England from abroad depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive.
This page lists countries and territories as red, amber, or green and tells you what you must do if you have been in those countries or territories.
Following the move of Portugal from green to amber. Timothy Davis, Co-Founder and CEO of BNPL travel agent Butter, comments:
“The announcement of the green list provided a very slight glimpse of hope for an otherwise hard-trodden travel industry that some form of normality might be on the cards for this summer.
However, yet another u-turn by the government will only add to the uncertainty and angst of holidaymakers and providers alike and will no doubt deter many from even contemplating a trip abroad this summer.”
If you are considering taking a staycation this year. Sub-letting your home may be a way of making money while you holiday! If you live by the coast, the demand for homes is even higher.
