The importance of keeping a complete, catalogued, inventory listing of all of the items (including appliances, equipment, furniture, soft furnishings, cutlery, and linens) at your home cannot be overstated. All items in all areas, such as garages, storage gazebos, and should be included. This is very important when requesting insurance coverage and having the necessary documentation should an insurance claim need to be made.
How our team can help you
For Blue Sky Luxury holiday rental properties, your property manager will count, inventory, and log all of the property’s effects and complete a thorough check of the quantity and condition of the items. Your property manager will be required to conduct spot checks after each guest departure and will notify you of any proven damages or losses. Any replacements needed at that time will be purchased. These replacements and any other additions that may occur during the year will then be on the annual inventory listing when retaken.
For homes that rent long-term, full inventories are always taken and updated in between tenancies. In both cases, your property manager will be responsible for checking the home after each departure so that the reconciliation of the security deposit can be completed, with wear and tear expected depending on the length of time the tenants resided there. Similarly, any replacements and additions will be captured on the updated listing for the next expected tenant.
When offering your home for holiday rental, it is important to know and provide adequate par levels for all glassware, cutlery, dinnerware, linen, and towels. For example, you want to ensure that the home has place settings, matching glassware, and cutlery for the advertised number of guests that can be accommodated at the property plus 50%. For example, for a 4-bedroom rental property that accommodates 8 guests, the catered capacity will be 12 people.
Similarly, when a property is offered for long-term rental, adequate rent levels, while different from the expectations of a holiday rental home, are also expected.
When the inventory listing is created, the location, make, and model of all appliances and equipment are noted. During this process, it is a great opportunity to create an asset register for these items. The asset register will have all of the above details and photos, plus the serial numbers. Information, where available, on the age and value of each will be recorded.
Many services are offered during the onboarding of new homes to Blue Sky Luxury; however, if you are interested in any of these services as a one-time, separate service, please contact us for a quote.
Written By: Peter Layne, Blue Sky Luxury Property Management Residential Team Leader
Stay in touch, we love to hear from you!
Direct Barbados: 1.246.622.4466
Freephone UK: 0800 0885574
Toll Free US/CND: 1 866 404 9600
Email: experts@blueskyluxury.com
Go back to our website
So you have finally decided that it is time for a vacation. Where will you go? What can you do? There are endless possibilities! You know you want to go to the Caribbean, maybe to Barbados, but which island is the best? You know that Barbados is in Jamaica – hold on, now wait a minute, this is where Blue Sky Luxury, The Holiday Home Experts, comes in. Barbados is not in Jamaica. Trust us. Furthermore, you will not want to consider any other Caribbean vacation. We have all the information needed to plan the perfect Barbados vacation. We will go a step further to provide information on anything you may want to know about Barbados vacation rentals. We’re funny, knowledgeable, and, dare I say – the best in the business.
Blue Sky Luxury – Who we are
A picture is worth a thousand words, so we figure a video must be worth 2,000 words (like this blog.) Watch our video below for a quick overview of all of the services that Blue Sky Luxury provides. In a nutshell, we are a full-service holiday rental company with service lines of Reservations, Property Management and Concierge Services.
We have been in the business for over forty years and we are a giant in the region. What makes us special? We take a human approach to anyone that we come into contact with, we greet everyone as friends, and we guarantee that you will leave as family and we’re particularly proud that we can offer anyone a vacation rental to suit their needs. The crown in our jewel. I mean the jewel in our crown…just making sure you’re paying attention, is our Elite Collection. I’m getting ahead here a bit. Watch our video and we’ll talk more about The Elite Collection, luxury your way and how you can enjoy an authentic local experience at any of our 150+ best-in-class villas.
So now that you are caught up on what we do follow us on social. We are wherever you are. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter. Charlene is our Social Media Coordinator. I told her you were coming. She’s watching and waiting.
Barbados – an island not in Jamaica
Our Reservations department is a wellspring of knowledge. Many of our agents have been with the team for over 10- 20 years. We are appreciative that we have a collective data pool of over 50 years of experience. What sets us apart, is that Blue Sky Luxury is the chart holder for most of the villas in our holiday rentals portfolio. This means that wherever you book, our team has final approval so pro tip – Book Direct with Blue Sky Luxury.
Don’t tell anyone we said this, but hotels are so 2019. We will compare villas vs hotels as we aren’t biased. We love hotels as well… just villas more. With the emergence of the pandemic, villa stays have become in high demand due to their ability to provide privacy, flexibility, and a more bespoke holiday experience. When you are looking to book (direct) we have segmented villa holidays so that our guests can choose from:
- Flagship villas – An elite collection of five-star celebrity-style villas in breathtaking locations with a discreet complement of expert staff.
- Luxury villas – The finest collection of luxury villas with fabulous reviews, stunning locations, and expert staffing options.
- Classic villas – A selection of inland and beachfront villas for the contemporary or lassie-fair traveller.
Your destination is important but the villa selection is equally so, and our villas rival many international villas. We make it easy for you to find a villa vacation that fits your style. Our website blueskyluxury.com has a comprehensive page on Barbados information. Dive right in but come back to my blog soon, I have at least 3,000 more words to go.
Concierge will have you living Like a celebrity!
Have you ever used concierge services? Concierge is like having an elegant assistant at your fingertips. They make vacation planning easy and effortless. From Fast Track (you need this) to car rentals and pre-stocking this team is friendly, bubbly and they go the extra mile. Additionally, this team also handles guest relations and will check on you during your stay to ensure that your holiday is going the way you planned!
Property Management Services at Blue Sky Luxury
Let’s say, you decide to visit Barbados. You fall in love with the island, the people, the culture (and making money,) so you decide to purchase a villa. The Property Management department is the team that works behind the scenes to ensure that all villas are safe and well-kept. They have exceptionally high standards for safety and cleanliness and are on call 24-hrs to make this happen.
If there is a problem at your villa, a Property Manager will be on hand to ensure that it is sorted soonest. During adverse weather, you are never left alone. Our Property Managers ensure that your villa is safeguarded, contact numbers for them and emergency services are at hand and that you are comfortable. We like to think of them as our superheroes.
It’s quite possible that we are well over 3,000 words but I hope that this blog on Barbados vacation rentals has been useful or at the very least entertaining. I’ve included some FAQs relating to this blog. Happy vacationing, choose Blue Sky Luxury and choose Barbados.
Barbados Vacation Rentals FAQs
Q: How can travel to Barbados?
A: Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada, British Airways, Jet Blue, West Jet, Caribbean Airlines, and more all fly to the island.
Q: Where is Barbados if you allege it is not in Jamaica
A: Barbados is just off the island chain, out of the main hurricane belt in the Caribbean. Our closest neighbours are the islands of St. Vincent and St. Lucia
Q: Can I fly to Barbados by private jet?
A: Absolutely! M Jet is one of Barbados’ Premier Fixed Based Operators with a private ramp and hangar.
Q: Can I sail to Barbados?
A: Sure bet! Leave your Blue Sky Luxury villa and island-hop to the Grenadines
Q: Do I have to book with an international tour operator or agent?
A: No you do not. All vacation bookings come through Blue Sky Luxury so make your life easier by booking with us
Q: How do I know which Barbados villa to choose?
A: The team at Blue Sky Luxury is available by email, and website chat. Ask us how we can help you find the perfect villa
Q: I want to purchase a luxury villa in Barbados. Can Blue Sky Luxury help?
A: Our sister company Terra Luxury offers luxury villas for sale and many of our new owners engage us for Property Management services
Q: Can I contact Concierge even if I am not staying at a Blue Sky Luxury villa?
A: We love to help everyone! We won’t tell if you won’t but please do.
Q: What else does Property Management do other than Property Management?
A: I’ve seen them arrange flowers, decorate an entire villa (see Bora Bora by Zoe), and line dance but they also excel at small project management, villa staffing, Human Resources, and trust accounting just to name a few.
Q: Villa Guru, you are so wise and such a gifted writer, how do I contact you for more details on Barbados or vacation rentals information?
A: Stop it, you’re flattering me. Flatter me some more at experts@blueskyluxury.com
Until my next blog Friends….
From the desk of the
Villa Guru
Stay in touch, we love to hear from you!
Direct Barbados: 1.246.622.4466
Freephone UK: 0800 0885574
Toll Free US/CND: 1 866 404 9600
Email: experts@blueskyluxury.com
Go back to our website
Find a villa here
After buying a property in Barbados, experience shows that our owners either maintain their properties for personal use, rent as a short-term holiday let, or rent for maximum return. The Property Management team at Blue Sky Luxury focuses on maintaining and enhancing value and ensuring that our clients feel comfortable and confident to make informed decisions on their property investment.
For additional information on “How You Can Set Up Your Property as a Short-Term Rental,” click here.
Blue Sky Luxury exists to protect the interest of and fulfill the objectives of each property owner. To this end, we first take the time to understand the motivation of each owner before outlining the plan of action to achieve their goals. For some owners, these goals only relate to their enjoyment of the property. Others may focus on earning sustained revenue. We thrive in either situation. These areas are where our comprehensive range of services put Blue Sky Luxury in a class of its own, far outstripping our competitors.
Homeownership for New Owners
Why Choose Us to Manage Your Barbados Property?
Owning a home requires significant investment and attention to detail. Our team understands the effects of the climate in Barbados and has strong relationships with local suppliers to ensure that we are as efficient as possible. We also have the largest Property Management team on the island, making our reach and competency even wider. Our Property Management services extend beyond property management. Our services cover administration, account management, and reporting, human resources provisioning and management, and villa insurance. Being on the ground in Barbados is a distinct advantage.
Why choose us? Read our top 5 reasons why we are the best option as a vacation rental management company:
- The Blue Standard – The Blue Standard is our established blueprint to ensure that our Property Managers know the properties intimately, much to the benefit of our partners, the property owners, and guests alike. We employ strict methods of guaranteeing that all properties under our care are maintained to the highest standard.
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- Health & Safety checklists (Covering local and international regulations)
- Cleanliness & Maintenance (300-point checklist including preventative maintenance schedules and hurricane checklists)
- True representation of properties in marketing materials for all rental properties
- Established and delivered Service Standards and training including utilising our property management software solution for work orders, maintenance schedules, and monitoring of contractors
Keeping you informed – We enlist one dedicated Property Manager to service each property. We also have dedicated coverage when a team member is on vacation. Your property is never without management. We are very innovative and use a mobile work order app to track maintenance activity. We also provide easy access to monthly statements with electronic billing records.
To read more on Things You Don’t Think About as a Home Owner, Click here.
A Knowledgeable Team – With over 40 years (previously under the Bajan Services Ltd. Brand), we offer a trained team of 18+ Property Managers in 2 locations on the South and West Coasts of Barbados. Our team is strongly supported by our Human Resources and Payroll department which takes responsibility for the staff at various managed properties as well as our temporary staff. Our Accounts team ensures that each of our client’s specific required financial requirements is met.
Trust Accounting – We have dedicated support services for staff and payroll management. We separate our owner and operating funds entirely and provide secure accounts for foreign currency holdings. Our accounts are verified and tested annually by an external audit firm.
Smart Staffing – We provide vetted temporary staffing services for chefs, butlers, housekeepers, and other services. All new staff is trained to high standards including all-new safety protocols.
Administration and Account Management
The concept of trust accounting is ingrained in our firm. Our auditors carry out specific authentication each year to verify the integrity of our separation of funds. We focus on protecting our owners’ foreign exchange risk and protecting our client’s funds to reduce the risk of issues of repatriation. We also understand that you own your property to enjoy it, we help take care of the administration as well, including coordination with external accountants for Annual Income Tax Filing and Registration with TAMIS for the Barbados Revenue Authority as needed. If you are interested in any of the above services, contact us, we would be happy to discuss further to get additional details to provide you with a free quotation for your Barbados property. On the handover of your property, we will work with you to establish a regular reporting schedule.
Routine, Preventative Maintenance & Safety Checks
Routine Maintenance
A Blue Sky Luxury Property Manager will be assigned to provide oversight of the management of the property and perform a comprehensive check of your property on a scheduled weekly basis. As a part of these routine checks, we ensure that the property is aired, plumbing, lighting and all electrical items are checked, and cleaned thoroughly. Additionally, we ensure that any small items requiring attention are efficiently taken care of before they become a larger problem.
Click here to learn more about “How to Manage Your Small Projects.”
Preventative Maintenance
Through our specialised property management software, all maintenance is scheduled and checked, and the system is augmented with the use of digital photography, checklists and the development of standard operating procedures for each property. We will ensure all preventative maintenance schedules, routine inspections, repairs requests and service requests are logged to track and record the resolution of reactive maintenance issues from submission, assignment, monitoring, verification, and through to completion. The assigned Property Manager will also complete certain checklists regularly through our mobile app. This specific technology is part of a full system that allows for all of our resources to be coordinated online.
Whether it is the monitoring of sub-contractors, following work orders or accounting, our entire system is available for remote operation and monitoring. With the recent restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, our investments in technology became even more valuable to our clients. We are able to provide our full suite of services virtually without any disruption.
If having a long-term tenant is something you’re also interested in, click here to learn more.
Safety Checks
Blue Sky Luxury maintains a 24/7/365 Hotline service to answer any emergency calls.
Provision of Market Value Reports
With the real estate market in constant flux, Owners need to have a sense of the value of their investment and how this may change over time. Through our Valuations team, reports can be prepared once every 3 years and can be used for various purposes. These reports can be used for tax objections, insurance, or the current assessment of market value. Market Value Reports contain:
- Full inspection in Year 1 (includes measurements and photos)
- Update inspection every 3 years to take new photos
- Submission of property tax objection and insurance as required
Staff Management, Payroll & HR Support
Blue Sky Luxury manages the payroll for permanent villa staff and the setup for owners in the BRA Tax Administration Management Information System (TAMIS.) This service covers all required owner-employer obligations (NIS and PAYE.) Our administration services also include issuing pay slips to staff weekly. Additionally, we ensure that permanent villa staff have up-to-date employment contracts with applicable job descriptions that align with the labour laws of Barbados. Training for permanent staff is provided by participating in The Blue Standard and COVID-19 service training. We also have a team of temporary staff whose services are available on an as-needed basis.
Inventory Management & Auditing Control
The Property Management team at Blue Sky Luxury ensures that there are methods of control put in place to safeguard and account for our owner’s possessions. Your home should have a full, comprehensive catalogued inventory (with photos) and our team will ensure that this is done upon taking over the management.
- Your Blue Sky Luxury Property Manager will complete a full inventory of the contents of your property. This will also assist in ensuring your content insurance is adequate.
- Digital photographs of the items in the inventory will also be taken, giving you a catalogue of the contents at your property. This will include photos of furniture, art and decor and sample patterns (if applicable) of the cutlery and/or linens.
Concierge for Owners
We understand that our owners would appreciate specific Concierge services that make their lives more enjoyable while they are on the island. Our Lifestyle Concierge usually arranges all of our owner’s requests. We are here to make it easy so you can live the life that you deserve.
Our Barbados concierge team can arrange:
- luxury, economy and family car rentals
- the ordering and delivery of flowers, gift baskets, groceries, wines etc.
- Airport Transfers
- Fast Track through Barbados Immigration
- Dinner reservations at the finest restaurants
- Spa treatments – both at your private villa and offsite
- sailing, boating trips, or island-hopping escapes
- deliveries of ready-made meals and/or desserts for arrival or while on the island
- In-villa COVID-19 testing as needed
Work with a trusted Property Management group
Blue Sky Luxury was formerly known as Bajan Services Limited, and has been managing vacation villas and holiday homes in Barbados and the Caribbean for almost 40 years. Our holiday rentals company is the most recognised and trusted brand name in villa management and rental marketing in Barbados, with the largest portfolio of properties on the island and a franchise in St. Lucia.
The Property Management team at Blue Sky Luxury is dedicated to providing homeowners with the best possible home ownership experience whether as a private home or villa rental. We are proud to be a full-service company with experts in the Reservations and Concierge teams. Watch our video below to learn more about our full range of vacation rental services at Blue Sky Luxury – The Holiday Home Experts.
Blue Sky Luxury has the benefit of long-standing and trusted affiliations with our sister companies Terra Caribbean and Terra Luxury. With a history in real estate dating back to the 1950s, Terra Caribbean has three regional franchises in Grenada, Trinidad and St. Lucia. The company was founded on a passion for real estate knowledge. Our sister company Terra Luxury partnering with leading global property firm Knight Frank strengthens Terra Luxury’s international reach, reinforcing the exclusivity of our clients’ luxury properties and extending our services to discerning clients worldwide.
Stay in touch, we love to hear from you!
Direct Barbados: 1.246.622.4466
Freephone UK: 0800 0885574
Toll Free US/CND: 1 866 404 9600
Email: experts@blueskyluxury.com
Go back to our website
Find a villa here
What is Concierge All About? – About Us
At Blue Sky Luxury we guarantee a convenient, premium Concierge service that saves you time, affords you the finest quality and ensures optimum value for your money. Our team is knowledgeable and experienced and is committed to serving your needs. We ensure that you feel welcome and that you transition smoothly into your vacation home
What We Do Best
We are your holiday experts, who ensure that you have the best experience away from home. We take time to create unique, authentic local experiences to make your holiday special. As Concierge, we arrange your transfer, tours and excursions, restaurant dining and more.
Preplanning and Benefits
Preplanning with your Concierge helps you to free up precious time as your vacation Is only for a short while. It will enable you to experience the things you love as opposed to spending endless hours researching, sourcing and booking tours and restaurants etc. The main benefit of pre-planning your trip is the retainment of the most precious yet priceless commodity – your time.
Summer Travel – Sporting, Events, Festivals and Restaurants
Barbados is a very festive and active island. There is much to do and see!
From Oistins in the south to Speightstown in the north, there are an array of restaurants at which you can enjoy the finest local cuisine. Our beaches are ever-inviting and our watersports enthusiasts can experience jet ski rides, paddle boarding, kayaking, swimming with the turtles and so much more. Our Crop Over season is the sweetest summer festival in the world and Oistins fish festival is one of the best authentic local experiences in which you can participate. Speak to your concierge to ensure some of these activities are in your itinerary!
Services Awareness
There are several services that our Concierge team offers. From arrival, we offer fast track and transfer services, pre-stocking of groceries and beverages, and arrival meals. Some may prefer to drive themselves, then we can arrange your own rental.
Adventurous? We’ve got you covered! Your concierge can book and advise on the best places to go and the newest attractions in town! If it’s your first time on an island, then we can arrange for you to see our beautiful island from the coasts via a cruise or even a horseback ride. In fact, you can even experience our crystal clear waters via a jetski or hobby cat or regular diving session with one of our trusted partners.
Maybe you prefer to be indoors, then allow us to bring our culture to you via an entertainment night or private in-villa massages.
In the event of an adverse situation, your friendly concierge is on deck to assist in getting you efficient medical care.
As the windows draw on your vacation, the Concierge team offers departure transfer and expedited check-in via our reliable partners.
Conclusion
A Concierge service may not be for everyone but we highly recommend it. At Blue Sky Luxury, we can help you with every leisure need that you do not have time or expertise to do on your own. Let us help transform your vacation from good to amazing; Concierge can!
Stay in touch, we love to hear from you!
Direct Barbados: 1.246.622.4466
Freephone UK: 0800 0885574
Toll Free US/CND: 1 866 404 9600
Email: experts@blueskyluxury.com
Go back to our website
Find a villa here