With the average occupancy rate for holiday homes in Europe 18 weeks per year, and the average rental rate per week around £600, owners of holiday homes can potentially achieve average annual returns of around £10,000.

As British tourists increasingly look for great value, quality accommodation online, the idea of renting a private holiday home direct from the owner is becoming a mainstream travel option for many. Stats from industry analyst Mintel show that self-catering holidays are growing at a faster rate than overseas holidays in general and that nearly a quarter of all overseas holidays are now taken in private holiday homes.

This is indeed great news for holiday home owners who are looking to cover some of their borrowing and maintenance costs with rental income, or indeed, simply generate a valuable second income.