3* / 4* / 5* Stars Rental Accommodation

[joe3576]

Hi,

I am just in the process of submitting an application to obtain a rental license for my property in Brtonigla in Istria.

Our house is very well equipped and easily meets 3* and with a quick shop 4* is also obtainable - at a push we could possibly achieve 5*.

However is it going to make much difference to the rental we will achieve if we are 3*, 4* or 5* ?

It is a very nice 3 bed apartment in the middle of the village - and we have been advised 700-750 euros per week in the peak is achievable.

Our letting agent advises against 4* and 5* as they say it brings with it a lot more complaints and people expect a lot more like daily cleaning / bedding changes every day also.

Does anyone have any experience in this field or any general advice for us.

Thanks kindly,

Joe

[Ribaric]

700 Euros a week?

Paging Mambo/Estelle/upthevilla/rijekafan to the thread. They know the scene in Istria.

[upthevilla]

obtaining 5 stars is very difficult and you would no doubt need a pool and offer extra services that you have mentioned.
4 stars is easier to get , you will need very nice furniture and the property should be in tip top condition.
as for difference in star rating and how it affects you.
once you have your star rating, you will be advised on the prices at various times of the year, this has to be, by law, but rarely checked, displayed somewhere in the property..Most people who rent charge a little more and use this only as a guidline, obviously the higher the star rating then the more that you can officially charge.
To get the catergorisation.
There are many catergorise to apply for, If you are applying for a villa then you need an internal staircase and it needs to be detached. if not then it is a house.
You will have to get a company to come and inspect the property and they will issue you with fire exstinguishers, fire blankets, medical kit and an evacuation plan, which must be displayed.
You then submit the paper work from the safety compnay to your local catagorisation office along with lots of other documents. You will need proof of ownership. Who ever submits the documents must have a medical first and submit the document. You then fill out a form and tick all the boxes that apply to you and your property, the form is only in Croatian.You then pay various taxes once all is submitted and then wait for them to come out and check. and then either issue you with it or not.
Again wait for the paper work to be returned to you, all stamped and signed and then you submit to the blue plaque company who in turn make you the plaque for your property which must be placed on the property.
To apply for the catagorisation you must either have a croatian company or be Croatian. You cannot apply for the catagorisation if you have bought the property as a private foreign citizen .
You will also need a Croatian citizen to apply for you. You will give them power of attorney for this purpose, again this is produced with all your paper work.
I hope thats kinda clear.....
If you have any question just let me know

[joe3576]

Thanks kindly for this - it is very helpful.

The property in question is an old three storey stone house in the centre of the village which we have refurbished extensively - we have a copy of the list of items that must be provided and we appear to have everything for 4*.

However our letting agent is pushing us to go for 3* as they say it is easier and less hassle and with 4* we have to change the bedding every day - is tht true ?

We also have wooden shutters on every single window in the house - but the agent thinks we need curtains in the 3 bedroom windows as well - do you think this is true ?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Joe

[upthevilla]

I am inclined to agree with your renting agency, the most important thing is to get catagorisation, 3 stars is perfectly adequate, and less problematic.As long as you get the infamous blue plaque on your wall and you can legally sign tourists in ,thats the main objective.
curtains bedroom yes, although it is sometimes overlooked by the inspectors and it varies on if they having a good day or not, for the sake of putting them up, do it