Are you looking for ways to turn your holiday home into cash making machine during these tough times, or simply your property has been sitting in the market for way to long and you looking for ways it can maintain its self financially without you breaking the bank. Then converting your property to a bed and breakfast or guest house (Airbnb) is the perfect solution.
Operating a guest house or bed and breakfast is not as easy as putting up signs or posting on social media that you are open for business. There are a few requirements that are to be met before you can start operating, some can get a bit confusing but our company is always here to help you every step of the way and take all the stress away as it can be a lengthy process if not done correctly.
Before listing the requirements let’s have a look at what actually is a Bed and Breakfast (B&B)/ Guesthouse.
- In South Africa, a guest house or B&B by definition is a commercial accommodation establishment for the general public operated from a single private dwelling house.
- The establishment is managed by a resident owner, manager or resident holding a lease agreement.
- A B&B must provide sleeping and breakfast facilities.
- According to the South African Tourism Grading Course (TGCSA), A B&B must include a breakfast charge on the room rate. Guest House can be self-catering.
- Bathrooms facilities are or to be en-suite, if not exclusive use of bathroom facilities per room is mandatory.
- In most of South African municipalities and towns, a B&B must have up to 3 rooms. From 4 rooms up to 12 rooms it will regarded as a guest house.
The requirements of a B&B and Guest House do vary depending in the town or municipal district you are in, so it is advised that you download LUMS Scheme from your municipalities’ website as it is available.
Typically the particular requirements are;
- 1 Parking bay per guest room and
- 2 Parking bay for the owner/ occupier
- 1 Parking per for every two conference centre seats and provision for bus and /or minibus parking may be required at the discretion of the municipality.
- The maximum number of rooms shall be determined by the available lot area and the applicable planning scheme controls.
- The National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act, 1977(Act No. 103 of 1977) where all buildings constructed on the premises must comply with this Act and its regulations.
- The Council of the local municipality applicable town planning Scheme with specific reference to height, coverage and zoning prescribed by a town planning Scheme applicable to the area where the property is located and with council’s outdoor advertising ByLaws concerning signage.
Licensing is required to legally operate a B&B and Guest House in South Africa
- If you would like to operate a guest house or B&B, you must apply for your municipality’s consent.
- When the council of the local municipality receives an application for such special consent and, before deciding whether or not to approve the application, the council
(a) may request the applicant to provide any further information which the council considers relevant to enable it to make an informed decision;
(b) Will take into consideration
(i) The scale and size of the proposed establishment about the character of the area
(ii) Whether the premises are suitable for the proposed use
(iii) Whether there are sufficient on-site parking facilities for motor vehicles and (iv) any other matter which would, in its opinion, interfere with the amenities and character of the neighbourhood and
(c) Must ensure that the relevant premises are inspected by authorized officials as soon as reasonably possible.
By; Yenzokuhle Town Planning & Development Consultants Pty (Ltd)