Renting Your Cottage? Read This First

Homeseeker Vacation Homes

June 30, 2025

If you’ve ever tried renting out your cottage on Kahshe or Bass Lake, you already know it’s not as easy as listing it and watching the income roll in.

Renting your cottage can seem like the smart move… until you're the one:

Texting with guests at midnight about the wifi
Calling around for a cleaner who won’t ghost
Wondering if you're even allowed to short-term rent legally
Arguing with family about who gets what weekends
You’re left wondering, “Is this even worth the effort?”

We hear this all the time — and we manage rentals for several owners right here on the lake, whether you rent a few weeks in the summer or year round.

Here are the Seven Most Common Issues We See (and Fix):

1. “I don’t want to deal with randoms staying in my place.”

We get it. Your cottage is personal. That’s why we screen every guest with ID checks, booking history, and custom filters — and monitor noise and occupancy so your neighbors never complain.

2. “Our cleaner keeps canceling at the last minute.”

You’re not running a hotel. But guests expect one. We use a trained, local turnover team with documented cleaning checklists and photo verification — so no guest ever walks into a mess (or a missed clean).

3. “I have no idea what to charge — or when to lower/increase rates.”

Static pricing = lost income. We use live market data and dynamic pricing tools to adjust nightly rates in real time, factoring in weather, holidays, and local events. This adds up to 30–50 percent more income over the season.

4. “I’m not sure we’re even allowed to rent it out.”

New STR bylaws for Muskoka Lakes take effect January 2026 — and the penalties aren’t light.
We stay ahead of the regulations and handle the setup for you, ensuring your cottage is fully compliant, licensed, and protected from costly fines or shutdowns.

5. “I just don’t have time to manage bookings, messages, and maintenance.”

Our clients spend less than one hour per month on their rentals. We take care of everything — guest messaging, calendar syncing, repairs, restocking, and more. You keep the keys. We handle the chaos.

6. “I still want to use the cottage myself sometimes.”

Absolutely. You decide how often you want to rent — we’ll work around your schedule. Some of our Kahshe and Bass Lake owners rent only during the summer months, while others rent year-round to maximize income. Either way, most cover their taxes, upkeep, and still earn extra on top.

7. “What if it’s not worth it?”

We don’t lock you into contracts. If it doesn’t perform, you walk away.
Simple. But most owners stay — because we consistently deliver five-star reviews, increase revenue, and reduce stress.

Who We Are

We’re Homeseeker Vacation Homes — a cottage rental management company focused on luxury, waterfront, and unique cottages like yours.