As a small child, my parents rented on the lake in front of what is now Suissvale. I learned from my parents who cleaned the entire cottage before we left. My parents had friends who owned a small cottage there and we all had a wonderful time. When I married I rented the same cottage and then a different one in the same area for many years. Again, I would clean the entire cottage to leave it spotless and ALSO rake the beach.
They did have checkers etc (I recommend Catch Phrase!) Also playing cards. We always brought our own floatation devices though they did leave a row boat. I guess I would have them rent any floatation device if they wanted one and you are not on the lake anyway. Good mattresses ( they don't have to be expensive) would be great, but make sure there is some sort of a protective liner I would think. It was never an issue when I rented. Have a crib that is new and maybe not the drop down side type. I agree that cable and internet are necessary though they were not necessary way back in the dark ages when I was renting. I have both now though.
I think making a number of people who can stay is a good idea though a kid can have a friend with a sleeping bag pretty easily. What you may not want is a family moving in for the week and then having two families with the rental family so some restrictions have to be made if the cottage is large. The ones I rented were three bedrooms and one was small so that was self limiting in itself. Are there other neighbors around who would rent as that would be ideal if friends could suggest a place to their friends. I never had a family stay overnight when I rented, but did have a gal with two kids come once when our husbands were working. They stayed overnight for three nights. My dad often came and was a huge help. I would not buy expensive furniture but would get sturdy things. In all the years, the only thing that happened was a small rowboat went missing. Don't ask me how? It was gone one morning. The owner said to forget it. It was always a wonderful experience for both the owner and for us.
A screened porch is wonderful for both owner and renter. If it is large enough it can be used for eating in good weather. It might have a day bed that could be used for seating during the day and sleeping as needed? A grill has been mentioned over and over. You definitely need rules for use of anything such as the toilets if you have a septic etc. Make sure there are a couple of fire extinguishers. Have a list of emergency numbers on a wall beside the telephone.
All of the above said, I have a simple home on the water now, and when I am not there have not rented it. I might at some point. Now would be ideal as the carpet is old and the mattresses are old as well. However I USE IT! I LOVE THE LAKE.
Screening and REFERENCES WOULD BE GREAT. Meet the people if possible and set rules that are fair and the ones that you follow when you are in the cottage. One cottage we rented had a bedroom with two sets of bunks. The other bedrooms had a larger sized bed and a single bed in the same room. Older couples sometimes do not share a room or a bed. Young children can all bunk in together if they are about 6 and up. The most important thing is to have references and hopefully people who have rented at the lake before. If you are building, maybe build a garage where you can store things of your own when you are not there. Is there a service or do you have a friend or neighbor who could stop by a couple of times a week to make sure all was going well? I agree that having a pair of eyes near to the property would be great. Good luck. I would build for myself and furnish for renters. Hope it works for you.
I might even allow pets. Not sure. Pet owners are usually good people especially if they bring their pets on vacation
