Renting out your home in Coonoor

Our advice for Coonoor

Coonoor is tea country in the Nilgiris, quieter than Ooty above it and connected by the mountain railway that climbs from the plains. Owners here sell a cottage, a view over the slopes and cool air, to guests escaping Coimbatore, Chennai and Bengaluru heat.

Damp is the operating problem

At this altitude, a house that stands empty for ten days smells of it. Mould on walls, mildew in cupboards and musty linen are the most common complaints in the hills, and they are entirely preventable: heat or dehumidify between stays, air rooms daily, keep linen in sealed storage, and never leave a closed property unattended through the wet months. A caretaker who opens the windows is cheaper than repainting.

Warmth sells more than views

• Nights are cold for much of the year. Heating that works, thick blankets and hot water at six in the morning are what the review will mention.
• Guests arriving from the plains are unprepared for the cold. Say in the listing what to bring.
• Fireplaces are charming and dangerous: sweep them, supply dry wood, and give written instructions and a carbon monoxide detector.

Getting here shapes the stay

The heritage railway from Mettupalayam is a slow, memorable arrival and a genuine selling point, but it runs on its own timetable and fills up. The road up is a series of hairpins that takes longer than a map suggests. Publish honest timings and arrange a pickup at the station or the airport rather than leaving guests to bargain at the exit.

Building in the hills

Construction in this district is subject to hill-area planning controls, and land classified for plantation use is not freely convertible. Confirm the permitted use of the plot and any building approval with the local planning authority before you buy, extend or convert outbuildings into rooms.

Season and registration

The summer months and the year-end holidays are the peaks; the monsoon is quiet and is when repairs belong. Ask the state tourism department which registration or classification your property needs, and keep the answer on file with your approvals.