About Us and Our Services
Welcome to Rent A Place In The Sun! We’re a family-owned business that has been bringing smiles to holidaymakers in Spain since 2013, and we’re excited to share our journey with you. Over the years, we’ve grown steadily, and we’re now thrilled to extend our services to include property owners and managers in the UK!
Our passion lies in helping property owners and managers maximise their rental income from beautiful homes abroad. While we’ve primarily focused on the lovely Algarve in Portugal and sun-soaked areas in Spain, we have the know-how to help you find bookings in other countries too.
For Owners:
We love working directly with property owners! We take care of listing your properties on all the big online platforms so you can reach plenty of potential guests. If you’d like, we can connect you with a fantastic management agent in your area who will look after your property. They can handle everything from checking in guests to cleaning and repairs, so you can relax knowing your home is in good hands. Prefer to do it yourself? No problem! We can take care of the bookings and pass them directly to you. It’s totally up to you!
For Property Managers:
Property managers! We know you work hard to look after your clients’ properties, whether they bought them from you or elsewhere. That’s where we come in! We’re here to partner with you to market properties for holiday rentals according to owner agreements and help you manage bookings. With our support, you can focus on managing the properties while we handle the booking side of things. Plus, we can provide potential rental income forecasts to help you, and your clients make informed decisions.
Our Team
Sharron Smith – Director of Operations:
Sharron runs a management consultancy specialising in business improvement, which she established in 2002. Initially, while working as a consultant, she was approached by a client to develop a real estate company in Spain. Although the client ultimately did not pursue this venture, Sharron decided to take it on herself.
In 2002, while living in the Costa del Sol, Sharron established the holiday rental aspect of her business, operating her own real estate company in Fuengirola. She initially focused on selling properties and businesses, but as demand grew, she transitioned to offering holiday rentals.
In 2012, Sharron expanded her holiday rental and booking services to the Algarve in Portugal. By 2019, she began offering holiday rentals in Costa Cálida, La Manga, Murcia, where she owns an apartment. Currently, Sharron and her team have become affiliates in Costa Blanca and are expanding back into the Costa del Sol and the UK. They now work directly with property owners and managers in several locations. The business has recently rebranded to reflect its diverse coverage and is now called Rent A Place In The Sun.
Sharron oversees the full operation of the business and works directly with owners and affiliates.
Costa Calida:
- La Manga KLM12 to 17
- La Manga Club
- Mar de Crystal
- Camping La Manga
Costa Blanca:
- Benissa
- Moraira
- Teulada
Costa Del Sol
- Marbella (coming soon)
- Fuengirola (coming soon)
Melanie Green – Director of Customer Services
Melanie previously co-owned a white goods business in the UK.
Melanie has been the Director of A Place In The Sun since 2015 and has established herself firmly in this role. She is directly involved with property owners and affiliates. Together with the other directors, she regularly visits the areas where we operate to view properties, collaborate with Ben on marketing, and photography, checking inventory, and ensuring that the quality of the properties meets our high standards for customers.
Additionally, Melanie oversees our IT systems, the website, and all major booking platforms, including Booking.com and Airbnb. She ensures that all properties are listed accurately and that bookings are processed efficiently. Moreover, she makes sure that we communicate promptly and effectively with owners, affiliates, and our customers.
Ben Counsell Director of Sales & Marketing
Ben was previously the co-owner and Director of a large white goods retailer in the UK, which he built alongside Melanie. In 2015, they decided to change direction and joined Sharron (Ben’s mother) in the holiday rental business. Together, they have successfully grown this venture, which continues to expand as a family business.
Ben is responsible for overseeing the sales and marketing aspects of the business. His role involves showcasing the properties we have listed for rent in the best possible light, ensuring that our customers have a clear understanding of the properties they are booking. This also guarantees that property owners and affiliates are fairly represented in the management of their properties.
Additionally, Ben regularly visits the areas where we operate to check each property, ensuring that we have accurate and high-quality photos for every listing we advertise. He is also responsible for creating social media posts and ensuring that the marketing content on our website is accurate.
