How to Rent My Home for The Open 2027: A Homeowner's Guide

If you are wondering how to rent your home for The Open 2027, the short answer is: it is more straightforward than most homeowners expect. The 155th Open Championship takes place at the Old Course, St Andrews, Fife, from 11–18 July 2027, and visitors from across the UK and internationally will be searching for comfortable private accommodation in the area. A well-presented home — whether in St Andrews itself, the East Neuk villages, Cupar, Dundee or further afield — could be a genuine opportunity to generate meaningful short-term income during one of golf's most prestigious events.

For event information, places to stay and travel guidance, visit our St Andrews Open 2027 accommodation guide.

This guide walks you through every step, from estimating your property's potential rental value to welcoming guests and handling checkout. You do not need experience as a landlord, and you do not need to run a permanent holiday-rental business. Many homeowners simply make their property available for the event period and manage the process themselves.

Is Your Property Suitable?

Properties do not need to be on the doorstep of the Old Course to attract interest. Visitors attending The Open 2027 include groups of friends, families and corporate parties who often prefer the space, privacy and value of a private home over booking several separate hotel rooms.

• St Andrews town: Walking distance to the Old Course. Town flats and townhouses are well suited to couples and small groups.
• Leuchars and Guardbridge: Approximately 5–15 minutes by car; good options for guests using Leuchars railway station.
• Cupar: Around 20 minutes via the A91. Suitable for families or small groups with a car.
• East Neuk villages (Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans, Elie): Approximately 20–35 minutes along the A917/B9131. Coastal properties and farmhouses here can work well for larger groups who want attractive surroundings and good access.
• Dundee: Around 30 minutes via the A92 and Tay Bridge, and served by ScotRail trains to Leuchars. Larger homes in Dundee may appeal to groups who also want access to the city's restaurants and attractions.
• Perth and Edinburgh corridor: Perth is approximately 50–60 minutes; Edinburgh approximately 80–100 minutes via the M90 and Forth crossings. Properties here are better suited as occasional-attendance touring bases rather than daily event stays.

Note that these are approximate normal-traffic journey times. Event week will bring additional traffic to Fife roads, and The Open normally operates park-and-ride services from designated sites. Guests should plan journeys with event conditions in mind.

Even if your property is not in St Andrews itself, a home that offers multiple bedrooms, comfortable living space, off-road parking and easy road access may still be attractive to visiting groups. Think about the complete offering rather than distance alone.

How to Rent My Home for The Open 2027: Step-by-Step

Step 1 — Estimate Your Property's Potential Rental Value

Step 2 — Decide Your Available Dates

The Open Championship runs 11–18 July 2027, with the main Championship rounds on 15–18 July. Many visitors prefer to arrive a day or two before and depart the day after the final round. Consider whether you want to offer the full week, the Championship weekend only, or a slightly extended period. The more flexible your dates, the wider the audience you can reach.

Step 3 — Confirm Guest Capacity

Count the comfortable sleeping spaces in your home: the number of bedrooms, bed sizes and total number of guests you can accommodate without overcrowding. Be honest. Listing a property accurately builds trust with prospective guests and avoids problems on arrival.

Step 4 — Prepare Photographs

Good photographs are the single most effective way to attract enquiries. You do not need a professional shoot, but you do need clear, well-lit images of every bedroom, the main living area, kitchen, bathrooms, parking and any garden or outdoor space. Take photographs in daylight, tidy each room before shooting, and aim for at least 8–10 images. A Golf Event Stays listing can include up to 12 photographs.

Step 5 — Write a Clear Property Description

Describe your home accurately. Include: the number of bedrooms and their bed configurations, number of bathrooms, kitchen facilities, living space, parking (number of vehicles), Wi-Fi, outdoor space, and the approximate travel time and route to St Andrews. Mention nearby towns, restaurants, shops and transport links. Groups will compare your property against hotel rooms and other rentals, so give them the information they need to make a decision.

Step 6 — Set Your Rental Price

Decide on a total rental price for the stay. Think about the number of bedrooms, property size and quality, location, and the duration of the booking. A written payment schedule — typically an initial booking payment to secure the dates, with the balance due closer to arrival — gives both you and the guest clarity. Avoid holding prime event dates open indefinitely without a confirmed initial payment.

Step 7 — Use a Straightforward Written Agreement

A simple written agreement protects both parties. It should record: your name and the lead guest's name; the property address; arrival and departure dates; check-in and checkout times; total price; payment dates; refundable security deposit (if applicable); number of agreed guests; basic house rules; and cancellation terms. It does not need to be a complex legal document — its purpose is to record what both sides have agreed.

Step 8 — Confirm the Guest Group

Before accepting a booking, confirm: the lead guest's full name, telephone number and email address; the total number of guests; whether any children are travelling; the reason for the visit; who will be staying at the property; and the number of vehicles if parking is relevant. Clear communication, consistent answers and a willingness to accept your agreement are positive signs. Be cautious if a guest refuses to identify themselves, provides conflicting information or is reluctant to follow your normal payment process.

Step 9 — Prepare and Clean Your Home

Your home does not need to be a hotel. It should be clean, comfortable, secure and accurately described. Before guests arrive: deep clean all guest areas; declutter bedrooms and shared spaces; secure personal documents, medicines, jewellery, cash and sentimental items in a locked cupboard or private room; provide clean bed linen and towels; check showers, toilets, hot water and heating; test important appliances; confirm Wi-Fi; empty bins; tidy outdoor areas; and leave clear parking instructions. Cleanliness and good presentation matter more than expensive renovations.

Step 10 — Provide Check-In Information

Send guests a clear check-in message before arrival. Include: the property address; check-in time; key collection or access method; parking instructions; Wi-Fi details; heating and hot-water instructions; important appliance notes; waste and recycling information; main house rules; your contact number; and approximate travel options from the property to St Andrews. Good pre-arrival communication reduces unnecessary calls and improves the guest experience.

Step 11 — Inspect After Checkout

Walk through the property promptly after guests leave. Check bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen equipment, appliances, furniture, walls and floors. Confirm keys have been returned. Photograph any significant damage. If everything is in order, return the security deposit without delay. Prompt checkout inspections and quick deposit returns build goodwill and reduce disputes.

Listing Your Property on Golf Event Stays

The standard listing for The Open Championship 2027 at St Andrews is a one-time fee of £129. There are no monthly charges and no commission deducted from your rental income under the standard self-managed listing. You retain full control of your pricing, your enquiries, your booking terms and your guest communication. Golf Event Stays provides listing exposure and enquiry generation; you manage the stay.

To create a listing you will provide your property description, photographs, approximate location, bedroom and bathroom details, guest capacity, amenities, availability and pricing. Public-facing maps on Golf Event Stays display approximate locations to protect homeowner privacy — guests receive the confirmed address after the booking is arranged.

How to Price Your Open 2027 Rental

Pricing for a major golf-event rental depends on a combination of factors: your property's location relative to St Andrews, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, total guest capacity, parking, general comfort and presentation, and the dates you are offering. A large farmhouse in the East Neuk with five bedrooms, a garden and off-road parking for several cars will command a different price from a two-bedroom flat in Cupar.

Consider structuring payments as an initial booking deposit to confirm the dates, with the balance due a set number of weeks before arrival. This avoids holding premium event dates open without commitment.

Common Concerns — Answered

What about insurance?

Before the stay, contact your home insurer and explain that paying guests will be staying in the property for a short event-related period. Ask whether your existing cover is appropriate or whether a temporary adjustment is needed. This is usually a straightforward conversation. Do not assume existing cover automatically extends to paying guests without checking.

What about tax on rental income?

Rental income you receive may need to be declared. Keep a clear record of the payment received and retain receipts for any direct costs associated with the rental, such as cleaning. The exact tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and your overall tax position. If you are unsure, a brief conversation with a local accountant or tax adviser will give you a straightforward answer.

What if my property is not in St Andrews?

Many visiting groups for The Open 2027 will specifically seek properties outside St Andrews town centre — particularly groups of four, six or eight people who need several bedrooms and parking together. A comfortable home in Anstruther, Cupar, Dundee or even Perth may be exactly what a particular group is looking for. Present your property's complete offering honestly: bedrooms, bathrooms, parking, living space, surroundings and travel route. Let visitors decide whether it suits them.

Do I need to list early?

Listing earlier gives suitable visitors more time to discover your property, more time for you to receive and consider enquiries, and more opportunity to answer questions and arrange a booking you are comfortable with before accommodation in the area is fully taken. Listing early does not guarantee a booking, but it gives your property the best chance of being seen.

House Rules and What to Include

A short, reasonable set of house rules protects your property and sets clear expectations without making genuine guests feel unwelcome. Suggested rules include: only agreed guests may stay overnight; no unauthorised parties or events; respect neighbours and keep noise to reasonable levels; follow the agreed smoking policy; follow the agreed pet policy; use designated parking only; do not enter any locked private areas; report accidental damage promptly; follow waste and recycling instructions; lock doors and windows when leaving; follow checkout instructions; and contact you directly if a serious issue arises.

A Short Inventory and Pre-Arrival Photographs

A brief written inventory of important items in the property — beds, linen, towels, key kitchen equipment, televisions, electronics, furniture and any higher-value decorative items you are leaving in the home — gives you a clear record if anything is missing or damaged after checkout. You do not need to record every minor household item. Take photographs of the property's condition shortly before guests arrive. Both steps are straightforward and take less time than most homeowners expect.

Related guides: For a broader walkthrough, see the Open 2027 homeowner listing and rental guide, or browse currently available properties on the Open 2027 accommodation page.

Golf Event Stays pricing is reviewed from time to time. For the current Self-Managed listing fee for each event and the current Fully Managed terms, see the Golf Event Stays pricing page or list your property.