From hosting to laundromat, a one-stop management shop

Before Monica and Matt Schulte moved to Phillip Island from The Netherlands, Matt was a military policeman who guarded the Dutch royal palace and Monica was a photographer by day and bar owner by night.

So, it’s fair to say the couple’s move to create Phillip Island Host – a short-term rental (holiday) management company, rebuilding Phillip Island Laundromat and plans to start a real estate agency wasn’t exactly where they expected to find themselves when they moved to Australia in 2016.

Not long after arriving on the island, Matt and Monica noticed many holiday homes being left empty for most of the year, and soon discovered why.

Owners, many of whom were based off the island or even overseas found the process of managing short term rentals stressful, challenging or simply didn’t know how to go about renting out their home.

And so, Phillip Island Host was created.

Boasting more than 70 property listings across the island and San Remo, Phillip Island Host offers a full property management service from photographing, listing creation and screening guests, to professional cleaning, product supplies, bin servicing and garden maintenance right through to revenue management via an online portal for owners to access. And a full linen service.

“We are the only Phillip Island-based management company that offer a full service, so all the stress is gone for owners. They can enjoy the benefit of an income as well as knowing their property is being taken care of without needing to lift a finger,” Monica says.

Phillip Island Host employs about 14 locals, and in February Sarah Burke joined the business as a property manager to help with the growing number of listings. Sarah has a decade’s experience working in property management on the island.

Laundromat

The latest piece of the puzzle in their business venture is Phillip Island Laundromat, located on the second level, 14/4 The Esplanade, which opened last December.

Given their experience in property management, Monica and Matt experienced firsthand the gap in the market for a commercial linen service, but also a laundromat for locals.

“For the last five years there was no commercial laundromat on the island so it was a really logical extension,” Matt says.

Adds Monica: “As soon as we told people we were starting the laundromat it was clear people were missing one and there’s a big demand for it”.

In the purpose fit out for the laundromat, there are eight new eco-friendly industrial washers from 9kg up to 27kg, as well as nine dryers, from 18-34 kg.

Self-service wash and dry washers take about 24 minutes, with drying up to 35 minutes, and payment made via card or phone.

Phillip Island Laundromat also offers linen service to customers, so either home or commercial rentals can have their linen professionally washed, dried and ironed.

Matt says the next piece of the puzzle is starting a real estate agency, and he is currently studying for his certificate IV in real estate. The plan is to start this up later this year.

The laundromat is open 7am-10pm at 14/4 The Esplanade, while Phillip Island Host office is next door and open by appointment on 0490 465 855.

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