Vacation Rental Management – Preparing Your Property For The Rental Market

The vacation rental market is one of the fastest growing segments of the lodging industry. If you own a home in a popular resort area, convert your property into a vacation rental and generate income when you’re not using it. Here are a few suggestions to help you prepare your property for the rental market.

Local Regulations
The first step in preparing your property for the rental market is to find out the requirements of your local governing agency. Some resort areas have banned or restricted vacation rentals of less than 30 days. Transient Occupancy Tax, or bed taxes, should be collected on every reservation and forwarded to your local city or county. Many resort areas require that vacation rental properties pay registration fees and be inspected for safety issues before the property is occupied. Get to know your local rules and regulations before you start renting.

Furnishings and Decor
Rental properties should have comfortable but durable furniture with fabrics that clean easily and resist stains. Used furniture is acceptable as long as it matches and is in “like new” condition. Use commercial quality, stain resistant carpeting in practical colors. White carpeting may look great in your own home but is not recommended for rental property. Top quality beds and bedding are a priority with mattresses more firm than soft. Hang colorful pictures and paintings that reflect your location or decorating theme. The kitchen should be fully equipped, just like your personal residence. Washers and dryers are highly recommended. Make sure you have enough dining and living room seating to accommodate the amount of people your property can sleep.

Amenities
Popular amenities include: flat screen television, dvd player, pool table, Jacuzzi or hot tub, foosball table, board games, internet access, crib, books and magazines. Put together a notebook detailing how to operate the general systems of the property and include emergency contact numbers, brochures for local attractions, maps, and dining guides. Amenities will vary depending on your location. If your property is located near the beach, you may want to provide beach chairs and bicycles. A mountain property might have snow sleds or fishing poles available for guest use. Be creative and have fun with it.

Cleanliness
Vacation rentals must be cleaned in-between each guest stay. Always provide your cleaners with a detailed list of your cleaning requirements. Purchase a second set of linens and have them ready for back to back reservations. Inspect the property after each cleaning to make sure it’s ready for the next guest. Going the extra mile in this department will save you in the long run.

Condition
If something is not working correctly, or if furniture is damaged, get it fixed immediately. Even something as small as a light bulb needing replacement can cause a guest to complain. Once again, inspections are the key to avoiding headaches. Create a room by room, top to bottom, inspection checklist and always give yourself enough time to make the necessary repairs. Plan on, and budget for, painting the interior walls and replacing the carpeting and flooring every 3 to 5 years. You are going to want your property to be occupied as often as possible and that means wear and tear. Deferred maintenance is part of the rental business.

Miscellaneous
Take good pictures of your property and post as many as possible. Photos are the best way to represent your property to potential guests, either online or in your brochure. Invest in a good camera with a wide- angle lens or hire a professional photographer. Keep a guest book in the property for guest comments and ask for permission to reprint their reviews. Remind your guests to review your property on Tripadvisor, Google, and Yahoo.

There are many details to managing a vacation rental. Take the time to prepare your property for the vacation rental market and it will be a rewarding experience for you and your guests.