5. management companies
As short-term rentals have become more popular, so have management companies catered specifically to Airbnb and other platforms. While they take a large chunk of your earnings, a management company may still make sense for you.
When choosing a management company, make sure they have a good reputation as hosts on Airbnb and that the company is managed professionally. Accept nothing less than a verified Superhost with no less than a 4.8 rating.
Managers can be a good idea, but they can often neglect your listing in favor of others. Cleaning and communication may suffer if your management company is not professional and detail-oriented.
Make sure your payment agreement and everyone’s responsibilities and expectations are clearly spelled out in your contract. These should include:
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Communication: message turnover time
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Cleaning checklist
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Communication of problems
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Who is responsible for cleaning
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Who is responsible for cleaning supplies
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Who is responsible for maintaining the calendar
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Who is responsible for maintenance requests
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Who lets in contractors
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Who pays bills
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Who does the laundry
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Early check-in, check out, luggage requests
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Binder/website maintenance
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Payment
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Hours
Expect nothing less than five stars for every trip on your listing and make sure you follow up with the management company when a guest complains. You are paying the management a large percentage of your earnings for their services and you should expect nothing less than perfection.