How to Manage Your Vacation Rental Remotely
A practical guide to managing vacation rentals remotely without a property manager, covering smart locks, thermostats, cleaning management, and quality control.
Check in Before The Check-In
Communicate with guests online before arrival. Learn about them, ask for flight numbers or itineraries, and use this opportunity to offer personalized local recommendations and hospitality touches.
Key Exchange Strategy
Smart Digital Locks
Install electronically activated deadbolts controlled via smartphone. You can create unlimited virtual keys and set specific access windows for each guest. Recommended brands include August, Goji, and Kwickset Kevo Plus.
Alternative Solutions
- KeyCafe: Third-party service partnering with local cafes for key storage and handoff
- Lockboxes: Serve as backup key exchange options for guests without smartphones
Install Smart Technology
Nest Thermostat and similar devices allow remote temperature control. The system detects movement and adjusts settings automatically for energy efficiency. Alternatives include Ecobee3 and Honeywell thermostats.
Cleaning and Turnover Management
On-demand services provide quick cleaning solutions. However, for turnover management, visual checklists with photo annotations offer the most reliable approach. Key features include:
- Visual checklists with photo annotations
- Real-time arrival and completion notifications
- Damage reporting capabilities
- Translation features for language barriers
- Verification photos for task completion
This approach properly distinguishes hospitality cleaning from standard residential cleaning, addressing tasks like refrigerator emptying and soap dispenser refilling.
Post-Checkout Follow-Up
Send guests follow-up messages requesting feedback on their experience. Respond to reviews and offer discount codes for future stays to encourage repeat bookings.
Remote Quality Control
Track damage between guest stays and monitor inventory replenishment needs using damage reporting features.
Conclusion
Managing remote vacation rentals requires appropriate tactics and tools, making operations simple when implemented correctly.
Looking for tools to put these ideas into practice? Explore Properly’s solutions:
- Autoscheduler — automates turnover scheduling so nothing falls through the cracks
- Skills library — train your team with photo-guided modules for every task
- pricing options — find the right plan for your operation
Ready to automate your rental operations?
Join 10,000+ hosts who use Properly to automate turnovers, verify quality, and deliver five-star stays.