The key to successfully managing a short term rental property is ensuring that your property is always fit for purpose. This can be tricky for property investors who don’t live within proximity to their rental properties. For instance, if you’re managing a rental property in Wangaratta but living further south towards metro Melbourne, keeping on top of maintenance for your rental may naturally be complicated by the distance.
Thankfully, partnering with local home services providers can help bridge the gap here. So what key contacts should you be communicating with when it comes to ensuring your short term rental stays presentable year-round? Here are just a few to get you started.
A Qualified Locksmith
Your short term rental property's security is of utmost importance, and for this, you’ll need a locksmith who can install deadlocks and other modern security measures in your home to keep it safe while it's unoccupied. You never know when you’ll need to contact an emergency locksmith, either, as your renters may lose the key after hours and need to gain access. Having a great locksmith on the books is an excellent step in managing a short term rental.
A bonus tip here: you may need to change the locks from time to time, as some nefarious sorts will book a short term rental, get a copy of the key, and come back later to break in. You may also want to consider different forms of entry, such as a keypad or fob for entry, to avoid this issue. A skilled locksmith can work with you to figure out alternative ways of protecting your home.
Hospitality-Trained Cleaners
A dependable cleaner or reliable cleaning service is an essential contact for all short term rental providers – particularly those who don’t live within easy driving distance of their investment property and thus, won’t be able to clean it easily themselves. Turnover times between guests staying at your rental are often tight, especially with back-to-back bookings, so having a cleaning company or cleaner who is punctual, thorough, and familiar with the high standards expected in short term rentals is critical here.
Keep in mind that your cleaners will need to do more than just cleaning too. They will also be responsible for restocking essentials like toilet paper and kitchen cleaning products, checking for any damage, and reporting maintenance issues in between guest bookings. For this reason, it’s well worth looking for cleaners who have some experience in hospitality (i.e. hotel cleaning) and not just in domestic cleaning.
A Maintenance Person or Handyman, or Specialised Trades
Alongside a cleaner, a good maintenance or handyman contact, who you might find at a local repair cafe, is just as important for your short term rental property. Things break around a house, whether it’s a leaking tap or shower, a squeaky door, or a broken bed frame – and you need a professional who can respond quickly to minimise guest disruption and annoyance.
In some cases, you may even need qualified specialists, like a licensed plumber or electrician, particularly if the property is in an older building or region where infrastructure can be temperamental. For instance, if an air conditioner or heater breaks, you’ll need a qualified tradesperson who can diagnose and repair heating and cooling issues, which a regular handyperson won’t be able to do. The same applies to faulty wiring or major plumbing issues, which are beyond the remit of a handyman.
Be sure to ask any general handymen you’re looking to work with what specialised services they may be able to offer.
A Property Manager or Co-Host
Depending on the size and location of your short term rental, a property manager or co-host can also be a valuable contact to have on hand. While not strictly necessary in all scenarios (especially if you live nearby and are hands-on with your property), a property manager can take care of communication with guests, bookings, pricing strategy relevant to the location, and emergencies.
With regards to budgeting for this service, property managers for short term rentals usually charge a certain percentage of the nightly rate. Still, the peace of mind in partnering with them can be well worth it, particularly if you own multiple short term rental properties or live interstate or are heading away for an overseas trip.
Linen and Laundry Service
A reliable linen and laundry service can save significant time and stress for your short term rental property. Especially during high-turnover periods like school holidays, Christmas, or major local events such as conventions or conferences, outsourcing this task ensures that fresh, clean linen is always available to your guests without you needing to manage all the washing and storage by yourself.
Working with a dedicated, consistent laundry service for your short term rental can also standardise quality, which is important in maintaining consistent positive reviews and repeat custom.
IT Support
Lastly, technology or IT support contacts may also play a role in managing your short term rental property. If your property uses smart locks, Wi-Fi-enabled heating or cooling, or automated guest check-in systems, having a professional IT technician who can troubleshoot issues remotely or in person can help rectify any diagnostics issues promptly.
Dedicated IT technicians can also fix internet connectivity issues, as nothing frustrates a short term rental guest more than being unable to access the Wi-Fi, slow internet, or streaming services.
Safeguard your Short Term Rental Property with these Specialised Service Providers
The key to having a successful short term rental property is having an essential list of contacts to help you manage the place. We’ve shared our key contacts in this useful article, and these may include trades such as locksmiths, handymen, plumbers, and sparkies. A reliable cleaning service, a linen service, and some tech support to manage smart homes are also key.
Be sure to use this list to simplify the management of your short term rental property, alongside helping you to better ensure a smooth and pleasant stay for your guests.