Summer is usually a thriving time for vacation rentals, however, in this time of uncertainty, many do not know how they will fill vacancies and keep their rental business afloat. Take control of your rental income by following these steps:

Know the Guidelines
Before opening up your vacation rental property make sure you understand state and municipal guidelines and/or orders regarding vacation rentals. You don’t want to move forward with bookings if you’re not permitted to do so.  Also, ensure main attractions, such as beaches will be open, if your advertising centers around this. 

Reduce Rates
Attract domestic travelers by reducing your nightly rates. Lowering rates helps you remain competitive and will help attract potential guests during an economic crisis. Making sure your property is operational during a time of uncertainty will allow you to cash in on short-notice bookings. A lot of people are waiting until the last minute to book their summer vacation, so you will want to take advantage of these opportunities.

Self Check-in
During a time of “social distancing” it is very important to limit exposure to guests traveling to your vacation rental. If you are someone who likes to meet guests at the front door you should temporarily avoid this.  Smart locks or lock boxes are a great option for having your guests check-in and check-out themselves. By utilizing smart lock technology you can create unique lock codes for your guests that expire at a certain time making check-in and check-out a breeze. 

Cleaning
According to the WHO and CDC the virus can live on surfaces for several hours to days. It is important to implement certain cleaning techniques for the safety of all guests and cleaning staff. Bleach and alcohol based cleaners are a safe bet when cleaning hard surfaces. It is extremely important to make sure cleaning staff are wiping down and disinfecting surfaces that are frequently touched, like doorknobs, handles, light switches, remotes, surface tops, bathrooms, and kitchens. 

Communicate
Guests are inherently anxious while traveling during COVID-19, so communication is key. It is important to have steady communication over the phone, text, or email to ensure guests you are taking the proper procedures to protect their health and safety. Make sure to insert a page in your property information binder or guidebook about your special coronavirus efforts (such as extra cleaning or remote check-in/check-out) to show your guests all that you are doing to help protect them while the pandemic persists. 

Offer Suggestions
Other things you can do to make guests feel more comfortable is offer suggestions as to where to get take out meals and what do during their stay. Certain restaurants, movie theaters, or beaches may still be closed during this time so make sure you’ve researched openings and closings for local businesses in your area and have this information available in your property information binder or in a word document that can be easily emailed to your guests.

Hire a Professional
If managing your rental has gotten to be too much or if the state of the rental market this year has put you over the edge, don’t give up! A professional can help and is trained to be responsive and quickly change tactics based on the market.  This season doesn’t have to be a bust. 

Having information readily available about your procedures for a healthy and safe stay will help ensure a smooth booking process for your vacation rental guests. Happy renting!  We’re in this together!