How to Manage an Airbnb Remotely: It’s Actually Easy

Running a vacation rental can be a full-time job, even if you’re just renting out a single property. If you’re managing multiple properties, or if you live far away from your rental, it can be even more challenging to keep on top of everything. But don’t worry—with a little planning and the right tools, you can easily manage your Airbnb remotely. Here’s how: 

How to Manage An Airbnb Remotely

1. Use a Vacation Rental Management Software

One of the best ways to manage your Airbnb remotely is to use vacation rental management software. This software is designed specifically for vacation rental owners and hosts, and it can make your life much easier. With vacation rental management software, you can do things like automate bookings, guest communications, and cleaning schedules. You can also use the software to track your finances and run data-driven marketing campaigns. 

The best vacation rental management software will offer a comprehensive suite of features that will cover all aspects of running your business. They will also have 24/7 customer support in case you have any questions or need help with anything. And last but not least, they should have a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for you to get started—even if you’re not tech-savvy. 

Some of the top vacation rental management software programs include Hostfully, Lodgify, and Guesty. Take some time to research each one to see which one would be the best fit for your business needs.

2. How to Manage an Airbnb Remotely – Outsource

Another way to manage your Airbnb remotely is to outsource certain tasks where possible. For example, if you live far away from your rental property, you may want to consider hiring a local property manager to take care of things like guest check-ins/checkouts, inspections, and repairs. 

If you don’t want to hire a full-time property manager, there are also many companies that offer services like key exchange and concierge services. These companies can help take care of things like stocking groceries and providing transportation for your guests. This can be a great way to provide an extra level of service for your guests without having to do any of the work yourself. 

3. Find An Amazing Cleaning Crew to Help You Manage Remotely

Whether you’re a full-time Airbnb host or you just rent out your place occasionally, having a reliable cleaning crew is essential; especially remotely.

They will be your eyes and ears on the ground. After all, first impressions are everything, and you want your guests to have a positive experience from the moment they walk in the door.

The good news is that there are plenty of great options out there, so you’re sure to find a crew that meets your needs and fits your budget.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you search for the perfect cleaners for your Airbnb:

1. Reputation: When it comes to something as important as cleaning your rental property, you want to make sure you’re working with a team that has a great reputation. Ask around for recommendations, read online reviews, and get in touch with past clients to get a sense of what it’s like to work with the company.

2. Services: What kind of services do you need? Some companies offer basic cleaning services, while others also provide deeper cleans, laundry service, and more. Make sure you know what you need so you can narrow down your options.

3. Schedule: How often do you need the cleaners to come? Once a week? Twice a month? Depending on how often your rental is occupied, you may need to adjust the frequency of your cleanings.

4. Cost: Of course, cost is always an important consideration. Get quotes from several companies before making your final decision.

5.Integration with your Booking Platform:-For me, this is a practice I won’t budge on. The only cleaning companies I hire are the ones that can integrate with my booking platform and automatically schedule appointments as soon as they receive a new booking.

Make sure to interview various cleaning companies in the area before deciding on one.

4. Put Together a Remote Home Services Team

In addition to a cleaning crew, you may also want to consider putting together a home services team to help you manage your Airbnb remotely. This could include a handyman for things like small repairs, an exterminator for pest control, and someone to mow the lawn/ shovel the snow in the winter.

Again, reputation is important here. You want to make sure you’re working with companies that have a good track record and that will do a great job taking care of your rental property.

You will utilize these services less often than your cleaning crew, but it’s still important to have a team in place that you can rely on when you need them if you are going to be successfully at learning How to Manage an Airbnb Remotely.

5. Use Smart Locks to Manage Remotely

Remote access for your guests is crucial if you are hosting remotely. After all, you can’t be there to let them in every time they arrive. The good news is that there are plenty of great options available when it comes to smart locks.

This type of lock allows you to give your guests access to your rental property without having to worry about losing a key or dealing with late-night arrivals. You can also set up specific code for each guest so you can keep track of who is coming and going.

There are a few different types of smart locks on the market, so make sure to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs.

Some important things to keep in mind when choosing a smart lock include:

1. Ease of use: You want a lock that is easy for both you and your guests to use.

2. Security: Make sure the lock you choose is secure and that you feel confident in its ability to protect your rental property.

3. Compatibility: Not all smart locks work with all types of doors, so make sure to check that the lock you want is compatible with your property.

4. Cost: Smart locks can vary widely in price, so be sure to compare options and find one that fits your budget.

5. Battery life: You don’t want a lock that is going to die in the middle of the night, so make sure to choose one with a good battery life.

6. Reviews: As with anything, it’s always a good idea to read online reviews before making a purchase. This will give you a better sense of what others think of the product and whether or not it’s right for you.

7. Customer service: In the event that something does go wrong with your lock, it’s important to have a company with good customer service that you can rely on for help.

8.Wifi and Blutooth Compatibility: This is crucial. I’ve had this happen before, where the wifi connection vanished and had to be reset, but thankfully the doorlock still functioned via Bluetooth.

Smart locks are a great way to improve the security of your rental property and make it more convenient for both you and your guests.

6. Consider Installing Security Cameras

Another great way to keep an eye on your rental property when you’re not there is to install security cameras. This will allow you to check in on your place whenever you want and make sure that everything is running smoothly.

It also allows you to confirm when guests arrive, leave, and whether they have brought any additional guests (including furry ones).

There are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to security cameras, such as privacy laws and your local regulations. Make sure to do your research before making any decisions.

If you do use remote cameras via a doorbell system or other camera system, ensure you disclose this on your listing.

7. Setup Automatic Messages

Finally, one of the best ways to manage your Airbnb remotely is to set up automatic messages. This way, you can take care of all the little details before your guests even arrive.

You can use an online service like IFTTT or Zapier to automate your messages. For example, you could set it up so that your guests receive a message as soon as they book your rental, a few days before their arrival, and on the day of their departure.

You can also use these services to automate other tasks, such as sending yourself a message when someone books your rental or turning on the lights at a certain time.

By taking care of the little details in advance, you can relax and enjoy your time away from your rental property knowing that everything is taken care of.

8. Get Insurance

Make sure you have the right insurance coverage for your rental property. This will protect you in the event that something goes wrong, such as theft, damage, or accidents.

There are a few different types of insurance policies available, so make sure to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs.

Some short term rental specific insurance companies that we’ve seen market to hosts are :

-Proper Insurance

-Lemonade Insurance

-Slice Labs

These companies typically have very affordable rates and cover a wide variety of risks.

Make sure to shop around and compare policies before making a decision.

9. Get to Know Your Neighbors

It’s likely that some of your neighbors are also vacation rental hosts. Get to know them! They can be a valuable resource for information about the area, as well as a potential source of help if you need it.

For example, if you live far away and there’s an issue at the rental property, your neighbors may be able to go check things out for you. Or, if you’re looking for recommendations on local service providers, they may have some great suggestions.

Building relationships with other hosts in the area can be a great way to make sure your rental property is well-taken care of, even when you’re not there.

So make sure you exchange contact information with your neighbors and touch base every once in a while.

10. Consider a Co-Host

If you’re really not comfortable managing your rental property 100% remotely, you may want to consider finding a co-host.

A co-host is someone who usually lives near the rental property and can take care of things for you when you’re not there. They can handle everything from greeting guests to dealing with any issues that come up.

This can be a great option if you want to have someone nearby to take care of things, but you don’t necessarily want to hire a professional property manager.

To find a co-host, you can start by asking your neighbors if they know anyone who might be interested. You can also post a message in your local community Facebook group or online classifieds.

There are also some online platforms specifically for finding co-hosts, a quick google search will reveal them.

When you’re vetting potential co-hosts, make sure to do your due diligence. This means doing a background check and meeting them in person to make sure they’re a good fit.

You should also have a contract in place that outlines each person’s responsibilities and what would happen in the event that one person needs to back out.

Having a co-host is a great way to manage your Airbnb remotely, while still having someone nearby to take care of things.

Bottom Line

There you have it, our best tips on how to manage an airbnb remotely! Managing an Airbnb remotely doesn’t have to be difficult—with the right tools and some careful planning, you can easily keep on top of everything. Use vacation rental management software to automate bookings and guest communications, and consider outsourcing tasks like key exchange and concierge services to free up your time. By following these tips, you’ll be able to manage your Airbnb effortlessly—even from afar.

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