Property Management

The day-to-day operational concepts of running short-term rentals: check-in flows, cleaning, maintenance, guest communication, and house rules.

79 entries published in this category.
Property Management

Airport Transfer

An airport transfer is a pre-arranged transportation service for guests between an airport and a vacation rental property. It is offered as an ancillary…

Read
Property Management

Back-to-Back Booking

A back-to-back booking is a reservation schedule where a new guest checks in on the same day that the previous guest checks out. This strategy maximizes a…

Read
Property Management

Blackout Date

A blackout date is a specific day or range of days that a property owner or manager intentionally makes unavailable for booking, typically for personal use…

Read
Property Management

Booking Buffer

A booking buffer is a set period of unbookable time automatically blocked before and/or after a guest reservation. This practice ensures hosts and cleaning…

Read
Property Management

Check-in

Check-in is the process by which a guest arrives at a vacation rental and gains access to the property at the start of their reservation. It's a foundational…

Read
Property Management

Check-in Time

Check-in time is the designated time on the day of arrival from which guests are permitted to enter and occupy a vacation rental property. It is a critical…

Read
Property Management

Check-out

Check-out is the formal process of a guest concluding their stay and vacating a vacation rental property, which includes departure by a set time and the host's…

Read
Property Management

Check-out Time

Check-out time is the designated deadline by which a guest must vacate a vacation rental property on their final day, allowing hosts to prepare for the next…

Read
Property Management

Cleaning Checklist

A cleaning checklist is a room-by-room document that details all tasks required to prepare a vacation rental for guest arrival. It is a critical tool for…

Read
Property Management

Cleaning Company

A cleaning company is a third-party business that provides professional cleaning services for properties, including vacation rentals. Owners and property…

Read
Property Management

Cleaning Crew

A cleaning crew is a team of professional cleaners responsible for the cleaning, sanitation, and preparation of a vacation rental property between guest stays…

Read
Property Management

Cleaning Schedule

A cleaning schedule is a timetable that organizes and assigns cleaning tasks for a vacation rental, ensuring the property is consistently prepared for guest…

Read
Property Management

Co-Hosting

Co-hosting is a partnership model where a vacation rental owner shares hosting responsibilities and a percentage of the rental income with another person or…

Read
Property Management

Complaint Handling

Complaint handling is the systematic process hosts use to address and resolve guest issues. It involves receiving, evaluating, and providing solutions for…

Read
Property Management

Concierge Service

A concierge service offers personalized assistance to vacation rental guests, handling requests like booking tours, making restaurant reservations, and…

Read
Property Management

Contactless Check-in

Contactless check-in allows vacation rental guests to access a property using technology like smart locks or lockboxes, eliminating the need for in-person key…

Read
Property Management

Damage Report

A damage report is a formal document detailing any damage to a rental property or its contents found after a guest's stay. This report serves as critical…

Read
Property Management

Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning is a periodic, intensive cleaning process that goes beyond a standard turnover clean. It involves thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing all areas of…

Read
Property Management

During-Stay Message

A during-stay message is a communication sent from a host or property manager to a guest partway through their stay. It serves as a proactive check-in to…

Read
Property Management

Early Check-in

Early check-in is the practice of allowing guests to access a vacation rental property before the standard, specified check-in time, often upon request and…

Read
Property Management

Essential Amenity

Essential amenities are the fundamental, non-negotiable items guests expect to find in a vacation rental for a functional and comfortable stay. These include…

Read
Property Management

Grocery Stocking

Grocery stocking is an ancillary service where a host or property manager arranges for groceries to be purchased and put away in the rental property before a…

Read
Property Management

Guest Screening

Guest screening is the process of verifying a potential guest's identity and background to assess the risk of property damage, fraud, or rule violations.

Read
Property Management

Handyman

A handyman is a skilled craftsperson responsible for performing a wide range of general repairs and maintenance tasks for a vacation rental property. Their…

Read
Property Management

Hot Tub Maintenance

Hot tub maintenance refers to the schedule of regular tasks required to keep a hot tub or spa clean, safe, and operational for guests. It encompasses water…

Read
Property Management

House Manual

A house manual is a guide for guests that explains how to use a property's features, appliances, and amenities, while also outlining important rules and…

Read
Property Management

House Rules

House rules are a set of guidelines and restrictions established by a host that guests must adhere to during their stay. They cover topics like parties, noise…

Read
Property Management

HVAC Maintenance

HVAC maintenance involves the regular inspection, cleaning, and servicing of a property's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. For vacation…

Read
Property Management

ID Verification

ID verification is the process of confirming a guest's legal identity using official documents to enhance security, prevent fraud, and comply with local…

Read
Property Management

Inventory List

An inventory list is a detailed catalog of all items within a vacation rental property, from furniture and appliances to linens and kitchenware. It is used by…

Read
Property Management

Issue Resolution

Issue resolution in the vacation rental industry refers to the structured process of addressing and solving guest complaints, maintenance problems, or other…

Read
Property Management

Key Exchange

Key exchange is the process of transferring keys for a vacation rental from the host or property manager to the guest at the beginning of their stay, and back…

Read
Property Management

Keyless Entry

Keyless entry refers to any system that allows a guest to unlock a property without a traditional physical key, typically using a numeric code, a smartphone…

Read
Property Management

Kitchen Equipment

Kitchen equipment refers to the array of appliances, cookware, utensils, and dinnerware provided in a vacation rental for guests to prepare and consume meals…

Read
Property Management

Landscaping

Landscaping for a vacation rental involves the design, care, and maintenance of all outdoor areas to enhance curb appeal, improve guest experience, and…

Read
Property Management

Late Check-out

Late check-out is an arrangement that permits guests to vacate a vacation rental property after the standard, pre-set departure time. It can be offered as a…

Read
Property Management

Laundry Service

A laundry service for vacation rentals is the process of washing, drying, folding, and replenishing all property linens, such as sheets, towels, and duvet…

Read
Property Management

Linen Service

A linen service is a third-party company that supplies, launders, and manages bed linens, towels, and other textiles for vacation rentals. Outsourcing this…

Read
Property Management

Linens Provided

Linens provided is a standard vacation rental amenity indicating that the host supplies all necessary bed sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels for guests…

Read
Property Management

Local Recommendations

Local recommendations are curated suggestions provided by hosts about nearby attractions, restaurants, activities, and services. They help guests experience…

Read
Property Management

Lockbox

A lockbox is a small, secure container used in the vacation rental industry to store property keys, enabling contactless self-check-in for guests. Hosts…

Read
Property Management

Lost and Found Policy

A lost and found policy in the vacation rental industry refers to the established procedure for handling personal items that guests leave behind after their…

Read
Property Management

Maintenance Log

A maintenance log is a detailed record of all maintenance and repair activities performed on a vacation rental property. It helps owners and managers track…

Read
Property Management

Maintenance Request

A maintenance request is a communication from a guest or staff member alerting a property manager or owner to an issue at a rental property that requires…

Read
Property Management

Maximum Length of Stay

Maximum Length of Stay (Max LOS) is a booking rule dictating the longest consecutive period a guest can reserve a vacation rental, used by hosts to manage…

Read
Property Management

Maximum Occupancy

Maximum occupancy refers to the total number of guests, including adults, children, and infants, legally and safely permitted to stay in a vacation rental…

Read
Property Management

Minimum Length of Stay (MLOS)

A rule set by property managers requiring guests to book a specific number of consecutive nights to confirm a reservation.

Read
Property Management

Off-Limits Area

An off-limits area is a space within a vacation rental property, such as a closet, room, or garage, that is secured and made inaccessible to guests to store…

Read
Property Management

Online Check-in

Online check-in is a digital process that allows guests to complete pre-arrival formalities, such as identification submission, rental agreement signatures…

Read
Property Management

Pest Control

Pest control is the process of managing, preventing, and eliminating pests from a vacation rental property to ensure guest safety, comfort, and property…

Read
Property Management

Pool Maintenance

Pool maintenance involves the regular upkeep and cleaning of a swimming pool at a vacation rental property. This includes cleaning, chemical balancing, and…

Read
Property Management

Post-Departure Inspection

A post-departure inspection is the process of thoroughly checking a vacation rental property for damage, missing items, and cleanliness after a guest checks…

Read
Property Management

Post-Stay Message

A post-stay message is a communication sent to guests after their departure. It primarily serves to thank them, request feedback or a public review, and…

Read
Property Management

Pre-Arrival Inspection

A pre-arrival inspection is a final quality control check of a vacation rental property, conducted shortly before a new guest checks in. This process ensures…

Read
Property Management

Pre-Stay Message

A pre-stay message is a communication sent to guests after they book but before they arrive, containing essential information for their upcoming stay, such as…

Read
Property Management

Premium Amenity

A premium amenity is a non-essential but highly desirable feature or service in a vacation rental that enhances the guest experience and allows hosts to…

Read
Property Management

Preparation Time Before Arrival (PTBA)

Preparation Time Before Arrival (PTBA) is a calendar setting that automatically blocks a specific period of time immediately before a guest's check-in. This…

Read
Property Management

Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance is the practice of regularly and proactively servicing property assets, systems, and equipment to prevent failures, reduce costly…

Read
Property Management

Property Inspection

A property inspection is a systematic check of a vacation rental to assess its condition, identify maintenance needs, and ensure it's ready for guests or has…

Read
Property Management

Property Onboarding

Property onboarding is the systematic process a vacation rental manager uses to integrate a new property into their management portfolio, preparing it for…

Read
Property Management

Property Walk-Through

A property walk-through is a guided tour provided by a host or property manager to a guest upon arrival. Its purpose is to familiarize the guest with the…

Read
Property Management

Quiet Hours

A defined period during which guests are required to minimize noise to avoid disturbing neighbors. Quiet hours are a standard part of house rules, crucial for…

Read
Property Management

Reactive Maintenance

Reactive maintenance, also known as breakdown or corrective maintenance, is the practice of repairing assets and equipment only after they have failed. In…

Read
Property Management

Restocking Checklist

A restocking checklist is a document used by vacation rental hosts, managers, or cleaning crews to ensure all consumable items in a property are replenished to…

Read
Property Management

Same-Day Turnover

Same-day turnover refers to the process where one guest checks out and another checks in on the same calendar day. This practice maximizes occupancy and…

Read
Property Management

Self Check-in

Self check-in is a process that allows guests to access a vacation rental property upon arrival without needing to meet the host or a staff member in person.

Read
Property Management

Smart Lock

A smart lock is an electromechanical lock that allows keyless entry to a property using a smartphone, keypad code, or other digital credential.

Read
Property Management

Special Request

A special request is a non-standard service or item asked for by a vacation rental guest to enhance their stay. These requests can range from simple inquiries…

Read
Property Management

Standard Amenity

Standard amenities are the essential items and services that guests expect to be included in a vacation rental for a comfortable stay. These foundational…

Read
Property Management

Standard Cleaning

Standard cleaning refers to the essential cleaning tasks performed in a vacation rental between guest stays. This routine process ensures the property is…

Read
Property Management

Toiletries

Toiletries are the personal hygiene and grooming products provided by hosts for guest use in a vacation rental. Supplying these items is a fundamental aspect…

Read
Property Management

Turnover

Turnover is the comprehensive process of preparing a vacation rental property for a new guest immediately after a previous guest has departed. This includes…

Read
Property Management

Turnover Cleaning

Turnover cleaning refers to the comprehensive cleaning and preparation process of a vacation rental property that takes place between the departure of one…

Read
Property Management

Turnover Day

A turnover day is the period between one guest checking out and the next guest checking in, during which the vacation rental property is cleaned, restocked…

Read
Property Management

Turnover Day Buffer

A turnover day buffer is a setting that automatically blocks one or more empty nights on a rental calendar before and/or after a booking, ensuring adequate…

Read
Property Management

Vendor Management

Vendor management is the process of sourcing, managing, and paying third-party service providers who maintain and operate a vacation rental property. This…

Read
Property Management

Welcome Basket

A welcome basket is a curated collection of items provided by a host to greet guests upon arrival at a vacation rental. This thoughtful gesture is designed to…

Read
Property Management

Welcome Letter

A welcome letter is a personalized document left in a vacation rental for guests upon their arrival. It provides a warm greeting, essential property…

Read
Property Management

Welcome Package

A welcome package is a collection of items provided to guests upon their arrival at a vacation rental. It's a gesture of hospitality intended to enhance the…

Read
Stay in the loop

Join the Lodgify newsletter.

Once a month, get free templates, expert tips for hosts, industry news, webinar invitations, and more — straight to your inbox.

One email a month. Unsubscribe anytime.