by Paris Achen | Aug 29, 2024 | Hosting and Management, Nuisance Prevention, Responsible Renting
The reality of short-term rental hosts’ lives and the hard work they routinely invest in their properties, guests, neighbors, and communities are often lost in sound bites or behind well-known listing platforms. The 2024 State of the Short-Term Rental Industry Report...
by Paris Achen | Oct 26, 2023 | Nuisance Prevention, Responsible Renting, Rules and Regulations
When you think of squatting, you might think of someone unlawfully occupying a vacant or abandoned property. While empty vacation rentals are at risk for squatters, another kind of squatting has grabbed headlines in recent years: guests who refuse to leave a...
by Paris Achen | May 19, 2023 | Community Engagement, Hosting and Management, Humans of Short-Term Rentals, Nuisance Prevention, Professional Development, Responsible Renting, Rules and Regulations, Social Responsibility & Giving Back, Supporting Local Businesses
Sarah Bradford and Tim Cafferty recently marked a milestone with the recording of their 150th episode of Sarah and T: The Professional Vacation Rental Manager’s Podcast. Every other Monday for nearly six years, they have released a new 30-minute episode packed with...
by Paris Achen | Dec 23, 2022 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Marketing, Nuisance Prevention, Property Care, Responsible Renting, Rules and Regulations, Safety, Taxes
Before the Great American Eclipse in August 2017, STR listings surged by up to 3,000% in the towns along the eclipse’s route, which spanned from Salem, Oregon, to Charleston, South Carolina, according to Bloomberg. According to the Times of San Diego, the city...
by Paris Achen | Nov 17, 2022 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Nuisance Prevention, Property Care, Responsible Renting, Safety
Can vacation rentals have surveillance cameras? This is a frequently asked question that plagues the minds of hosts who want to protect their property and guests who want to protect their privacy. The answer is more than a simple yes or no, and the decision whether to...
by Paris Achen | Oct 13, 2021 | Nuisance Prevention, Responsible Renting, Rules and Regulations, Taxes
Following all applicable laws is a critically important part of operating a short-term rental responsibly – or at all. Cities are increasingly imposing hefty penalties for failure to comply with local short-term rental ordinances, ranging from expensive fines to...
by Paris Achen | Aug 3, 2021 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Nuisance Prevention, Responsible Renting
Setting house rules is crucial to responsibly operating any vacation rental. Effectively communicating those rules holds equal importance but requires a little more social finesse. How do you come across as hospitable even as you tell your guests what they may and may...
by Paris Achen | Jul 26, 2021 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Nuisance Prevention, Responsible Renting
If you self-manage a short-term rental, you have probably fielded some challenging questions or requests from guests, including those that indicate guests would inadvertently – or intentionally – skirt your house rules. Sticking to your house rules and booking...
by Paris Achen | Apr 9, 2021 | Guest Communications, Hosting and Management, Nuisance Prevention, Property Care, Responsible Renting
Guests often choose short-term rentals for the experience of living like a local in a home-like atmosphere. But we can’t forget that they’re temporarily living amongst locals, too – our neighbors – so it’s important that we prevent vacation rental...
by Paris Achen | Mar 24, 2021 | Nuisance Prevention, Responsible Renting, Rules and Regulations
Honing your guest vetting process and sharpening your ability to spot potential booking red flags is one of the best ways to host great guests and protect your property and neighborhood from those who might accidentally or intentionally skirt your rules. On the flip...