How to Check a Short-Term Rental Manager Before Hiring
What to review before hiring a short-term rental manager, from current listings and pricing to guest reviews, fees and owner reporting.
Justin Feldstein
Founder, Haus Vacation Rentals · Licensed NYS Real Estate Broker
Review a manager's current listings and guest reviews before you interview them. Then ask for the documents and examples that show how they run a home like yours.
Read a few listings
Start with homes similar to yours in size, location and amenities. Look at the photos and their order, the description of the rooms and amenities, and how clearly the listing explains pet rules, cleaning fees, deposits and cancellation terms.
Ask for comparable booking results
Request rates, occupancy and the period covered. Ask how the manager accounts for the season and for nights when owners use their homes. A public calendar can show which nights are available but cannot tell you why others are blocked. Ask how the manager reviews nightly rates as demand changes.
Look for patterns in guest reviews
Read recent reviews across several listings. Pay attention to repeated comments about cleaning, arrival, communication and repairs. Ask how the manager addressed any recurring problem.
Check the fees and agreement
Request the full fee schedule, a sample owner statement and a copy of the agreement. Use our interview checklist to ask who owns the listing, what the manager charges and what happens to bookings when the agreement ends.
