Tips To Manage Guest Screening For Vacation Rentals

Buying real estate remains a highly desirable venture for Americans today. About 35% of the country’s population say it’s their preferred long-term investment option.

One real estate investment approach that’s especially lucrative is a rental property. In particular, many Americans are choosing to put money into vacation rental property. The sector is experiencing a boom at the moment, with revenues of $20 billion expected in 2025, up from $13.3 billion in 2021.

Vacation rental property can prove incredibly profitable, but only if you manage it well. One task you’ll need to master is guest screening.

Guest vetting helps ensure that you only get quality occupants of your rental property. These are the type of guests who’ll be respectful of your property, pay their rent on time, and help you avoid any legal problems down the road.

But how do you go about vetting potential guests? Read on to find out.

Verify Their Identity

It can be difficult to know who to trust when renting out your vacation home. You want to be sure that your guests are reputable and will take care of your property, but you also don’t want to be too intrusive.

One way to strike a balance is to require a photo ID as part of the check-in process. This will help you to verify the identity of your guests and ensure that they are who they say they are.

In addition, it will also help you to keep track of who is staying in your vacation rental at any given time.

Requiring a photo ID may seem like a small measure, but it can make a big difference in protecting your property and ensuring that your guests have an enjoyable stay.

Check References

As any homeowner who has rented out their property on Airbnb knows, one of the most important aspects of guest screening is checking references.

Thankfully, Airbnb and VRBO have made this process easier than ever with their two-sided review system. Before approving a guest, take some time to read through their reviews from other hosts.

The reviews will give you a good idea of what to expect from the guest. It will help you make an informed decision about whether or not they are right for your vacation rental.

In addition, it is always a good idea to reach out to the references directly if possible. This will give you a chance to ask specific questions about the guest and get a more detailed understanding of their character.

By taking the time to screen guests thoroughly, you can help ensure that your rental experience is positive for both you and your guests.

Require a Security Deposit

There are a number of reasons why requiring a security deposit is essential when screening guests for your vacation rental.

First, it helps to protect your property from damage. If a guest causes any damage during their stay, you can deduct the cost of repairs from the security deposit.

Secondly, it provides you with financial protection in the event that a guest fails to pay rent or leaves early. Finally, it shows that the guest is serious about taking care of your property.

An alternative to security deposits is to require a Visa hold. This is when you put a hold on a guest’s credit card for the amount of the security deposit. The funds are not actually charged to the card unless there is damage to the property or the guest does not pay rent.

However, this should be optional. Not all hosts will require a security deposit, but it is something to consider if you are concerned about the risks associated with renting out your vacation home.

Create House Rules

Before you start screening guests, it’s important to have a clear idea of what kind of behavior you expect from them. This means creating house rules that outline what is and isn’t allowed on your property.

When creating house rules, be sure to include essential information such as:

• Check-in and check-out times
• Expected noise levels
• Restrictions on smoking or pets

You should also make it clear what amenities are available for guests to use, and what kind of behavior is not tolerated.

Once you have these rules in place, you can use them as criteria for screening guests. For example, if one of your house rules is “no smoking,” you can eliminate any potential guests who smoke from your pool of applicants.

Finally, be sure to enforce your rules consistently. That way, you’ll maintain a respectful and enjoyable environment for all.

Hire a Vacation Property Management Company

After all the hassle of investing in a vacation property, you probably want to take a seat and let someone else take over the guest screening process. That’s a great idea as it frees you to focus on other things while a competent team vets potential guests.

By handing over this responsibility to a team of experts, you get peace of mind knowing that your guests are thoroughly prescreened. You also gain access to valuable insights and best practices that can help you make the most out of each rental.

Property managers are an invaluable resource for any vacation rental owner. By working with a property manager, you can take the guesswork out of screening guests and focus on more important things, like enjoying your time off.

Use Guest Screening for the Best Experience in Your Vacation Rentals

Screening guests is an essential part of running a successful vacation rental. By taking the time to carefully vet potential guests, you can help ensure that your property is well taken care of and that everyone has a positive experience.

Working with a professional property management company can take the guesswork out of the guest screening and give you peace of mind knowing that your guests are thoroughly vetted.

If you’re looking for help managing your vacation rental property, The Renté Group can assist you. We have years of experience vetting guests and ensuring that your property is well taken care of. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how we can help you.