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Step 1
1. Cleanliness. One of the most common rental problems is the issue of cleanliness. Because many vacation home owners do not live near their properties, it is imperative to find a reliable housekeeper whose work meets your standards. Providing your housekeeper with a cleaning checklist is the first step in avoiding one of the top vacation rental complaints.
Beyond your housekeeper's duties, you must also establish a clear check-in policy with your renters. This gives renters the chance to report any issues up front, and will allow you or your housekeeper to address the rental complaint immediately. -
Step 2
2. General Complaints. It is difficult to please everyone all the time, so at some point or another you will receive a rental complaint. Whether you mess up in your directions or something in your home breaks, there is a wide range of minor rental problems. Instead of offering your renters a refund, consider offering your guests an extra night or two at your vacation home or sending them a gift certificate for a local restaurant. For more serious rental complaints, you might offer a free or discounted future stay. In either case, you should evaluate the situation and consider other options before issuing a refund.
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Step 3
2. General Complaints. It is difficult to please everyone all the time, so at some point or another you will receive a rental complaint. Whether you mess up in your directions or something in your home breaks, there is a wide range of minor rental problems. Instead of offering your renters a refund, consider offering your guests an extra night or two at your vacation home or sending them a gift certificate for a local restaurant. For more serious rental complaints, you might offer a free or discounted future stay. In either case, you should evaluate the situation and consider other options before issuing a refund.
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Step 4
4. Evictions. Although evictions are rare, they should be considered one of the risks and problems of renting. Vacation rental owners should be prepared just in case an eviction becomes necessary. Proper screening should weed out true problem renters, but the most common issue is miscommunication about a check-out time or date. You can help avoid this rental problem by making sure to have everything spelled out clearly in writing when communicating to renters. However, you should also be prepared for the worst and research your local policies on eviction for short-term renters.
