Managing your rental from a distance

Someone local, always

Whether it is a manager, a co-host or a trusted cleaner, someone within easy reach must be able to get into the home, deal with a guest problem and meet a tradesperson. Agree clearly what they can decide on their own, and have a backup for when they are away.

Access that does not need you

Keyless access, a key safe or a smart lock mean that guests, cleaners and tradespeople can get in without a key handover. Keep a record of who has which code, and change codes regularly.

See what is happening

• A shared calendar of bookings, owner stays and planned work.
• Photos after each turnover, taken from the same angles.
• Guest reviews read as soon as they appear.
• If you use connected devices — a thermostat, a water leak detector, a noise sensor that measures volume only — know who receives the alerts and who acts on them. Tell guests about any device in the house manual.

Plan for the emergency

Write down, in one place, what happens if the water leaks, the power fails, the heating breaks or the lock jams: who the guest calls, who goes, who pays, and when you are told. Share it with your local team and test it in your head once a season: if it happened tonight, would it work?

Visit with a purpose

When you do visit, use the time well: stay as a guest for a night, look at the home with fresh eyes, meet your team, and walk through the maintenance log together. One focused visit does more than many anxious messages.