Short term rentals can be hugely rewarding, but they’re also a lot more work than a traditional tenancy. Between guest communication, cleaning, pricing, and regulations, managing short term rentals quickly turns into a second job if you don’t have the right structure or support in place.
In this guide, we’ll break down what actually goes into running a short-term rental day to day, the systems you need to run things smoothly, and how a professional partner can turn your property into a truly hands-off, high-performing asset. If you’d like support beyond this guide, you can explore Keey’s full range of short-term rental management services.
What Does Managing Short Term Rentals Really Involve?
On the surface, this type of hosting looks simple: list the property, accept bookings, hand over the keys. In reality, managing short term rentals is a chain of tasks that need to run like clockwork:
- Creating and optimising listings on platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com
- Responding quickly to enquiries and booking requests
- Handling guest check-in and check-out
- Organising professional cleaning and laundry
- Restocking toiletries and essentials
- Adjusting nightly rates based on demand
- Dealing with maintenance issues and wear and tear
Once you see how many moving parts there are, it’s easier to understand why trying to self-manage without a clear plan can quickly become overwhelming.
Getting the Basics Right: Property, Compliance, and Safety
Before you even think about guests, your property and compliance setup need to be in order. Your responsibilities will depend on your location and local rules, but in many major cities there are limits on how many days per year you can offer short-term lets, as well as planning and registration requirements.
Alongside this, safe hosting usually includes:
- Up-to-date gas and electrical safety checks
- Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms
- Clear fire exits and basic fire safety equipment
- Appropriate short-let insurance
When you take compliance seriously, managing short term rentals becomes more secure and sustainable, and you reduce the risk of costly problems later. For more detail on what’s involved, Keey’s short let regulations and compliance FAQ explains how professional day-to-day management works for Airbnbs and other short-term rentals.
If you’d like to see how a professional partner can handle the foundations, operations and guest experience together, you can explore the full range of short-term rental management services offered by Keey.
Optimising Your Listing: Photos, Copy, and Pricing
A strong listing is at the heart of successful short term rental management. The goal is simple: attract the right guests, achieve healthy occupancy, and earn competitive nightly rates.
Professional Photography and Staging
Good images are essential. Bright, well-composed photos help your property stand out in competitive search results. Many successful hosts work with a photographer or follow best practices such as decluttering, staging, and shooting in natural light.
Conversion-Focused Listing Copy
When you are managing short term rentals, your listing copy should do more than describe the basics. It should:
- Highlight key location advantages, such as transport links and local amenities
- Clearly describe the layout, number of beds, and who the property is suitable for
- Set expectations around house rules and noise
- Emphasise special features, such as stylish design, dedicated workspace, or views
Clear, honest copy leads to fewer questions, fewer complaints, and better reviews.
Dynamic Pricing and Occupancy
Static pricing is one of the biggest hidden profit killers in managing short term rentals. A data-led approach means adjusting nightly rates based on seasonality, local demand, events, and weekday versus weekend patterns. Even small changes in average nightly rate or occupancy can have a big impact on your annual income.
If you want to see how a professional team approaches this, you can read more about Keey’s property management rentals service, which focuses on optimising returns and simplifying ownership.
Operations: Guest Experience, Cleaning, and Maintenance
Even the best listing will fail if your operations aren’t reliable. This is where managing short term rentals often becomes most time-consuming for owners.
Guest Communication and Check-In
Guests expect quick, friendly, and helpful communication. That includes fast replies to pre-booking questions, clear check-in instructions, and being reachable during the stay if anything goes wrong. Many hosts use tools like saved replies, message templates, and digital guidebooks to save time and keep messaging consistent.
Cleaning, Linen, and Restocking
Turnover days can be stressful if you’re handling everything yourself. Coordinating cleaners, linen, and supplies is one of the core challenges of running short-term rentals, especially when bookings are back-to-back. The most successful operations rely on a consistent cleaning schedule, detailed checklists, and reliable suppliers for linens and essentials.
Ongoing Maintenance
Short-term guests naturally create more wear and tear than a single long-term tenant. Staying on top of maintenance means regular checks, quick responses to issues, and carrying out preventative work before small problems become bigger ones.
If you’d like to see what a fully managed, end-to-end operational setup looks like, you can explore Keey’s Airbnb management in London, which covers listing, pricing, cleaning, communication and more.
Tracking Performance: Revenue, Occupancy, and Reviews
To know whether managing short term rentals is working for you, you need to look at the numbers as well as guest feedback. Some key metrics to track include:
- Average nightly rate over time
- Occupancy rate month by month
- Total revenue compared with your costs and any management fees
- Booking lead time and cancellation rates
- Review scores for cleanliness, accuracy, and communication
Reviews are a critical performance indicator. Consistent five-star ratings help your property rank higher in search results and attract more bookings.
If you’re comparing self-management with using a management company, it helps to understand how fees are structured and what’s included. Keey provides clear information on short term rental pricing and fees, so you can see how management fits into your overall returns.
Should You Manage Short Term Rentals Yourself or Use a Professional?
For some owners, managing short term rentals personally makes sense. It can work well if you live close to the property, have flexible time, and enjoy being hands-on with guests and operations.
However, many property owners prefer a fully managed solution, especially if they:
- Live far away from the property
- Have multiple properties to oversee
- Want their investment to be as hands-off as possible
In that case, working with a professional short-term rental management company can help you benefit from the short-let market without taking on another job. If you’d like to see what this looks like in practice, you can read more about why property owners choose Keey and explore additional short let hosting insights on the Keey blog.
Final Thoughts: Turning Short Lets into a Sustainable Strategy
Managing short term rentals doesn’t have to mean late-night messages, rushed turnovers, and constant stress. With the right foundations, smart pricing, strong operations, and clear performance tracking, you can turn your property into a reliable income stream.
Whether you choose to stay hands-on or work with a professional manager, understanding what really goes into managing short term rentals will help you make better decisions, protect your property, and create great experiences for guests.
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