Mornington Peninsula is one of the largest holiday destinations in Australia, welcoming over 1.6 million visitors every year. This growth creates a profitable venture for holiday rental property owners.
However, it also comes with challenges, particularly in managing single beach houses or multiple short-stay rentals. Running vacation rentals can feel like a stressful second job without the right systems. Therefore, this guide provides effective ways on how to manage a holiday rental property without stress.
Pain points if you’re managing multiple properties, and how to solve them
Scaling your holiday rentals often comes with more responsibilities. A single holiday accommodation can quickly grow into endless hours of communication, cleaning, and guest management. Below are the biggest challenges you can face and practical tips to solve them.
Consistency of guest experience across all properties
Delivering the same level of guest experience in multiple short-rental properties can be tricky. One property may feel welcoming with modern amenities, while another may feel neglected. These gaps can push away guests and leave some questioning your professionalism.
To ensure consistency:
- Develop a standard checklist for each property with all essentials, cleaning routines, and welcome touches.
- Use automation tools to send uniform communication, like check-in instructions and local recommendations.
- Create a property manual template so every guest enjoys the same helpful guide.
Keeping reviews and ratings high everywhere
Positive reviews are crucial for a profitable holiday rental business. However, handling guest complaints and feedback can be overwhelming. A delay in responding to a message or a missed detail in cleaning can quickly impact your ratings.
To stay on top of reviews, especially when looking for how to attract guests:
- Schedule time each day to respond to messages promptly.
- Automate review requests so no guest feels overlooked.
- Keep a process in place for handling guest feedback quickly and professionally.
Legal and compliance differences between locations
Not all rental properties are subject to the same legal regulations. Councils across the Mornington Peninsula have varying requirements for fire, safety equipment, waste management, and maximum guest limits. Keeping track of these regulations for multiple properties can be challenging.
Tips to stay compliant without stress include:
- Research each council’s short-stay rental regulations and keep them documented.
- Set reminders to renew permits or licenses.
- Consider working with a property manager like Go Coastal, who knows the compliance landscape.
Time management & burnout
At first, hosting seems like a fun side project. But as bookings grow, the workload of cleaning, turnovers, and guest communication can lead to burnout. As a host, you may find yourself answering late-night messages or juggling endless to-do lists, which can steal your family and personal time.
To avoid burnout while still making profits:
- Delegate routine tasks like cleaning and lawn care to trusted professionals.
- Use scheduling software to plan turnovers and maintenance.
- Be realistic about how many properties you can handle without support.
Tips to minimise your time when managing holiday rentals
Managing holiday rentals shouldn’t be about choosing between profitability and peace of mind. Here are tips to significantly minimise the time spent on day-to-day responsibilities while satisfying your guests.
Automate the guest messages that might drain your time
Answering the same questions every time can be draining. Automation tools provide guests with all the essential information they need at the right moment. For instance, pre-scheduled and personalised messages ensure timely and consistent communication, reducing the risk of missed questions.
Practical ways to automate communication include:
- Using property management systems and agencies that integrate with scheduled booking and automated messaging.
- Draft professional templates for common scenarios like booking confirmations, check-in instructions, and thank-you notes.
- Add a “welcome guide” PDF or digital guestbook to answer frequently asked questions upfront.
Make cleaning & turnovers run without you
Cleaning is a non-negotiable in short-stay rentals, but managing it yourself can quickly become overwhelming. A reliable cleaning team connected to your booking calendar ensures every property is guest-ready without you needing to step in. Clear checklists and contracts keep standards high and stress low.
Tips for streamlining cleaning and maintenance include:
- Share live booking calendars with your cleaners so they know when turnovers are required.
- Use rental property management and listing services that offer protection for guest damages.
- Create a property-specific cleaning checklist and contract that outlines the house rules and who is responsible for damages.
Say goodbye to key handovers
Meeting guests for every key drop-off can eat up hours and create headaches when travel plans change. Keyless entry systems or lockboxes make arrivals smoother and safer. Guests enjoy flexible self-check-in, and you reclaim valuable time – especially helpful if you manage more than one property.
To simplify access:
- Install smart locks that generate unique codes for each guest.
- Update access codes remotely to enhance security.
- Send automated instructions with photos or videos to guide guests through self-check-in.
Simplify your pricing with the right tools
Setting rates manually is time-consuming and risky. Dynamic pricing tools automatically adjust your nightly rates based on demand, season, and competition. This keeps your calendar full and your profits steady, without the guesswork.
Tips for profitable and stress-free pricing include:
- Use platforms like PriceLabs, Wheelhouse, or Beyond Pricing to automate rate adjustments.
- Set base prices and minimum stay requirements to protect profitability.
- Regularly review the analytics these tools provide to fine-tune your overall pricing strategy.
Where to find the right help for your holiday rental
Managing multiple holiday homes is rewarding, but it’s rarely simple. That’s where Go Coastal steps in. With over 30 years of hospitality and tourism expertise, we take the stress out of property management so you can focus on the benefits of ownership.
When you work with Go Coastal, you can count on:
- Seamless guest experience: Professional cleaning, maintenance, and 7-day support.
- Smart pricing strategies: Dynamic tools and local market insights to maximise occupancy and returns.
- Marketing reach: Professional photography, copywriting, and listings across top booking platforms.
- Compliance confidence: Guidance with council regulations and secure management of bookings.
- Owner transparency: Access to your personal portal for tracking bookings, income, and guest updates.
With a local team who genuinely knows the Mornington Peninsula, Go Coastal combines professional systems with personal care. Ready to take the stress out of managing your holiday rental? List your holiday home with us today and learn how we can make hosting hassle-free.