Key Takeaways:

• Short let management is the key to protecting your property despite frequent use without compromising its earning potential.
• Wear and tear is normal for short-term rentals, and it involves minor scuffs or anything that’s caused by frequent use. Damage is caused by misuse.
• Proactive protection is one of the strategies that can minimise the impact of guests on your home. This includes investing in durable materials, conducting regular inspections, etc.
• Efficient housekeeping ensures issues are handled quickly so that problems won’t escalate into costly major repairs for property owners.
• Partner with a property management company to provide expertise, systems and resources to preserve your property’s value while maximising its income.

Why Short Let Management Is Necessary

Deciding to rent out your property as a short-term rental in London opens it to people from all over the world. With London being one of the top destinations among travellers, the demand for short lets in the city is high. This also means you get people from all walks of life to stay in your property.

While this brings significant financial rewards, it can also hurt your property’s condition. Every time someone books your property, they speed up its natural wear and tear.

How can you enjoy the high earning potential from short-term letting without compromising your property?

This is where short let management comes in. It’s the key to protecting your property from the damage that may come after bookings.

Short let management ensures a short-term rental property retains its value while elevating the guest experience, maximising occupancy rates and income potential.

What happens after bookings…

Once a guest checks out, your property won’t look exactly as it did when they checked in. Two things can happen.

One involves damages. These include breaks caused by misuse. For instance, damaging a table or chair after standing on it, having multiple broken plates and glasses or a hole in the wall after being kicked in. These are all damages you can charge guests (or file an insurance claim for).

The other involves wear and tear. These include:

• Items in the wrong place
• Scuff marks on the wall and floor
• Chipped or broken plates and glasses
• Fading or stains in fabrics
• Loose handles (door, cabinets, etc.)

Unlike damages, wear and tear are all regular occurrences that you can’t charge guests for. While these may be minor incidents and considered a part of hosting, they can still add up over time.

This is why you need a proper short let management plan. It ensures that every booking won’t compromise your property’s value, and damage or wear and tear will be promptly dealt with.

How To Minimise Wear and Tear in Short Let Properties

Minimising the effects of short-term letting on properties is possible with property planning and management. Here are key strategies that can preserve your home’s condition and value.

• Invest in durable furnishings. Choose high-quality furniture and finishes that can withstand frequent use. These include sturdy flooring, doors and windows. You should also invest in quality home appliances and take advantage of any warranties offered.
• Document everything. Make a list of everything in the property and take a photo to document its condition before renting it out. This will help identify what is normal wear and tear and actual damage caused by guests. It’s also useful when making claims with your insurance company.
• Set clear house rules. Provide guidelines for the house and include it in the property listing. This way, guests will know what they can or cannot do even before they book the property. You should also have a printed copy of the rules in your shortlet. Put it in a visible place to serve as a reminder for your guests.
• Conduct regular inspections. Schedule a regular inspection of the property to note any changes and document any wear and tear or damage. This can be done quickly in between bookings, specifically while the housekeeping team is cleaning the property. You should also schedule a more thorough inspection every quarter. This will determine if there are maintenance or repair needs. Early detection will keep minor issues from turning into costly repairs.

Partner with a Reputable Property Management Company

Work with a reputable property management company to provide short let management. They have a team that can monitor and protect your property while maximising occupancy rates. They have the expertise and systems in place to ensure all complex tasks are handled promptly. They’ll take care of cleaning, maintenance, repairs and inventory monitoring. They will help you enjoy the benefits of hosting short-term guests without stressing about wear and tear or damage.

How City Relay Protects Properties After Bookings

City Relay is a property management company in London that specialises in short-term rental management. We’ve managed thousands of properties and have completed tens of thousands of bookings.

We have an integrated in-house approach to short let management that comes with a dedicated account manager to ensure that your home is protected and profitable.

Local expertise

We pride ourselves on the expertise we’ve accumulated over the years. Our leadership team holds decades of experience in the private rental property market. This translates into the innovative systems we use to manage shortlets.

From creating professional property listings and dealing with guest communication to handling check-ins and check-outs and housekeeping, we’ll take care of every aspect of property operations.

We’ll make sure your guests will enjoy a seamless stay so they can give positive feedback that, in turn, will help you get more bookings in the future.

In-house housekeeping and maintenance

This service is what sets City Relay apart. Our in-house housekeeping and maintenance service has impressed the property owners in the City Relay community. With everything managed in-house, we can respond to issues with speed and efficiency. This allows us to provide the highest standard of cleanliness and property maintenance.

Proactive guest management

We also have a dedicated team ensuring every guest inquiry and concern is addressed immediately. This provides a smooth experience for guests as they enjoy an elevated and memorable stay.

Thanks to our guest management team’s dedication, guests have more reasons to leave positive feedback that will encourage future bookings.

Smart platform for monitoring

City Relay uses an innovative platform to provide complete transparency on all shortlet properties. Property owners get access to this platform so they can check the property’s performance, monitor profitability, view booking calendars, ensure compliance and track the schedule of housekeeping and maintenance. 

This platform allows property owners to stay on top of their properties without the need to be involved in the busy short let management.

Inspections and compliance checks

Part of City Relay’s property management service includes ensuring property inspections are done regularly so your shortlet stays compliant with local rules and regulations. Our smart platforms help us monitor compliance and certificates. This doesn’t just help you comply with industry standards; it also ensures your property is protected and safe at all times.

This will give you peace of mind even as guest bookings and occupancy rates increase.

FAQs About Short Let Management

Proper short let management is the key to maximising your property’s profitability and occupancy rate. Learn more about managing short-term rentals in London.

How can I protect my properties against damage from guests?

Working with a professional property management company is the best way to protect your property. Companies like City Relay have in-house teams to ensure every property is monitored and regularly inspected. They can act on issues promptly to keep them from becoming major repairs.

How can I keep my property in good condition while short-letting?

Conduct regular inspections, invest in quality furnishings and partner with a professional management company that can help keep your property in premium condition.

Do City Relay services include maintenance and repairs?

Yes, our services include a dedicated in-house maintenance team. We also have a network of tradespeople who can come immediately for more complex maintenance issues and repairs. This allows us to deliver efficient and reliable solutions to protect your property.

What counts as wear and tear vs damage in short lets?

Wear and tear includes loose handles, small scuffs on the floor and minor scratches caused by frequent use. Damage happens when items are broken because they’re not used properly or neglected.

Enjoy Peace of Mind Through Short Let Management

Short-term letting is a profitable venture, but it comes with challenges that can compromise the value and condition of your property. While the risk is there, you shouldn’t let it keep you from enjoying the rewards of short letting.

There are proactive strategies that can help you protect your property. These include investing in durable furnishings, outlining the house rules clearly, conducting regular inspections, and documenting the inventory in the property.

You can also partner with a property management company like City Relay that specialises in short let management. We understand the intricacies of the short-term rental market in London, and we can protect your home without affecting its earning potential.

Find out how much your property can earn through short-term letting. Get a free rental estimate now.