5 Features to Look for when Choosing a Property Management Service

​Thinking of using a property management service to manage your vacation rentals, Airbnb or apartments?  Here are five key features to watch for before choosing a service...

If you're thinking of using a property management service for your Airbnb vacation rentals or turnkey rentals, there are some key features you should look for before making a commitment. You'll want the best possible service while also earning maximum profits for your property. Here are five major features every property management service should offer.

1. Excellent Customer Service

Your guests will remember you by the service they receive during their stay at your villa rental, apartment or vacation rental. The property management service you choose should offer excellent customer service and be able to provide testimonials from satisfied property owners. Your guests should arrive to a clean villa, home or apartment. 

If renting for a vacation, an attraction location or during some other holiday, each guest should receive a welcome packet including directions to the rental property as well as helpful information about the surrounding area. If you have an apartment for rent, tenants should be treated well. Rental payment collection, service maintenance and assistance with local utility and phone set-ups should be provided which the later only applicable for vacation rentals with friendliness and thoroughness.

2. Cleaning Management

A property management service should provide reliable cleaning management. You might live too far away to handle cleaning or manage a maid service which you should out source. If you live in England or the U.S., but your vacation rental or apartment for rent is located in Dubai, Italy, Puerto Rico, or Elviria of Spain, then you'll need a property management service that will handle cleaning with care. For holiday rentals and villa rentals, cleaning must be provided between each guests' stay and sometimes during the week of a stay as well. For vacation homes and villas, the lawn must be maintained as well. Be sure this is included with your service.

3. Key Holding, Inventory, and Detailed Necessities

You may not be able to handle local errands for your vacation rental or apartment for rent. Therefore, the property management service should be entrusted with these tasks. Some necessities to keep the rental property operating legally include key holding, insurance, property tax and levies, building permits or licensing, bank account management, phone and utility set up and billing, etc. 

Another area of importance is inventory.  The furniture and other valuables in your apartment or villa rental must be kept on an inventory list and checked physically each time a guest departs. If you live in another country but own rental property in an area of Spain such as Costa del Sol, Marbella, Benalmadena or any other area, then obviously you're going to need someone locally who can check your inventory for you. Choose a property management service that provides these types of services to eliminate worries while you're away.

4. Building Refurbishing and Major Repairs

Another feature to look for in a property management service is whether or not they provide building refurbishing services and major repairs. The benefit of this is the provider will already have contacts to do the jobs needed. You won't have to spend endless hours trying to find a dependable contractor or handyman.

​5. Promoting Your Apartment, Airbnb or Rentals

Check to be sure the property management service will promote your apartment for rent or vacation rental. Promotions will increase your number of rentals and profits each year. A property management service may handle your advertising in local, national and international venues. If they have a website, they may promote your vacation rentals at the site. If you own a vacation rental near golf courses, then make sure they will advertise your rental from the angle of "golf holidays."

Keep these features in mind during your search for a property management service. By choosing a service with great features, you'll have peace of mind knowing that your vacation rental or apartment for rent is in good hands!

Author

​​Benjamin. is experienced as a property Wholesaler, Fix & Flip and Turnkey Rental Property Sells throughout the United States.