Behind The Scenes of Holiday Rental Management

To many, managing a holiday home sounds simple—create a listing, hand over the keys, and collect the income. But behind every 5-star guest review and sparkling clean home lies a complex, fast-moving operation that most guests (and even some owners) never see.

At Lakeshores Accommodation, managing short-term rentals across Lake Macquarie isn’t just about bookings—it’s about coordination, compliance, communication, and care. Here’s a look at what really happens behind the scenes of professional holiday rental management.

1. Preparing the Property: More Than Just a Clean

Every guest deserves to walk into a holiday home that feels fresh, safe, and ready to enjoy. Behind the scenes, that means:

• Detailed cleaning checklists and trained housekeeping teams

• Quality linen supply, changeover tracking, and restocking essentials

• Power cords safely positioned, lamps tested, windows wiped, and even coat hangers aligned

• A final walk-through with photo documentation for quality control

It’s not just cleaning—it’s staging a memorable stay, every single time.

2. Maintenance and Emergencies

From leaking taps to power outages, things happen. A proactive manager:

• Schedules routine checks (e.g. smoke alarms, pool testing, lawns, spas)

• Keeps reliable trades on standby for fast fixes

• Communicates with guests clearly and professionally

• Manages repair invoices, trust accounting, and owner approvals

What looks like a quiet weekend might involve a plumber at 7am and a follow-up with the housekeeper before check-in at 2pm.

3. Guest Vetting, Support & Communication

Before a guest even arrives, there’s a system in place:

• ID checks, guest registration,

• STRA compliance

• SMS-based support for fast responses

• After-hours procedures and escalation processes

• Monitoring for excessive noise (with privacy-respecting sensors)

• Friendly reminders and problem-solving without confrontation

This means fewer risks, fewer complaints—and happier guests, owners and neighbours.

4. Calendar Management & Dynamic Pricing

We don’t just set a rate and hope for the best. Instead, we:

• Adjust prices based on local events, seasonal demand, and competitor activity

• Block out calendar gaps to ensure cleaning availability

• Strategically manage minimum night stays and promotions (e.g. Stay 4, Pay 3 deals)

• Handle multi-platform syncing and avoid double bookings

It’s part maths, part market insight, and part digital juggling.

5. Owner Communication and Compliance

From monthly statements to last-minute requests, we keep owners informed:

• Transparent trust accounting and regular financial reports

• STRA license renewals and guest cap monitoring

• Recommendations for improvements or upgrades

• Handling tribunal documentation and bond claims if needed

It’s a relationship built on trust, professionalism, and shared goals.