If you currently own a property, and are interested in transforming it into a short term rental, there are several things you must consider before making the transition.

In general, creating a new project for yourself is a great way to keep you busy and your mind active. However, doing something this intensive can prove to be rather laborious. The best way to ensure that your short term rental transformation succeeds is to thoughtfully plan out how you want to make the transition.

Things to consider when transitioning your home into a str

The first thing to consider when transitioning your property into a short-term rental is whether you have enough time to dedicate to managing it effectively. Operating a short-term rental can significantly increase your workload, as being an active host involves a variety of tasks, including handling guest inquiries, coordinating bookings, managing check-ins and check-outs, and maintaining the property. If you have a busy schedule or other commitments, this increased demand on your time could be a significant concern.

However, there are strategies to help alleviate some of the stress associated with managing a short-term rental. One effective solution is to utilize a Property Management System (PMS). A PMS can streamline many of the administrative and operational tasks involved in running a rental, such as automating booking processes, managing reservations across multiple platforms, and coordinating cleaning schedules. By leveraging such tools, you can reduce the time and effort required to manage your property, making the transition to a short-term rental more manageable.

If the prospect of increased responsibilities still feels overwhelming, consider exploring additional support options, such as hiring a property manager or partnering with a co-host. These resources can provide valuable assistance and help ensure that your short-term rental operation runs smoothly, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of renting out your property without being burdened by the day-to-day challenges.

Depending on where you live, there may be a number of restrictions you’ll have to adhere to and applications that must be submitted. It is imperative that you follow these guidelines so your hobby project doesn’t turn into a nightmare.  These restrictions are there to guide your process, so although they’ll be frustrating, stick with it. In Toronto, Canada, a recent regulation was put in place to regulate the definition of what a short term rental is, and how it should operate. If you live in Toronto and want to learn more, you can read our article about the Toronto Short Term Rental Regulations here.

Besides restrictions and applications, the next step is to determine what type of rental you’re going for. This is where your creativity kicks in, and you can really experiment with the layout and design.  You have full control over what happens during this step, but remember that you still have to make it accessible to potential guests wanting to rent.

At the end of the day, the decision of whether or not to convert your property into a short term rental is purely up to you, but like always there will always be something that you have to consider (i.e restrictions) or modify (i.e accessibility).  A short term rental is an exciting and hands on project that takes a lot of work, but when done right, can really be rewarding — figuratively and literally.