Continuing on the topic we discussed last week, we want to delve into how sustainability impacts the operation of your short-term rental. Embracing eco-friendly practices not only helps the environment but can also enhance the appeal of your property to increasingly eco-conscious travelers. To provide you with actionable insights, we reached out to Borrum Energy Solutions, a leading expert in sustainable energy solutions, who shared some valuable tips for property managers.

Borrum Energy Solutions emphasizes the importance of incorporating energy-efficient technologies and practices in your rental property. Simple changes like installing LED lighting, optimizing heating and cooling systems, and using smart thermostats can significantly reduce your energy consumption and lower utility costs. Additionally, implementing water-saving fixtures and promoting recycling and waste reduction can further enhance your property’s sustainability profile.

Moreover, Borrum Energy Solutions suggests highlighting these eco-friendly features in your property listings to attract guests who prioritize sustainability. By showcasing your commitment to green practices, you can differentiate your rental from others and appeal to a growing segment of environmentally-conscious travelers.

Incorporating these sustainable practices not only contributes to environmental conservation but also positions your property as a responsible and forward-thinking choice. This can lead to higher guest satisfaction, positive reviews, and potentially increased bookings from guests who value eco-friendly accommodations.

Sustainability

Being a property manager or a landlord may seem simple, but there are many additional responsibilities and costs associated with this role. Maintenance and updates are a huge cost for landlords plus there are government regulations put in place to ensure these are upheld. This means the property manager does not simply walk away with whatever their renters paid. This money is further divided into paying property taxes, maintenance updates (i.e., painting, repairs, new appliances, etc.) along with other surprise expenses. That being said, if these updates are consistent, it creates property value which is beneficial for both the renter and the tenant.

Switching to sustainable microgeneration energy can be a great way to save on costs and that can otherwise be the owner’s profit or even used as an emergency fund for the property. Additionally, if your property is listed as an environmentally friendly dwelling, it increases the renter attraction. It’s a simple give and take; if you are offering ecofriendly amenities, you will require less effort to acquire renters/sublets. Tenants will be proud to know they are using green energy which is also beneficial to our community and our wallets. Eco friendly homes tend to fall into their own niche making them appealing.

There are many options available to pursue this sustainable path. Microgeneration wind power is a viable possibility depending on the wind profile of your residence. If you are interested in learning more about this option, be sure to check out this Canadian made wind turbine: The Anorra. This microgeneration turbine has been tested to survive even the harshest Canadian winters, making it a durable product to invest in. For the price of a depreciating jacuzzi, you can invest in appreciating energy sources.

If you have any questions regarding microgeneration or aspects of becoming a greener, more sustainable host, feel free to visit Borrum Energy Solutions’ website or email us at contact@ensoconnect.com.

Now more than ever, you may find yourself feeling busier and more stressed out. In your quest to destress, you aim to simplify aspects of your life that consume significant time and energy. As you go through your mental list of tasks, you eventually land on your vacation home or rental property. This item makes you scratch your head—it’s the one you’ve dreaded addressing because it has been put off for so long. Maintaining the property and being a gracious host while juggling family, pets, and other responsibilities takes up an enormous amount of time and energy.

So, what are your options? Do you stop renting out your property and forgo the income, or do you continue to dread managing it? What if there’s actually a secret third option you haven’t considered: transforming your rental property from one that relies heavily on you to a self-sustaining venture? By leveraging technology and automation, you can streamline management tasks, reduce your involvement, and still enjoy the benefits of renting out your property without the constant stress. This approach allows you to maintain a successful rental business while regaining valuable time and peace of mind.

This might initially feel like an added stressor—reworking the entire way you manage your rental. However, starting fresh can actually create opportunities for improvement that weren’t possible before. Imagine transforming every aspect causing you stress and then having your rental run even more smoothly than before. Hopefully, you’re optimistic about this potential.

Let’s get started: take a close look at your rental and identify what causes you the most anguish. Are you finding it challenging to respond to guests’ messages because you’re too busy? Or perhaps you struggle to thoroughly clean your property as demand increases? Make a list of these issues. More often than not, you’ll discover that the most frustrating aspects can be effectively addressed with automation. By implementing automated systems, you can streamline operations, reduce manual tasks, and enhance the efficiency of your rental property management. This approach not only alleviates stress but also helps ensure a seamless and positive experience for your guests.

Having a guest check in is a bit of a nail biting process.  Unlike hotels with multi person concierge, when a guest checks into their short term rental, they’re completely on their own. You’re constantly checking to see if they’ve got in alright, and there hasn’t been any trouble finding the key.   When automating this process, you’ll notice that guests rely on themselves and the technology to check in.  Having a smart lock and key system can allow you to remotely let them in, just in case they are having troubles as well! Right there, you’ve removed the stress of the guest and your stress when trying to access your rental. But the automation doesn’t stop there when checking in. Wouldn’t it be great if you could have the cleanings taken care of too?

Set Yourself Up for a Stress Free Rental Properties

Well, with certain Property Management Software (PMS) options, you can automate this process too. By setting up automatic scheduling for house cleanings after a guest checks out, you free yourself in multiple ways. First, you eliminate the need to clean the property yourself—especially important during times like COVID-19, where ensuring thorough sanitation and avoiding personal risk are priorities.

Second, automating the cleaning schedule saves you valuable time and reduces mental clutter. You no longer have to manage the entire cleaning process or worry about whether your property has been properly prepared for the next guest. This peace of mind allows you to focus on other aspects of your life and business, knowing that your property is in capable hands. With a well-integrated PMS, your rental management becomes more efficient, secure, and stress-free.

What if your guest has a question about your rental? What if you have multiple guests at the moment? Well, it seems like you’re getting stretched thin trying to answer these questions.  Luckily, some PMS options have multi-channel management where you can access all of your guests’ messages all in one place.  And even better, with Enso Connect, we offer a smart AI assistant who can even answer their questions for you.  So not only are you saving time, but not repeating the same Wifi username and password every rental like a mockingbird.

Rental automation can save you time, and give you peace of mind if properly leveraged.  Our best advice is to research which PMS aligns best with your needs, but if you’re ever curious about Enso Connect, feel free to reach out.  Send an email to contact@ensoconnect.com, and we would be happy to help you go over a PMS solution that suits your needs.