VRHP Member News - April 2024

Hello, Friends!

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. With many vacation rental professionals needing to do quite a bit of driving as part of their day-to-day work, it also marks an appropriate safety topic for this month's newsletter.

Distracted driving poses significant risks for everyone, but when you are behind the wheel for your job, it's crucial to stay focused and avoid any activities that divert your attention. Keeping your full attention on the road ensures not only your safety but also upholds the responsibility and trust placed in you by your business and the community you serve.  

Shifting gears (pun intended!)…we are eagerly anticipating the upcoming VRMA Spring Forum in New Orleans on April 15-16. It's an event that stands as a cornerstone for learning, networking, and sharing the innovative practices that propel our industry forward.

In addition to our regular conference sessions, VRHP is offering a Certified Vacation Rental Inspector Bootcamp on April 14. This bootcamp session will provide practical insights for those responsible for navigating various inspection environments and scenarios and will cover every facet of the vacation rental inspection process. We hope to see you there!

Yours in cleanliness,

Michelle Williams
VRHP Council Chair
Atlantic Vacation Homes

Safety Topic of the Month: Distracted Driving

Prioritize safe behaviors while you are on the road to ensure you and your team avoid the dangers of distracted driving. From eliminating cell phone use during your trip to pulling over to eat or drink, there are many ways to keep safe. Learn more tips and best practices with this month's safety materials.

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Getting Your HVAC Ready for Summer

By Caio Pavanelli, PMI Clearwater (in collaboration with Barbara Mastrotta, Cool Wizard Air Conditioning Services

When managing HVAC units in rental properties, hosts should prioritize certain considerations when dealing with HVAC maintenance. 

Implementing straightforward preventative maintenance measures can effectively maintain your renters comfort throughout their stay, while keeping costs reasonable. This article will outline essential maintenance practices for rental property HVAC systems. Additionally, it will provide guidance on determining the optimal time for system replacements and evaluating the financial viability of upgrading to energy-efficient models.

Change your air filters regularly

Maintaining clean and healthy indoor air is crucial, and HVAC filters play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. These filters operate by capturing dust, pollen, and other allergens, preventing them from circulating throughout the home. Over time, however, filters can accumulate debris, diminishing their effectiveness. Therefore, regular replacement of HVAC filters is imperative. Depending on the filter type, replacements should occur every one to three months. To gauge the appropriate timing for replacement, it's advisable to inspect the filter monthly and install a new one when it shows visible dirt buildup. Adding a "sharpie monthly date" on the filters will also help your cleaning team keep on track.

Aside from regular replacements, selecting the appropriate filter type is equally significant. The MERV rating serves as a measure of a filter's particle-trapping efficiency, with higher ratings indicating superior performance. For most households, a filter with a MERV rating of 8 or 9 suffices. However, if individuals in the household suffer from allergies or asthma, opting for a higher-rated filter may be necessary to ensure optimal air quality. Don't forget to add this as a 'bonus' for your property in the property description!

Keep the Area Surrounding the Indoor Unit Clutter-Free

While it's common knowledge to keep the vicinity around outdoor HVAC units free from debris to prevent overheating and breakdowns, many overlook the importance of maintaining clear space around indoor HVAC units. Clutter such as furniture, boxes, or other items obstructs airflow, hindering the unit's efficiency. This obstruction forces the HVAC system to work harder to regulate temperature, resulting in increased energy consumption and potentially reducing the unit's lifespan. When considering storage options, it's wise to refrain from cluttering the area surrounding your indoor HVAC unit.

Regulate your Home's Temperature

During hot weather, the interior of your home can quickly become uncomfortably warm. To prevent it from feeling like an oven, there are several steps you can take to regulate the temperature effectively. Firstly, ensure that your air conditioner is appropriately sized for your home. An undersized unit will strain to cool your space, while an oversized one will cool it too quickly, wasting energy. Secondly, set your air conditioner to the highest comfortable temperature. Typically, HVAC systems can lower the temperature from outside by 15-20 degrees, so setting it excessively low, such as 65 degrees when it's 102 outside, will only strain the system, possibly freeze your system and increase your energy bill. Lastly, avoid turning off the system completely when you're in between guests. Allowing your home to match the outdoor temperature will prolong the cooling process. Instead, adjust the thermostat to around 80 degrees while empty, making it easier to cool your house efficiently once new guests check in.

Preventative Maintenance

Regular HVAC preventative maintenance is vital to ensure the smooth operation of your heating and cooling system. During a maintenance visit, a skilled HVAC technician will thoroughly inspect and clean essential components, such as the air filter, drain line, blower, coils, and drain pan. Additionally, they will scrutinize for any indications of wear and tear while verifying the tightness of all connections. Furthermore, they will conduct tests to confirm that the system is functioning at optimal efficiency. By ensuring an annual schedule of routine preventative maintenance, you can prolong the lifespan of your HVAC system and circumvent expensive repairs in the future. 

AC Replacement - Competitive Quotes

At some point, every homeowner will inevitably face the need to replace their HVAC unit. While delaying such a significant purchase might be tempting, recognizing the right time for an upgrade is crucial. One clear indicator is a noticeable increase in energy bills. Moreover, as your unit ages, its efficiency diminishes, leading to higher operating costs. Another sign is erratic heating and cooling performance. If your home struggles to maintain a comfortable temperature, it may be time to consider a replacement unit.

When selecting a new unit, it's essential to factor in your home's size and climate. Opting for a unit with a high SEER rating is advisable, as it signifies enhanced energy efficiency. Additionally, HVAC replacement costs can vary widely, so obtaining multiple quotes is prudent before making a decision.

Regular HVAC preventative maintenance is fundamental to keeping your system operating smoothly and averting potentially costly repairs in the future. Ensure that you adhere to a schedule of changing air filters regularly and regulating indoor temperatures during extreme weather conditions. If the time has come for a replacement unit, thorough research is key to finding the best fit for your home with a company that you can trust!

Hiring for Your Peak Season

By Donzell Veazie, Ryson Vacation Rentals/Vtrips Experience

As we welcome spring and start to prepare for what for many is known as peak season, we turn to hiring capable hands. These past few years we have seen a struggle with hiring. This has caused hiring managers and firms to get super creative when it comes to getting capable team members. In this article we will look at a few points that can assist with the hiring process for peak season. 

Job Posting: This is one of the most important parts of the hiring process. Creating visibility on as many job sites as possible is critical and partnering with a company such as Better Talent that is specific to hospitality and vacation rentals can certainly help in obtaining qualified applicants. 

Advertising Pay & Benefits: We have seen that advertising pay is becoming a common theme. It is important to show what the pay range will be for the position. This will allow you to attract applicants that are comfortable with that pay range and none that will just take up time. If you are hiring full time employees, having a benefits package or PTO program can also attract qualified applicants for the position or positions. 

Hiring Bonus or Referral Bonus: When it comes to hiring, a common practice is offering hiring or referral bonuses. This additional compensation to a new team member or existing team member that is referring someone can give you a hug boost over other employers in the market. 

Hiring Process: This part of the process might not always be the best. Unfortunately, nerves get in the way of applicants really being able to show you who they are, making the applicant feel comfortable. This also allows the opportunity for them to be themselves. Being able to shed a little light on what type of culture you all have created can also be beneficial in the hiring process. 

As we get ready for what will be for many as the peak season hiring will be at the top of the list of importance. Finding the right team members are essential to any successful operation but also remembering the culture you are wanting to create. 

Join VRHP at the 2024 VRMA Spring Forum

Join VRHP at the 2024 VRMA Spring Forum! Thanks to valuable feedback from members, the 2024 event brings together focused education tracks, enhanced exhibit experience, and more, in an effort to design the event entirely with members in mind. Register today and join us April 15-16 in New Orleans, LA.

Certified Vacation Rental Inspector Bootcamp

Sunday, April 14 | 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Kickoff the Spring Forum experience a day early by joining a 3-hour bootcamp session tailored to short-term rental inspectors. The interactive and informative session will cover every facet of the vacation rental inspection process and leaves you with practical insights for navigating various environments.

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