VRHP Member News - November 2023
Hello, Friends!
We’ve got another fantastic VRMA International Conference in the books! We had three inspiring days of education, networking, and collaboration at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort in sunny Orlando, Florida.
There were many superb operations-focused sessions to choose from, including the popular “VRHP Roundtables,” “All Things Operations,” and “The Art and Science of Establishing Clean Times, Piece Rates, and Guest Cleaning Fees.” The VRHP sessions were a significant draw for many attendees, filling rooms to capacity in many cases. Striving for excellence in operations is clearly a top priority for our industry (as it should be)!
Yours in cleanliness,
Michelle Williams
VRHP Council Chair
Atlantic Vacation Homes
Safety Topic of the Month: Carbon Monoxide Safety
Be aware of potential sources of carbon monoxide poisoning and be sure to keep equipment in your properties and your offices properly maintained. Learn more about carbon monoxide safety through the materials below.
View Safety Materials
Lessons Learned from the Busy Season
By: Donzell Veazie, Vtrips
As property managers, we all look forward to the busy season, but we also anticipate the close of the season. Each year, as the demand for short-term rentals continues to increase and more inventory enters the market, we face various challenges. Even some of the most operationally sound companies and managers do not have all their hair intact at the season’s end. We implement policies and procedures to handle specific situations during the peak season. Most importantly, we seek to learn lessons from our busy season.
Property readiness is one area that property managers focus on during our off-season. We work with owners and our operations team to ensure our properties are set up for success going into the peak season, or at least we think so. However, we often learn during the peak season that unexpected issues can still occur, prompting us to add additional preventive maintenance items to the list for the next offseason.
Communication is one of the top priorities for every property manager, or at least it should be. In our sector, we must communicate with multiple parties such as guests, vendors, clients, etc. One of the lessons we learn during the peak season is the effectiveness of the communication improvements implemented during the off-season. Depending on the results, it determines the workload ahead for you and your team in the next season.
Whole company teamwork is often overlooked when you're in the midst of the season or even when you're far from it. However, this is an important lesson to learn and to understand why it's vital for any company culture that values teamwork. While each team member has their job and assignment, sometimes a little help is required. Allowing cross-training between departments can facilitate this lesson and help address in-season problems that may arise. With this approach, you can even look forward to your accounting team helping make beds. One would hope their bed-making skills are as meticulous as their numbers.
As we have highlighted just a few points in this article, we always want to maintain an open mindset about learning new things. Each property manager faces numerous challenges during the peak season, with millions of people flocking to short-term rentals, making each season different from the others.
Deep Cleaning Tips and Generating ROI in the Offseason
By: Sean Kemper, Kemper Industries
Ensuring that your vacation rental property maintains its appeal and cleanliness is essential, especially in an area of heightened focus on sanitization. Effective cleaning in vacation rentals often requires the right cleaning solutions and chemistry. For tougher stains or mold in high-humidity areas, always use commercial-grade products. We have products used by vacation professionals that are built to handle the stresses of your properties. Spor-Go will safely remove mold & mildew without the harsh effects caused by bleach and other harsh ingredients. Balance safety with cleanliness to ensure a comfortable and healthy vacation space.
Floor residue build-up
Most issues arise from heavy residue build-up on floors. Vacation rental floors can accumulate dirt and grime quickly, especially in high-traffic areas. Regular sweeping and mopping are essential, but for deeper cleaning, consider the floor type. Hardwood floors benefit from gentle cleaners, while tile and grout need specialized solutions. Carpeted areas require regular vacuuming and occasional deep cleaning. Remember, the type of floor in your rental property will dictate the best cleaning approach, so adjust your methods accordingly. Using proper cleaning tools and equipment helps deep cleans become more efficient and even profitable. This area can lead to additional ROI through charging the owners for tile & grout cleaning, carpet cleaning, pressure washing, and even painting. We often hear the term "Blackfoot," which is often caused by fragrances and other ingredients in cheap and ineffective products, attracting more dirt. During our busy season, it's challenging to properly remove severe build-up. We are simply trying to remove visible soils and clean the floors as quickly as we can. Using a good neutral floor product helps eliminate heavy build-up during peak times. When it is time to deep clean the floors, you must understand the chemistry in proper soil removal. The 2-step method is critical to improving appearance, cleanliness, and the overall condition of floors to remove the build-up that causes "Blackfoot." The right program utilizes products specifically designed for use on marble, porcelain, quarry tile, ceramic, and man-made hard floor surfaces. Do not use acid-based products on natural stone surfaces. It will etch and break down these surfaces. Please reach out to us at VRHP to learn more about these procedures.
Customized strategies for different locations
Beach, lake, and mountain property locations require different cleaning strategies. Beach properties are prone to sand, salt, and moisture. Regularly sweep sand, wash outdoor furniture, and remove salt residue to prevent corrosion and damage. Salt can be very corrosive to all types of surfaces and materials, so using rust conversion products can help protect metals. Lake properties may encounter mud and moisture, so provide mats for entryways and deep clean carpets. Keep an eye out for spider webs, wasp nests, and other rodents that could find shelter in or around your lake properties. Mountain properties face dust and allergens; use air purifiers and pay attention to fireplace and chimney maintenance. Tailoring your cleaning approach to your specific location will ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay for your guests.
Choosing the right cleaning products
Commercial-grade cleaning products are crucial to remove dirt and soils that you can physically see while disinfecting gets to the bacteria and germs you cannot. Retail products might work for daily household use, but they aren't effective for the cleaning loads housekeepers face. Your cleaning methods and product choices can significantly impact the quality of your property's cleanliness.
Be on the lookout for exciting opportunities with VRHP to learn more about the importance of properly cleaning your vacation rental properties, along with best practices and products to do so.