How to Screen and Hire the Right Property Manager for Your Short-Term Rental Home

Finding the right property manager for your short-term rental can make all the difference between a smooth-running, successful property and one that constantly demands your time, energy, and attention.

Whether you manage an Airbnb, a holiday cottage, or a portfolio of short-term rental properties, the person looking after your property is representing both you and your business. They play a huge part in the guest experience, the condition of your property, and ultimately, your reputation.

But how do you find the right person? Do you look for years of experience, a long list of qualifications, or someone who already knows the ins and outs of the short-term rental industry?

Remember, Everyone Has to Start Somewhere

Nobody comes into this world knowing how to manage a holiday rental. We all start somewhere, and every experienced property manager was once a beginner.

Skills can be taught. Systems can be learned. Software, booking platforms, check-in procedures, housekeeping standards, and maintenance processes can all be explained and developed with the right training.

What is often harder to teach is attitude.

You can train someone to follow a procedure, but it is much harder to teach someone to genuinely care, take pride in their work, or show initiative when a problem arises.

This is why I would never dismiss a candidate simply because they haven't worked in short-term rentals before. When asking my clients about myself, they loved the fact that I could offer more personable service, which is something a lot of bigger companies might be lacking. I also work very closely with a growing community in this space, so if I am unsure on something, I get assistance on those answers. Something I feel truly lucky being a part of.

Someone with a background in hospitality, customer service, retail, administration, or even a completely different industry may have many of the qualities needed to become an excellent property manager.

Give people a chance to show you what they can do. Sometimes, the best agent is the person whose potential you recognise before anyone else does.

Look for Personality, Flair, and Get-Up-and-Go

In my opinion, this is one of the most important things to look for.

Short-term rental management can be unpredictable. A guest might arrive early, a cleaner might call in sick, a boiler might stop working, or a booking issue might arise at the worst possible moment. You need someone who can remain calm, think clearly, and find a solution.

Look for someone with a bit of spark. Someone approachable, resourceful, and naturally helpful. Someone who doesn't wait to be told every little thing and who is willing to roll up their sleeves when needed. I certainly have had my fair share of these during my process with my clients, but again it's about how you handle the situations...

A person with the right flair and get-up-and-go can bring enormous value to your business. They might spot a problem before it becomes a complaint, notice a detail that improves the guest experience, or come up with a better way of doing things.

Don't overlook someone simply because they don't tick every box on paper. If they have the right attitude, a genuine interest in the role, and the personality to work well with guests and property owners, they could turn out to be an absolute gem.

Don't Expect Someone to Know Everything on Day One

Even an experienced property manager needs time to understand how you operate.

Every property is different, every owner has their own expectations, and every business has its own systems and standards.

A good induction and clear procedures will help a new management company settle in and build confidence.

If you hire someone with potential but limited experience, give them the tools to succeed. Provide training, explain your standards, encourage questions, and offer constructive feedback.

Start with clear responsibilities and gradually build up their independence as they demonstrate competence.

You should also have checklists and documented processes for important tasks, such as guest communication, cleaning inspections, check-ins, maintenance reporting, and emergencies. These help maintain consistency and make it easier for new team members to learn.

Remember, hiring someone is not just about finding the finished product.

Sometimes, it is about finding the right person and helping them grow into the role.

Of course, enthusiasm alone isn't enough. You still need to assess reliability, judgement, honesty, and the ability to follow through. But when those qualities are present, a positive attitude can be a fantastic foundation to build on.

Test Their Practical Skills

Interviews are useful, but seeing how someone approaches a realistic situation can tell you even more.

Consider giving candidates a short, relevant exercise. For example, you could ask them to:

• Draft a friendly but professional response to a guest complaint.

• Review a sample property listing and identify details that could be improved.

• Put together a simple checklist for preparing a property before guest arrival.

• Explain how they would prioritise three issues occurring at the same time.

These exercises can help you assess communication, organisation, attention to detail, and problem-solving.

For candidates who are new to the industry, make sure you assess their reasoning and approach rather than expecting them to know your systems already.

If you offer a trial shift or practical assessment, make it structured, proportionate, and fairly compensated where appropriate. The aim is to discover potential, not to expect an inexperienced candidate to perform like a seasoned professional from day one.

And, Lastly Cheaper Doesn't Always Mean the Better Fit.

From speaking to many people within the community I work alongside, a fair share of them when working with new clients, some of their clients have moved to a new management company. When asked why they were moving to a new management agent/company, they said they went with their old agent because they were 'good value' and then simply learned the hard way that they lacked many things, including being likeable and having empathy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Adam Daniels-Smith is a Property Manager Agent, in the short-term rental space, whether this be through a trusted online travel agent, or directly booked through this website.

Genuine & Respectful, Adam delivers a personal, yet fun approach when dealing with his guests, or clients from the landlord side of things. To learn more click here