Common Property Owner Questions for Southwest Florida Property Management
Am I restricted in the use of my property?
No, there are no restrictions on owner usage. However, be aware that the more you use your home the less opportunity we have to expose it to potential guests. We encourage owners to refrain from prolonged use of their home during peak winter and holiday seasons as this limits our opportunity for capturing revenues at a higher price point.
How does the RVA rating system work?
Once in the vacation rental program, a member of our team visits your home to evaluate it. Each home is carefully critiqued based on quality, condition, appearance and amenities. Based on the level of standard of each property, it is then categorized as an EVP, Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze home. These ratings are used to communicate the relative quality and condition of the interior, as well as the amenities of each home to our guests. Guests have come to rely on our trusted rating system to help in their expectations of the rental home. For example, flat screen TV’s and granite countertops are luxury items that guests come to expect from our Gold and higher units. View our Ratings Page for details on what each rating means.
How will my home be rented in comparison to other homes?
Guests’ needs and preferences are the primary criteria in determining where the guest is placed. Location, beach access, wireless Internet availability, bedding configuration and pool inclusion are the most common requests. Within a given room type (such as number of bedrooms, community and home location), our team is committed to allocate rentals on a rotating basis in efforts to equalize revenue among comparable homes.
What kind of revenue can I expect?
Specific revenue cannot be predicted or guaranteed, and in general, it varies depending on destination, type and quality of accommodation, and proximity to area attractions, among other factors. Many destinations are seasonal, with revenue during peak season differing from revenue during off-season. Our experienced team will facilitate a detailed analysis of your home before it enters our rental program in order to set expectation and position it at the optimal rental rate. A vacation rental, while often producing income, also requires regular expenses, which must be planned for.
What if a guest damages or steals something from my home?
Our Operations Team perform regular quality control inspections on your home both prior to arrival and upon departure to track any damages. Several steps are in place to protect you, the homeowner, from damages outside of the normal wear-and-tear. The guest is charged an Accidental Damage Protection fee that helps protect them during the stay from any accidental damages which helps to ensure the inventory of your property is protected. This fee does not cover normal wear-and-tear items or annual cleaning requirements that come with owning a vacation rental.
Who pays for housekeeping?
Arrival spiffs are the responsibility of the owner, which we require any time your home has been unoccupied for more than five days prior to an arrival and includes light touch-ups to keep your home in a fresh, guest-ready condition. Departure cleans after a check-out are charged to the guest.
Who should I contact for more information?
Your point of contact for all questions ranging from marketing to accounting is our Owner Relations Department, who can be reached at (866) 355-2169 or via email at [email protected].
Why am I being charged a maintenance fee for small repairs?
Even small repairs, such as replacing a light bulb, requires time and expense. Any time a RVA team member visits a home for a maintenance call, there is an associated charge to cover the costs of labor and related expenses. These charges will appear on your statement as regular maintenance calls. There are many additional household calls that our team performs as a complimentary service outside of maintenance repairs.
Will I be billed for repairs to my property?
Yes. On your statement, the charge for maintenance labor and the actual repair item will be listed in order to keep thorough records of all maintenance services provided. These services and items are charged at current hourly rates and prices. We will seek owner approval for any repair item over the working balance.
What if I want to exclude certain groups from renting my unit?
To protect our homeowners and guests, we require that one of the guests present in each vacation party be over the age of 25. As for large parties renting your home, we have the ability to place restrictions both in our reservation system as well as online to limit the number of guests per reservation to prevent overflowing capacities and unsafe conditions. We provide detailed terms and conditions to each guest that states that any breech of this restriction will result in termination of the rental agreement including possible eviction from the property and possible forfeiture of any monies paid. Although RVA can restrict the number of guests occupying your home during their vacation stay, limiting daytime visitors is outside of our control.
What start-up fees does RVA Charge?
RVA has several start-up requirements as a way of off setting the cost of our monthly service. These charges are to protect your property as well as begin marketing, accounting and rental services. The specific amounts for these fees can vary; and can be provided upon request:
1. An annual management fee (first year will be pro-rated as necessary) is due upon executing your rental management agreement. After the initial year, this annual fee is charged in the month of November and will appear on your statement accordingly.
2. A small working balance is required on your account for minor repairs to your property.
3. A $65 Hotel/Motel License Fee and $5 Department of Revenue Licensing Fee will be charged on your behalf and paid to the State.
4. In order to ensure your property is in rental-ready condition, you will also be billed for a mandatory deep clean upon executing your rental management agreement, and on an annual basis. Deep clean costs vary depending on the size of the property.
Why is there an annual property management fee when you get a commission off each rental?
Our annual property management fee is in place to cover year-round operating costs and general upkeep of your vacation rental home. For example, our website, marketing and accounting departments continue their services even during the times that your rental home is in an unoccupied status.
What types of properties does RVA have?
Since 1989, the team at RVA has specialized in vacation rentals of all caliber and location along the Gulf Coast of Florida. Our current inventory ranges from Bradenton to Siesta Key, including the mainland of Sarasota and her various islands. We represent all vacation products from homes and condominiums, to nightly resort-style properties. Our wide range of clientele allows us to feature properties on the bay, on the beach, in golf course communities and in mainland areas.
Will I receive a referral fee for referring guests to RVA?
Yes, owners receive a reduction in the commission rate for each referral to their home.
Why am I responsible for paying the guests’ credit card fee?
Many area property management companies pass the entire cost onto the homeowner for applicable reservations. RVA shares this expense with our owners. We also encourage guests to use bill pay or write checks so there is no expense; however with the popularity and convenience of credit cards it is not possible to prohibit credit card usage without limiting your revenue potential.
I might be interested in making my home pet friendly – how do you ensure that my property will remain in good condition?
Choosing to make your home pet friendly is an excellent idea for homes of any size or location, and will allow for additional exposure for your vacation home, including exposure to a very loyal clientele. A recent study of our reservation department found that 20% of our inquiries ask for pet friendly options, while only 9% of our rental homes accept them. For the safety of your unit, per-pet fees and mandatory deep cleans are required after each visit to ensure your property remains in top shape.
