Can You Run Your Serviced Accommodation Business From A Laptop?

Whilst SA is a hands on business that obviously does require some on-location work and regular inspection of the sites, the majority of the work is still computer based and can be managed remotely.

My Serviced apartments are 40 minutes away from where I live. At first I thought this would be a problem as I couldn't just 'pop over' anytime there was the slightest issue. However, I quickly realised the advantages to this being the case.

I was forced to set up systems to cover all eventualities and put a great team of people in place to ensure that there was always someone there, when needed. It also prevented me from making unnecessary visits (just because I was nearby) which would have wasted my productivity and time that could have been spent on growing the business instead.

In the worst case scenarios I will jump in the car to go and sort any issues out, but this is seldom.


Housekeeping

Housekeeping is probably the most important cog in the wheel for SA operators. If your housekeeping team lets you down, your business will fall apart. You need more than just cleaners and so its' worth spending more on this service than a standard domestic cleaner.

Not only will your guests be expecting a hotel standard clean, but you will want your cleaners to change linen, top up refreshments and toiletries and carry out a number of checks so that you don't have to. Checks include (but aren't limited to); checking for breakages and missing items, checking light bulbs, checking TV remotes are working (and don't need batteries replaced) and checking the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms once a month.


Maintenance

You will find that a lot of little jobs will need doing, due to high turnover of guests and use of the property.  You may get issues with showers, drain blockages, bathrooms might need re-sealing, radiators checking, leaks managed, issues with the boiler and so on.

Make sure you already have someone that you can call in the event that something goes wrong (which it inevitable will). Once you have someone that you know and trust doing these odd jobs for you, they will be able to let themselves into the property (when the guests aren't there) instead of you having to attend and wait while they complete the job.

If the guests have an issue with heating or water, make sure you have an emergency contact you can call on. For all other smaller issues, when a guest or cleaner alerts you to the issue, contact your maintenance person and ask them to check the issue.  Make sure your cleaners take photos of the issue and ask your maintenance person to either send a photo, video or Facetime you to show you when the issue has been resolved.




Keys & Check-in

If you are not going to be around in person to meet and greet, you need a key box. I know a lot of operators prefer to meet and greet and I'm sure some of the guests like it too, but I haven't found any issues with self check-in, particularly as the guests are not tied down to any particular check-in time and can arrive as they please. Make sure all the security checks have been covered before you give anyone access to the keys to your property.



Security Checks

You should already have security checks in place to deter unruly guests, prevent card fraud and ensure your property will be looked after. We have systems in place that check that our guests have passed the card security checks, signed a contract and provided ID in the same name as the booking name. We also make sure we take a security deposit which is released when the changeover has been done and the cleaners have confirmed that everything is as it should be.


Supplies Cupboards

If you want to avoid unnecessary visits to your apartments, it would be wise to keep spare items in a storage cupboard in each apartment. If your apartment doesn't have a cupboard you can buy a lockable free standing cupboard, to keep in the apartment for spares.

This is what I have done and in mine I keep spare plates, cutlery, glasses lightbulbs, batteries as well as refreshments and bottles of wine for special occasions. The cleaners have access to it, so if they notice something is broken or missing, they can replace it while they are on the job.


Property Set up

Some landlords and investors prefer to set up the property themselves. You can simply provide them with a checklist of all of the items they need to be guest ready and leave them to complete set-up.  

Otherwise you might need to manage this. In this case you have two options; you can outsource the job to a property staging company or you can do it yourself. If you chose the later option, you can still do a lot of this from your computer and keep the time spent in the property at a minimum. 

Source as many of the products as possible online and get them delivered either to yourself or directly to the property when you are going to be there. I initially made the mistake of spending hours wandering around the home furnishing shops and spent 4 days doing what should really have taken me an afternoon. 

Make sure you have room plans and plenty of pictures of the apartment and then plan and source from your laptop. When it comes to setting up the property, to make the most of your time get help! Pay someone a day rate to help you get it set up and ready for guests. It will be worth the money, trust me. 

Property Inspections

Now this may be the exception to the rule, as there are some things that you will want to do yourself in the beginning. Property inspections being one of them! At least, until you have a trusted property manager or member of staff that can will give this task the attention to detail required to do a proper job!


If you get all of these systems in place, you should be able to manage most of your business from your computer, from wherever you happen to be at the time!



Design the life you love! 


Best wishes,
Kirsty