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Hello Sloanish. LG does offer a set-top box that you can plug into your Samsung Frame TVs to be able to work with the managment platform. This allows you to keep the current TVs that you have already invested in.
Pro:Centric Stay is a fully customizable hospitality TV platform for vacation rental properties similar to what you've likely seen in hotels. You are able to display property and safety information, "how to" videos and instructions, local restaurants and activities, guest services and more. The platform can also strengthen brand recognition and help drive more direct bookings and service upsells. We'd be happy to meet with you to tell you more about the benefits and features of our technology.
Thank you for the summary. So basically, it's what I already have with my Roku except the Roku doesn't auto-magically know the guest's details upon arrival. It does auto-magically delete all of the guests login data (premium account logins) upon check-out, which the guest selects themselves when they first arrive. However, I do encourage my guests to get outdoors, not spend time inside...
I played with this product (the LG TV with integration to PMS) at a conference. It's basically a way of having a TV in your vacation rental that is like the hotels have. Imagine walking into a hotel (a nicer 4 star+ hotel) and the TV says "Hi Susy, welcome to New York" with your name on the screen and some options of what you can see and do. It's a way to personalize your TVs to the guest. And then there are options to automatically log out all the apps (Netflix, Hulu, etc) automatically when the guest leaves. The integration knows the arrival/departure dates, so on the departure date/time, the LG TV will auto-wipe all the logins and reset it for the next guest. It's a cool idea, but I'm not sure I want to replace all my TVs just to have that.
Happy Friday!
Another week brings more updates in the ever-evolving world of short-term rentals. From new regulations in Santa Cruz County and Amsterdam to the rising popularity of mid-term rentals, there's plenty to discuss. Let’s dive into this week’s highlights.
Santa Cruz County (California) supervisors have unanimously approved new measures to regulate short-term vacation rentals in an effort to address the housing crisis and preserve residential units for residents. The new regulations require online platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo to remove listings without the necessary permits or face penalties. Also, landlords must pay 6 months of rent to evicted tenants if their property becomes a vacation rental. As of last fall, about 70 units in the county were listed without proper permits. The supervisors expressed concern about the potential impact on the local tourism industry if the number of short-term rentals decreases. To address this, the board voted on Tuesday to direct county staff to explore options for increasing hotel capacity in the area.
Amsterdam is tightening regulations on short-term rentals in the city center and the De Pijp neighborhood in the Zuid district. The City Council plans to reduce the maximum number of rental days per year from 30 to 15 in an effort to address ongoing tourism-related issues in these areas. If these measures do not prove effective, a complete ban on short-term rentals may be considered. The Council is expected to finalize its decision by December 2025, with new rules potentially taking effect in 2026.
Mid-term rentals (MTRs) are becoming increasingly popular in the Twin Cities and beyond, offering stays longer than a vacation but shorter than a year. Jon Wolf launched MiniStays to cater to business travelers, digital nomads, and families in transition. The platform has gained traction by addressing the needs of people affected by natural disasters, such as those displaced by hurricanes and wildfires. MTRs grew in demand during the pandemic, with many seeking furnished, flexible accommodations.
A California court has overturned Measure T, the 2018 voter-approved ban on vacation rentals in residential areas of South Lake Tahoe. The ruling came after concerns were raised that the measure’s exception for permanent residents violated constitutional property rights. As a result of this decision, property owners can once again apply for vacation rental permits in residential zones. Legal experts caution that the city may face lawsuits from homeowners seeking compensation for lost rental income. City officials are currently reviewing the ruling and considering their next steps.
As we wrap up the week, it’s great to see a win for vacation rentals in South Lake Tahoe. These ongoing legal battles and regulatory changes highlight just how dynamic the industry continues to be.
We’re also gearing up for two incredible events in the coming weeks! Next week, we’ll be at STRive to Thrive conference in Austrailia (March 19-20), followed by the STRive to Thrive conference in New Zealand (March 25-26). If you’re attending either event, be sure to stop by our booth and say hello. We’d love to connect with you! Have a fantastic weekend!
It is important to be upfront and provide costs for the service. I did schedule a meeting but I would appreciate an understanding of the cost structure in advance to see if it is within my (very small) marketing budget.
I already have new Samsung Frame TVs - any chance for a service that will work with Samsung
I agree… don’t understand this product offering.
How much is the monthly fee? Don't see that anywhere.
It's a little hard to see what this product does exactly. So far it looks like roku + digital guidebook + annual fee. What am I missing?
We’re excited to announce our partnership with Check-in Scan, a powerful tool designed to streamline guest registrations for vacation rentals, hotels, hostels, and more. With this integration, OwnerRez users can now automate the check-in process while ensuring compliance with legal regulations in Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Croatia.
Check-in Scan is the ultimate tool for managing guest registrations, specifically designed for hotels, hostels, campsites, rural accommodations, caravans, lodges, and vacation rentals that need to comply with legal regulations quickly and securely. With the Check-in Scan app, you can scan passports and ID cards, which automatically fills out traveler forms in seconds and sends the data to authorities in Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
The app allows you to register guests in person, enable self-check-in via QR code, web check-in, and direct links, facilitate digital signatures for traveler forms, export data to Excel, and integrate with PMS and smart locks.
Additionally, it offers multi-channel technical support (chat, email, phone, and WhatsApp) in Spanish, English, Italian, and Portuguese. Optimize your management with Check-in Scan, the efficient and legal solution for your business.
With Check-in Scan, guests can check in remotely using their mobile phones or tablets, no paperwork required! Whether you’re offering in-person check-in or self-check-in, the process is smooth and secure.
Check-in Scan takes guest check-ins to the next level by automating processes, enhancing the guest experience, and ensuring compliance with local laws. Here’s what you’ll gain:
OwnerRez users receive an exclusive 20% discount on Check-in Scan. More information can be found at this link.
Get started with Check-in Scan by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with Check-in Scan.
We’re excited to partner with Tint, bringing SmartSTR Insurance™ to property managers. This seamless solution offers essential coverage for guest-caused damage, liability, and bed bugs without impacting homeowners' personal policies. With easy integration, property managers can grow their portfolios confidently while homeowners enjoy peace of mind.
Tint transforms protection from a standalone product into an integrated feature by embedding insurance and assurance solutions into trusted brands. Founded in 2018 by Matheus Riolfi and Jérôme Selles—early employees at Turo—Tint draws on deep industry experience to simplify in-house insurance development. Today, Tint empowers businesses to offer embedded insurance and protection for platform-specific risks in several markets, including the property management industry. Tint combines expert service, innovative technology, and tailored risk transfer options to optimize insurance and assurance solutions.
Traditional homeowners insurance often falls short when properties are used for short-term rentals, exposing homeowners to costly risks. SmartSTR Insurance™ mitigates these risks, builds homeowner trust, and provides protection for:
This coverage does not impact personal homeowners’ policies—offering unmatched peace of mind for both homeowners and property managers.
SmartSTR Comprehensive Coverage, Exceptional Value. Robust damage and liability coverage. Offset the coverage cost in your reservations, while enhancing your operational revenue. A true win-win. Available at a per night rate and coming soon 30-day, per stay rates.
Get started with Tint through this link, and check out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with Tint.
SmartSTR Insurance is offered solely through Tint Embedded Insurance Services, LLC, a licensed
surplus lines insurance broker, and underwritten by a non-admitted insurance carrier. The information
provided above is for general informational purposes only and not intended as a solicitation of insurance.
Insurance coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all customers. OwnerRez does not
solicit, sell, or negotiate this insurance.
We are excited to announce our partnership with Xplorie, which enables users to offer free-to-guest activity programs, enhancing guest experiences, driving repeat bookings, and boosting ADR effortlessly.
For nearly 30 years, Xplorie has helped vacation rental companies to stand out by offering free-to-guest activity programs that elevate property listings and create unforgettable guest experiences. As a property and brand differentiation tool, Xplorie transforms stays into memorable vacations—building guest loyalty, driving repeat bookings, and increasing ADR—all without adding operational complexity. Trusted by 170+ lodging partners and powering 22,000+ vacation rentals across 70+ top destinations, Xplorie redefines what it means to deliver value.
Xplorie’s exclusive activity programs help businesses like yours attract more bookings, maintain ADR, and create loyal repeat guests. By offering more than just accommodations, you provide a complete vacation experience that sets your property apart.
Listings featuring Xplorie’s activities catch travelers’ attention and convert more bookings. When guests enjoy unforgettable experiences, they’re more likely to return—turning first-time visitors into lifelong customers.
After booking their stay, guests receive a personalized activity page with free and discounted experiences in their destination. Activities can be easily booked online or by phone—no downloads, no hassle.
By offering carefully selected local experiences, you create a more memorable stay for guests while building trust with owners and your community. Showcase the best your destination has to offer and strengthen your reputation as a premier vacation rental operator.
Xplorie provides custom pricing tailored to each vacation rental business. Pricing is designed to maximize guest value while helping properties stand out and drive more bookings.
Minimum Unit Count: Xplorie typically works with vacation rental brands that manage ten or more properties.
Program Availability: Xplorie's activity programs are available in select destinations across the United States, with more locations coming online regularly.
To learn more about pricing and how Xplorie can benefit your business, contact Xplorie here.
Get started with Xplorie by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with Xplorie.
We are excited to announce our partnership with LG Electronics, which enables users to enhance their properties with Pro:Centric Stay. This advanced hospitality TV platform is designed to improve guest experiences, streamline property management, and unlock new revenue opportunities through upselling and direct bookings.
In 2024, LG introduced Pro:Centric Stay, a revolutionary technology that combines exceptional entertainment with powerful property management and guest engagement tools. This platform boosts brand visibility, strengthens guest communication, streamlines operations, and drives revenue through service upsells. Pro:Centric Stay delivers personalized guest experiences, offering branded welcome messages and curated digital guidebooks featuring local recommendations, property details, and safety information—redefining hospitality in the vacation rental industry.
Pro:Centric Stay transforms the way you engage with guests and manage your property. Here’s how:
OwnerRez users can use an exclusive 50% discount on LG Pro:Centric Stay for one year. Get started with one FREE commercial hospitality TV or set-top box (up to $1,100 value). The offer is good for one rental property per property management company. More details can be found here.
Promotion Details:
Get started with LG Pro:Centric Stay by visiting here or schedule a meeting with LG through this link. Check out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with LG Pro:Centric Stay.
Happy Friday!
As the cold of winter recedes and the warm promise of spring starts to emerge, March marks an exhilarating time of renewal and growth in our industry. Let’s recap what happened this week.
This past Thursday, Pamela Bogaczyk, and Steve Clark from our Engagement Team attended the vibrant 2025 Poconos Short Term Rental Conference, where the atmosphere buzzed with energy and anticipation. Pamela and Steve engaged in lively conversations with new and familiar faces. The conference offered a treasure trove of intriguing insights and innovative ideas, leaving OwnerRez inspired and eager for the exciting opportunities ahead in the coming year.
Here are five Airbnb market trends to expect in 2025. The Airbnb market is expected to change significantly this year due to evolving traveler priorities. Sustainability will become a central focus, with eco-friendly accommodations emerging as a key selling point. Extended stays will continue to grow as remote work blurs the lines between travel and living. Additionally, there will be an increased demand for pet-friendly properties as more travelers choose to bring their furry companions along. Flexible booking policies will be a top priority for guests seeking reassurance during uncertain times. To remain competitive, listings that offer premium amenities—such as high-speed Wi-Fi, dedicated workspaces, and unique experiences—will attract more bookings.
Lisa Roads, a short-term rental business growth strategist, sheds light on investment inequality in the STR industry and women's challenges in securing funding and property ownership. Women often encounter systemic barriers in accessing capital and breaking into male-dominated investment networks, limiting their ability to build wealth through short-term rentals. A Women in Short-Term Rentals Community survey revealed that 83% of respondents felt that a lack of investment was hindering their business growth, with only 16% having successfully secured any form of external funding. Lisa Roads suggests that female entrepreneurs can overcome these hurdles by tapping into community networks, alternative financing options, and advocacy initiatives. As conversations around investment inequality grow, more efforts are emerging to create a more inclusive and equitable STR industry.
Airbnb is partnering with the Tejano Center for Community Concerns to launch Houston’s first-ever Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy. The academy will offer an introduction to hosting and highlight the economic opportunities that come with it. Participants will also gain access to experienced Airbnb hosts, who will share their knowledge, best practices, and valuable lessons learned. According to a 2023 Airbnb survey, more than half of Houston, Texas, hosts use the money they earn to manage increasing living expenses, and over 40% say hosting has helped them remain in their homes. This initiative aims to empower individuals with the skills needed to succeed in the short-term rental market, offering a unique opportunity to grow local businesses.
A Tokyo vacation rental, Geisha House Koume, has won the Best of Minpaku Award for its stunning design blending traditional Edo-era geisha house aesthetics with modern comfort. Minpaku refers to Japan’s short-term rental market, where private spaces are rented out to travelers. Located in a vibrant neighborhood just minutes from Tokyo’s top attractions, it offers a unique cultural experience in a compact one-room space. Despite its size, it accommodates up to three guests and is close to public transport, making it a popular choice for visitors.
After turning a retirement investment into a thriving vacation rental business, Tufan Beyatli, owner of Vacations At Destin, built an impressive portfolio of 27 beach properties in Destin, Florida. What started as a hobby quickly became a full-time career — fueled by a passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences and the power of OwnerRez automation.
Can you tell us a little bit about your history?
I purchased my first property in the Destin, Florida, area in 2007. I acquired a second property in 2015 and quickly expanded my portfolio to 27 properties by 2024. My background is in Telecom Management. Initially, this began as a retirement investment, but by 2021, it transitioned into my full-time occupation. I own all the properties individually or with partners, all of which are beach properties in Destin. I have incredible guests who appreciate the experience, making operating and renting out these properties enjoyable.
What is your background?
I worked as an electrical and electronics engineer for 25 years in Wireless Telecom, starting as a Network Planning engineer and eventually managing mid to large teams in Telecom Management.
Were you always in VR or property management, or is this a 2nd/3rd career?
Vacation rentals started as an investment and a hobby for me, but it has now become my second career.
If later, is there something that drew you to that area?
I do not live in the Destin area but travel there very often. The Emerald Coast's pristine white sands and turquoise waters attracted me to the area, and I fell in love at first sight.
What do you love the most about the VR business?
What I love the most about the VR business is the appreciation we receive from our customers.
What do you dislike the most about it?
Doing taxes.
How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?
I have automated OwnerRez to the point that I only work when there’s a question about the properties or if a unit needs servicing. Everything else runs on automation. I couldn't have grown the business without OwnerRez, which has made it possible to automate all messaging, generate door codes, and send notifications to cleaners.
What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?
The most useful features OwnerRez offers me are door code automation, which simplifies guest access, as well as templates and triggers that help streamline communication and tasks. I also find the reporting tools extremely valuable for tracking performance and making data-driven decisions.
It's always inspiring to see how OwnerRez helps vacation rental businesses succeed! Wishing Vacations at Destin continued growth and success as they scale their thriving business.
As the Northern Hemisphere transitions from winter to spring, OwnerRez is marking this renewal with the expansion of Airbnb Resolution Deposits, the new ability to disable Custom Sources, and the new Name.com partnership.
Accidents can occur at any time, which is why Airbnb AirCover for Hosts is available. In the past, OwnerRez's Deposits and Airbnb Transaction Sync struggled with handling Airbnb AirCover Resolution Deposits, which often showed up in OwnerRez as guest overpayments.
With our March 19th release, OwnerRez has optimized Airbnb AirCover Resolution Deposits for users with the Airbnb Transaction Sync enabled. Those deposit amounts will be clearly reflected in both Deposits and the individual booking charges and transactions for which you submitted an Airbnb AirCover claim.
In your Airbnb channel integration (Settings > Channel Management > Channel Integrations > Airbnb > Change > Options > Resolution and AirCover), you can select how you want AirCover Resolution Deposits applied. The default selection is "Do not create charges (I will do so manually after reviewing each resolution)."
If you choose the default selection of "Do not create charges (I will do so manually after reviewing each resolution)," you will receive an OwnerRez notification regarding the AirCover Resolution Deposit, "An Airbnb deposit has resolutions that need your attention."
When you click on the Review Resolutions button, you can select the charge type for your AirCover Resolution charges.
But you can also choose to pre-select how you want AirCover Resolution surcharges to be applied by navigating to your Airbnb channel integration (Settings > Channel Management > Channel Integrations > Airbnb > Change > Options > Resolution and AirCover) and choosing "Automatically create charges from resolutions:" and then selecting from the AirCover and Non-AirCover dropdown lists. The default selection for both is Rent, but you could easily choose another surcharge or create one yourself specifically for AirCover Resolutions.
How do these AirCover Resolution charges and transactions appear on individual bookings? On the individual Booking > Charges page, the AirCover Resolution will appear as a Processing Adjustment line item.
On the individual Booking > Transactions page, the AirCover Resolution Deposit will appear as a Payment line item.
Nice and tidy - no more transactions that appear to be guest "overpayments." To be clear, submitting AirCover Claims still occurs on the Airbnb platform, and these Airbnb AirCover Resolution Deposits are only available for users with the Airbnb Transaction Sync enabled.
Considering a new channel integration? Discover all of OwnerRez's Channel Management options!
OwnerRez Custom Sources (listing sites) allow you to attribute the source of bookings, inquiries, and quotes. Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, etc. are system listing sites. OwnerRez has long had custom sources, where you can add other non-system listing sites. But what if you need to disable a custom source you no longer need? Now you can! With our March 19th release, Custom Sources can be disabled and reenabled, and those settings are automatically carried through to discounts, surcharges, triggers, listing site conditions, and so on.
After a Custom Source is disabled, it will no longer be available for selection from a "Conditions > Listing Site > is > One Of" dropdown list. However, if you had previously selected that Custom Source as a "Conditions > Listing Site > is > One Of" selection, it will still be displayed on the dropdown list but will be appended with (Disabled). This will determine whether a trigger, discount, surcharge, etc, is applied, as the conditions will not be applied or send a template unless another listing site is selected.
Setting up your custom domain name often feels like navigating a maze of technical settings and obscure configuration options. With our March 26th release, OwnerRez has partnered with Name.com to provide users with a quick and straightforward way to purchase a discounted domain name for their hosted website and branded portal. Even more importantly, your OwnerRez-specific DNS settings will automatically be applied to your domain purchased through Name.com.
Configuring your domain name has never been easier. When you purchase your domain name from Name.com, your Domain Name System (DNS) record (a set of instructions used to connect domain names with internet protocol (IP) addresses within DNS servers) is automatically configured specifically for OwnerRez.
OwnerRez must maintain a balance between a fresh appearance and web accessibility during our redesign process. As we move from bold green to gray backgrounds in our dropdown lists for the Profile, Billing, and Inbox sections, it is essential to ensure that the new hover background color offers a sufficient contrast ratio. This will help maintain text readability, especially for individuals with low vision or color blindness.
As you may remember, here's an example of the bold green background color of the previous Profile dropdown list upon hovering.
As part of our March 26th release, OwnerRez has updated the background color of highlighted dropdowns on some pages from green to a more subtle gray upon hovering.
OwnerRez's Progressive Web App works seamlessly on mobile devices like phones and tablets. It functions the same across all screen sizes and can be installed as an app, allowing you to perform all desktop tasks on mobile devices. To close pop-ups on desktop, you just click anywhere not on the pop-up (or use Esc key). On mobile, some pop-ups are too wide, making it difficult to close them to return to the previous screen. With our March 12th release, OwnerRez has improved the functionality of in-app pop-ups by adding a close "X" button.
OwnerRez's Unified Inbox consolidates your communication across different platforms and is continually improving its functionality. In March, OwnerRez continued to implement updates to assist users in adapting to the new features.
The February release of the Unified Inbox Booking/Inquiry Received Placeholders was just that: placeholders. Last month, we circled back with the intended design. With our March 5th release, we tweaked the appearance of the Booking and Inquiry Received Event Indicators displayed in the Unified Inbox message pane. They now appear as system readouts, instead of messaging bubble placeholders.
When a booking is received, the Unified Inbox message pane displays the event indicator: "Booking confirmed for [number of guests] on [booking dates]"
Inquiries will appear similarly with the Unified Inbox message pane displaying the event indicator: "Inquiry received for [number of guests] on [booking dates]"
Explore all of OwnerRez's dynamic messaging features.
Adding additional or extra Airbnb guest fees increases revenue, helps cover additional costs, discourages overcrowding, and manages your property's wear and tear. However, those additional guest fees were not visible in OwnerRez because they were included in the rent display. With our March 12th release, extra Airbnb guest fees will now be clearly displayed as a separate line item in the individual Booking Charges tab.
With the exception of canceled bookings, these additional or extra Airbnb guest fees will only be displayed on active Airbnb channel-connected accounts for bookings arriving on or after January 1, 2025.
Thinking about upping your marketing game? Check out all of OwnerRez's Channel Integrations.
Airbnb co-hosts support property owners with the operational aspects of managing short-term vacation rentals, with the owner maintaining primary decision-making authority. Co-hosting duties may include managing guest communication, such as responding to inquiries, sending check-in and check-out instructions, addressing guest concerns during their stay, restocking essentials to keep the property guest-ready, and ensuring a seamless guest experience.
OwnerRez has improved its Airbnb Co-host Messaging settings as of March 19th by allowing users with multiple Airbnb channel integrations connected to designate a specific primary host for messaging.
There are two areas in the app where you can designate a specific primary host for messaging.
When co-hosts have designated a specific primary host for messaging for a specific property (Properties > specific Property > Listing Content > Channel Rules > Messaging > Send Airbnb Messages As), all templates and triggers will be sent from that co-host.
OwnerRez will attempt to use the selected account for any Airbnb messages you manually send within OwnerRez. If your preferred account is not a participant in the conversation, OwnerRez will send your message as the primary host, if possible, or the first available host otherwise.
Are you looking to level up your guest messaging? Check out all of OwnerRez's Dynamic Messaging options.
Sharing your hosted website boosts visibility and allows you to reach diverse audiences on various social media platforms aimed at different demographics. While Facebook was one of the first platforms to gain popularity, it is certainly not the only player in the ever-expanding world of social media. With our March 5th release, OwnerRez has changed the text "Facebook Share Image" to the more inclusive "Social Share Image" to reflect these changes.
You can adjust your Social Share Image by navigating to Settings > My Website > Hosted Websites > your Hosted Website > Change Settings > Social Share Image.
Thinking about a website for your vacation rental business? Check out all of the OwnerRez Hosted Website options.
Receiving spam Vrbo inquiry messages can be frustrating for OwnerRez users as these messages often promote irrelevant services or are booking scams. With our March 12th release, OwnerRez now notifies Vrbo of any inquiries marked as Spam. OwnerRez users will not be notified when Spam inquiries are sent or received by Vrbo, as this process occurs automatically in the background through the Vrbo channel integration. Marking as spam also still trains our spam tool which in turn helps you and other users out in the future.
You can mark Inquiries as spam by navigating to the specific Inquiry > Overview >, clicking on Mark as Spam, and selecting OK on the subsequent popup.
While Vrbo is still a great option, it's worth exploring the ever-expanding channel integrations offered by OwnerRez.
Renting adjacent or combined properties enables hosts to accommodate larger groups, enhancing guest experiences and revenue potential. This flexibility strengthens your market presence, allows for coordinated rates, and improves operational efficiency. Moving channel-connected bookings (especially Airbnb) from one property to another was a complicated process requiring users to disable and reenable mutual blocking and more.
That process just got streamlined as part of our March 19th release. Users can now move bookings in OwnerRez from one mutually blocked property to another property that's mutually blocked off more seamlessly.Read up on Mutual Blocking capabilities.
Door lock integrations streamline short-term rental management by enhancing security and improving the guest check-in experience. OwnerRez automatically generates and updates access codes for these locks with each booking, ensuring guests always have the correct door lock entry code. However, knowing which properties were using a specific door lock integration was difficult to ascertain until our March 12th release, when OwnerRez added the Properties column to the Door Lock Integrations Grid.
Is it time to replace a lock at your short-term vacation rental property? Discover all of the Door Lock Integrations that OwnerRez has to offer.
Connecting on the expansive and busy OwnerRez Forums allows you to connect with your OwnerRez peers, share best practices, learn about new features, and build a network among other vacation rental industry contemporaries. However, navigating the Forums sometimes proved challenging. With our March 12th release, OwnerRez has introduced the Latest Activity button in the forums, which allows users to view the most recent posts for all topics easily.
Scheduled payments and security deposits protect owners' and property managers' finances, minimize booking risks, ensure steady cash flow, and address potential damages or cancellations.
With our March 5th release, scheduled payments and security deposit collection, reauthorization, and release services will occur at midnight in each property's timezone rather than nightly at 3:00 AM EST, as in the past. The service will operate around that time, so it may not precisely start at midnight, but any properties within that timezone will be queued up.
While this change under the hood will probably not be apparent to users, it involved changes to many, many lines of code. Why make this change? This release lays the groundwork for future scheduled payments, security deposit collection, and release time localization options for users.
Consistent naming of various OwnerRez features is essential for clarity and helps to minimize confusion. We realized that some OwnerRez features in the Settings area, particularly Channel Integrations, formerly known as API Integrations, were being confused with OwnerRez APIs. Consequently, we have updated the following names in-app and in the Support Center for clarity as part of our March 12th release.
OwnerRez Support Center Articles are being updated as quickly as possible to reflect this change.
All OwnerRez Google Vacation Rentals (GVR) integrated properties are subject to Google's Price Accuracy Policy. Google computes a score for OwnerRez that provides ratings based on how often our GVR-integrated properties comply with Google's policy. This score serves as the basis for potential penalties, such as lower search rankings or delisting, that Google may impose on all OwnerRez GVR-integrated properties.
Because the stakes are so high for all OwnerRez GVR-integrated properties, we've implemented a 14-day process to delist Google Vacation Rentals API-connected properties that encounter continued price accuracy failures as part of our March 5th release.
For each property experiencing GVR price accuracy issues, you will receive daily email notifications titled "There are listing issues with your Google Vacation Rentals," and includes the following.
If you clear the GVR price accuracy listing issues for your property within 14 days, no further action is taken. If your property continues to experience GVR price accuracy issues after 14 days, your property will be automatically delisted from the OwnerRez Google Vacation Rentals integration.
Expose Floor Mattress Count in HA-XML API for Channel Partners. Historically, the floor mattress count for bedrooms was not included in the HA-XML API endpoint. OR added this to the HA-XML output to support Channel Partners who wish to display this information on their websites. Note that this addition does not apply to Vrbo.
Fix Auto-closing Status Dialog and Status of Disconnected Airbnb Listing. The Check Status dialog immediately closed on certain types of errors instead of displaying the issue to the user. Additionally, the Airbnb channel integration sometimes displayed an incorrect listing status when the listing was disconnected from Airbnb. We corrected this glitch, and the Check Status for deactivated or disconnected Airbnb channel integrations will be correctly displayed as Not Active.
Fix Duplicate Charges on Airbnb Booking Alterations Via Special Offers. Occasionally, duplicate charges were incorrectly applied to Airbnb Booking Alterations via Special Offers. OR fixed this bug, and charges will be correctly applied to Airbnb Booking Alterations via Special Offers.
Fix Error When Refunding a Booking. An edge case occurred that prevented a user from refunding a booking during the cancellation process. We resolved this issue to ensure users can correctly refund a booking during the cancellation process.
Fix Error When Showing Property Settings on Google Vacation Rentals Channel Page. Some users encountered errors when attempting to display property settings on their Google Vacation Rentals Channel Integration page. OR corrected this glitch, and users can properly display property settings on their Google Vacation Rentals Channel Integration page.
Fix Payment Form Errors After Payment Has Been Taken. Some guest payment form failures were incorrectly validated after the payment had already been taken, sometimes resulting in payment charges for OwnerRez users. We fixed this bug by ensuring that guest payment form validations occur prior to payment completion.
Fix Rent and Surcharge Format in Booking. Despite profile preference configurations, some rent and surcharge formats were not correctly displayed in bookings. OR resolved this issue to ensure rent and surcharge formats are displayed correctly in bookings according to profile preferences.
Fix Reviews Guest and Host Tabs Button Layout on Mobile. The text on the "Auto Show 5-Star Reviews" button has been changed to "Auto Show" on mobile to create more space for the + Record button to move up.
Fix Styling of "Free" Label on SMS Communication History. The styling of the "Free" label on the SMS Communication History was updated to align with other in-app labels.
PMv2:Remove Exterior Spaces From the Rooms Count in Structured Data Schema. OwnerRez Hosted Website Structured Data Schema incorrectly included exterior spaces in room counts. We corrected this issue by removing exterior spaces from room counts from the Structured Data Schema.
Add Auto-submit on 2FA Form on Login Screen. We have made some updates to the process for submitting Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) codes on the OwnerRez login page. Now, when you enter the 2FA code, it will be automatically submitted. Additionally, users can now use the horizontal (only) arrow keys to navigate the code input boxes.
Add the Count of Additional Addresses on the Contacts Grid. The Contacts grid did not display "(+1)" or "(+2)" etc. correctly when a contact had two or more addresses listed. We fixed this bug, and contacts with two or more addresses listed will display "(+1)" correctly on the Contacts grid.
Add Property Minimum Age Suitability of 18. The Property > Rules > Occupancy Restrictions > Minimum Age of Primary Renter has been updated to a minimum of 18 years old.
Add Type Filter and Column to Security Deposit Detail Report. OwnerRez now includes a Type filter dropdown list with options for Hold and Refundable and these selections will appear in the Type column on the Security Deposit Detail Report.
Fix Auto-complete Pop-up Appearing From Off-screen Search Box. An auto-complete popup incorrectly appeared due to an offscreen search box. We fixed this glitch so that the auto-complete popup will no longer appear.
Fix {BTRAVINS} to not omit the 5-day purchase window. The {BTRAVINS} field code was updated to support the February 12th Travel Insurance Expansion release that now includes a 5-day Damage Protection purchase window. OR has updated the {BTRAVINS} field code to correctly display the 5-day Damage Protection purchase window text in message templates.
Fix Error Caused by Converge Reauthorize Attempts. Converge security deposit hold reauthorization attempts caused errors because we attempted to renew the authorization by voiding the original authorization and then authorizing a new security deposit hold. OR resolved this issue by correctly handling Converge security deposit hold reauthorizations.
Fix Setting Airbnb Guest Reviews to Inactive When Submitting Host Review. This edge case occurred when a user manually marked a less-than-5-star review "shown." The review would be marked "hidden" again when the host review was sent to Airbnb. OwnerRez fixed this glitch so that the manually selected display status will persist regardless of API events like host review submission.
Fix Unrecognized Currency Error. This edge case occurred when an OwnerRez account whose default culture was set to one currency and whose properties were configured to use a different currency encountered currency errors. We fixed this issue to correctly accept payment based on the property's guest culture.
Improve Phone Number Search on Applicable Grid Filters. Occasionally, phone number searches on the Booking, Inquiry, and Quote grid filters resulted in errors. We fixed this bug to ensure that phone number searches on the Booking, Inquiry, and Quote grid filters will search properly.
Include Suggestions in LQA Duplicate Surcharge Warning. Listing Quality Analyzer (LQA) duplicate surcharge warnings did not include language regarding surcharge categories, so we have added language about surcharge category suggestions to the LQA duplicate surcharge warnings.
Prevent Download of Duplicate Images on Existing Airbnb Property Import. Occasionally, duplicate photos or images were incorrectly downloaded on an existing Airbnb property import process. OR resolved the issue by keeping the original image in OwnerRez and preventing duplicate downloads if a photo already exists with the same ID.
Remove Extra "Relative" Cancellation Policy Legal Language on Booking Forms if No Refunds. OwnerRez has changed the cancellation policy legal language to replace the words "total booking charges" with "booking's total," and we have removed the extra disclaimer sentence "All refund percentages are relative to the total booking charges, not the amount paid so far." where it exists.
Remove Option to Notify Guest When Canceling Blocked-off Time. Since there are no "guests" arriving for Blocked-off times, OwnerRez has removed the "Send cancellation notice to guest" checkbox from the Cancel Blocked-Off Time page.
Unified Inbox:Update Vrbo Contact Info and Hours on Channel Instructions Tab. The Vrbo contact information and hours have been updated on the Vrbo Channel Integration Instructions tab from "(9a-5p M-F CST)" to "(8 a.m. - 6 p.m. CST/CDT Monday-Friday)."
Update Wording on Option to Cancel Bookings When Disconnecting Airbnb Property. OwnerRez has updated the language on the Disconnect Airbnb Property page from Leave or Delete to Leave or Cancel for clarification.
Use Account Time Zone on Booking Message Detail Tooltips. Some dates displayed on Booking Message detail tooltips incorrectly displayed Coordinated Universal Times (UTC) rather than the OwnerRez configured account time format. OR resolved this issue, and Booking Message detail tooltips will correctly display the OwnerRez configured account time format.
Fix Airbnb Error for Special Offer Thread Message Sync. OwnerRez Airbnb messages containing Special Offers sometimes resulted in and displayed errors. OR resolved this issue to better handle Airbnb messages containing Special Offers.
Fix Error on Airbnb Booking Fee Snapshot. Following the March 12th release of support for Airbnb Additional Guest Fees, we noticed an error on some Airbnb booking fee snapshots. We fixed this bug to ensure that Airbnb booking fees are correct.
Fix Incorrect Number Format in Simple and Expanded Owner Statement Exports. The simple and expanded owner statement exports contained incorrect number formats. OR corrected this glitch so the simple and expanded owner statement exports contain the correct number formats.
Fix Incorrect Tax and Total Display on Booking Cancellation Charge Preview. Incorrect taxes and totals were displayed on the booking cancellation charge preview. We fixed this issue, and taxes and totals will be displayed correctly on the Booking Cancellation Charge preview.
PMv2Fix Airbnb Booking Cancellations From Being Re-opened on Duplicate Notification From Airbnb. In rare cases, there was a possibility of Airbnb booking event failures that received subsequent cancellations could result in reversing the cancellation. OR corrected this potential glitch to ensure that Airbnb cancellations are processed correctly.
Fix Attempting to Remove a Deposit From QuickBooks That Was Already Removed. Deleting a QuickBooks deposit did not successfully delete the deposit as anticipated. We resolved this issue so that QuickBooks deposits can be deleted correctly.
Fix Crash When Signing up for a New Airbnb Account. Some users encountered errors when attempting to sign up for a new Airbnb account via OwnerRez. OR fixed this bug to ensure that users can sign up for new Airbnb accounts via OwnerRez.
Fix Deposit Notification Preview Crash. On the Notifications page, the Airbnb Deposit Had Unresolved Resolutions Deposit Notification title was blank, and previews resulted in crash errors when clicked on. We corrected this glitch, and the Airbnb Deposit Had Unresolved Resolutions Deposit Notification title will be correctly displayed, and previews will work as expected.
Fix "Do not block other properties" From Blocking Other Properties When Using Mutual Blocking. When blocks were added to one property that is mutually blocked with the selection of "Do not block other properties," bookings made for the other mutually blocked property resulted in the error message stating, "The arrival and departure dates conflict with other bookings." OR fixed this bug so that mutually blocked property blocks with the "Do not block other properties" selection will allow bookings at other mutually blocked properties.
Fix Error Message for Currency Fields in Vrbo Commission Import. Error messages displayed for incorrectly formatted currency fields in the Vrbo Commissions import process were not helpful to users. We resolved this issue so that the Vrbo Commissions import process will display an understandable error message so that users can take action themselves to correct it.
Fix Formatting of "Already Reimbursed" and "Reimbursing Now" for Excel Expense Exports. Formatting for the "Already Reimbursed" and "Reimbursing Now" columns on owner statement Excel exports was incorrect. OR fixed this bug, and the formatting for the "Already Reimbursed" and "Reimbursing Now" columns on owner statement Excel exports will be correct.
Fix Property Share Availability Calendar to Show All Share Properties. Property Share availability calendars were incorrectly only displaying the availability of the Property Share owner's property availability. We resolved this issue, and Property Share availability calendars will display the availability of all Property Share properties.
Fix Removal of Allowed Characters From Booking.com Listing Description. Due to channel integration restrictions, OwnerRez's system regularly removes some non-alphanumeric characters from listing descriptions (e.g., asterisks, emojis, other symbols, etc.). However, our rules for Booking.com (BDC) listing descriptions were too stringent, and we determined that certain non-alphanumeric characters in BDC listing descriptions are allowed.
Fix Teaser Page for Blog Posts to Remove Extraneous Links. Hosted website blog post teaser pages displayed extraneous links incorrectly. OR fixed this bug, and hosted website blog post teaser pages will be displayed correctly.
Fix Totals Display on Booking and Expenses Excel Exports. Owner statement Excel exports were not displaying booking and expense totals correctly. We corrected the Owner statement Excel exports, and booking and expense totals will be displayed correctly.
Fix Widget Calendar Date Visual Overlap. Some hosted website availability widget calendar dates encountered visual overlaps when viewed on smaller screens. OR resolved this glitch so that hosted website availability widget calendar dates are displayed correctly on smaller screens.
Unified Inbox:
Can the demos be at a better time for AEDT, rather than 3 or 4am?
With spring right around the corner and a little luck in the air🍀, it’s the perfect time to embrace new beginnings and fresh ideas! We’re excited to announce our upcoming webinars for March.
This month, we are hosting weekly demos, live Q&As, and in-depth focus sessions on Hosted Website Setup & Customizations and Using the Rate Calendar. Check out the lineup below and register today to secure your spot! You can also catch up on previous sessions on our webinar page here.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join Adrielle from our Onboarding Team to learn about Hosted Website Setup & Customizations.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join us for a live Q&A Session with Steve from our Engagement Team.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join Adrielle from our Onboarding Team to learn about Using the Rate Calendar.
Join us for a live demo of OwnerRez! Our client engagement team will give a high-level demonstration of how OwnerRez looks across all of its menus and features.
Join us for a live Q&A Session with Steve from our Client Engagement Team!
Happy Friday!
We are launching back into action this Friday, fueled up and ready to deliver a fresh wave of industry news!
Before we begin, we want to ask: Are you Reppin’ the Rez? We love seeing you represent OwnerRez out in the wild, and now it's our turn to show some love back! Want to get featured and score some appreciation from us? Learn more here!
Let’s kick off this week’s Industry News with an interesting one! A Virgina short-term rental business, Highlight Homes, now accepts crypto payments for stays. Guests can now book using Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other leading cryptocurrencies. This move caters to the burgeoning community of digital nomads and tech-savvy travelers seeking seamless, secure, and swift transactions. Owner of Highlight Homes, Marshall Hays, says “Cryptocurrency is no longer just a financial tool–it’s a lifestyle. By accepting crypto payments, we’re meeting the demand of an increasingly digital traveler who wants to book a stay with ease and speed”. Cryptocurrency is here to stay, and this company is undoubtedly embracing the future.
Florence, Italy, is banning self check-in key boxes to combat the increasing prevalence of vacation rentals. This decision comes amid concerns that the rapid growth of short-term rentals is disrupting local communities and changing the character of historic neighborhoods. By restricting these key boxes, which allow guests to access their accommodations without direct interaction with hosts, city officials hope to promote a more regulated rental environment. This move aims to preserve the integrity of the city's cultural heritage while ensuring that residents can maintain a sense of community in the face of burgeoning tourism.
Cocoa Beach has now become the city with the highest vacation rental fees in Florida. The city raised its initial registration fee to $2,500, along with an annual renewal fee of $1,500. Airbnb stated to News 6, expressing concern that “significantly raising registration fees—potentially the highest in the state—could hinder residents' ability to open their homes to guests.” This substantial fee increase may pose a challenge for residents looking to share their homes and accommodate visitors. Cocoa Beach Mayor Keith Capizzi was the only commission member to vote against the significant fee increase.
Pinellas County commissioners have rejected proposed changes to the rules governing short-term rentals. These changes would have increased occupancy limits and decreased quiet hours. Residents expressed their opposition, raising concerns about noise, trash, and parking issues. Although Florida state law prevents the county from banning short-term rentals, officials plan to enhance enforcement measures and establish a registration system for these rentals.
A new study by AEG Policy Advisors suggests that regulating short-term rentals (STRs) in Colorado’s resort towns could do more economic harm than good by discouraging tourism, a key revenue source. The study recommends focusing on housing development rather than restrictive policies. However, the Colorado Association of Ski Towns (CAST) argues that while STRs benefit local economies, they also contribute to noise, parking issues, and a lack of affordable housing for local workers. The study also challenges the idea that STRs are the leading cause of rising housing costs, pointing instead to broader economic factors like interest rates and income levels. While STRs undeniably contribute to the economic vitality of Colorado's resort towns, the debate continues on effectively balancing these benefits with the need to maintain affordable housing and quality of life for residents.
Despite the challenges facing the short-term rental industry, plenty of innovation and progress is still on the horizon. One uplifting trend is the growing focus on accessible travel. Lorraine Woodward, a full-time wheelchair user, founded a listing service to address the scarcity of accessible short-term rentals. The platform, Becoming RentABLE, now lists nearly 1,200 properties, offering detailed filters for 43 adaptive features to ensure genuine accessibility. This initiative aims to simplify travel planning for individuals with disabilities, providing them with reliable accommodation options. While regulations and fees continue to reshape the vacation rental landscape, these efforts show that the heart of hospitality is still about welcoming everyone. The future of travel is not only about technology—it's about making sure every guest feels at home, no matter their journey.
That is all we have for this week! Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and be sure to check back next week for more Industry News. If you’re heading to the Poconos Short Term Rental Conference next week, stop by our booth and say hi!
Hi Rob,
Yes.
Yes, your mark up is a secret? Good to know.
Hi Rob,
Yes.
Thank you for the reply.
Is your add on a secret?
Hi James,
Thank you for your interest. We have had a lot of enquiries in the last day, and are still working through the messages.
Having said that, I cannot find any correspondence from you in your name. Could you please resend your email or share your connection ID (starts with "ora") if you have already connected with us.
Many thanks
Z
Hi Gerry,
I wouldn't say "a lot". It changes, also we have a lot of supply in Disney area and our customers tend to be price-conscious, which may mean no bookings to one, many to other PM.
We do not guarantee any number of bookings.
Z
I requested API Intergration 1 day ago. How long does it take to get connected?
Does Avanto do a lot of bookings in Orlando/Kissimmee (Disney area)?
Hi Rob,
You've guessed it. We add a fee between you and your guests.
Z
Hi Mark & Amanda,
Thank you for your interest. We do not charge home owners anything and there is no channel fee.
Z
