Spring Break has finally arrived!
We wanted to share some exciting initiatives with you that we have started during our down time. First, we have been going through each property performing our yearly pre-season maintenance inspections.
These inspections consist of a 100-point rental-ready checklist that includes:
- Room-by-room inspections
- Checking furniture condition
- Inspecting window/Bathroom caulk condition
- Kitchen amenity inventory
- Functionality of all appliances.
We have also maintained frequent walk-thru inspections during the off season while properties experienced longer down times to ensure the safety of your home and to spot any inconsistencies.
While occupancy for properties is important, we feel that property oversight is equally, if not more important, to the longevity of your investment. This is the first of many additions to our Property condition initiative this year. Stay tuned for our newest addition to our suite of cutting-edge operations technology.
LTGC Housekeeping Academy Graduates First Class of 2020
Another major initiative that we have just completed is our new Live The Gulf Coast Housekeeping Academy. We brought in each housekeeping vendor and inspectors to go through an extensive training program.
The program consisted of:
-Detailed instruction on preparing properties for our Guests
-“Follow the Wall” Technique explained below
– Standard Operating Procedures for securing homes
– Pest and Bed Bug recognition and Best Practices
– Recommended Cleaning Agents and Secrets of the trade
A major focus in the program was attention to detail in everything we do. Or as we call it “Sweep The Corners”. The program was well received by our vendors, and they will be required to re-certify each quarter throughout the year. We will also be assisting them in training their new staff as they gear up for season.
“Follow the Wall” Technique
One of the foundational pieces of an outstanding housekeeping routine is the discipline to follow the wall. When we first learned this principle it was a professional, life-changing experience and I encourage you to try this in your own home to ensure a thorough clean, EVERY TIME.
This principle has served us well when we clean and when we inspect during a changeover. Essentially, it is just using the wall as the roadmap for the cleaning practice by literally touching the wall as you move through the property. It ensures that every part of the property is looked at in a systematic and orderly way, including the closets, cabinets, under furniture, and behind doors.
In the hospitality industry, both the housekeeper and then the inspector practice following the wall. When following the wall, either to clean the property or to inspect it, there are several things to remember:
- Scan from top to bottom as you move through the property. In other words start looking at the top corner of the wall and continue all the way to the bottom of the base board.
- Use furniture, counters, or differences in flooring to create invisible walls. This ensures you check every part of the property. (If you don’t do this you risk missing kitchen islands or the furniture in the middle of the room.
- When checking dressers or cabinets, start scanning at the bottom and work your way up. This allows for a more efficient flow around the property.
- If there are multiple levels to a property work on each floor as its own section.
- Finish the route in the kitchen (or at least have the kitchen as close to the end as possible). The location of the kitchen which is where you will be finishing should determine which hand you will follow the wall with.
Following this pattern creates a repeatable process that allows our team to consistently produce the right balance of quality and speed as the work is completed. If you have housekeeper recommendations and would like a Complimentary Admission to our next Housekeeping Academy, Contact your Property Manager today.
Our New Maintenance Plan can Reduce Yearly Costs up to 20%
The reactive maintenance approach, or “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” is expensive and inefficient. Vacation rental property managers with this mindset wind up spending more time and energy repairing items in homes than they do inspecting and maintaining them. Some managers are even forced to vacate a home mid-season due to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system malfunctions, losing thousands of dollars in rental revenue every year. Servicing rental units routinely is the best way to ensure working order of all the mechanics and aesthetics of a luxury home.
Routine Monthly Maintenance Service consists of a bimonthly inspection, including but not limited to:
– A visual check of interior aesthetics
– Verifying operation of appliance and systems,
– Treatment of HVAC condensation lines
– Visual inspection of landscaping,
blowing off of courtyard and porches,
debris pick up of the grounds.
As needed, staff will replace:
– Light bulbs (cost of standard bulbs included) (cost of halogen, fluorescent, and so forth are not),
– HVAC filters (cost of filters included), and
– Batteries (cost of batteries included).
Not only is this department here to maintain the units but to assist the vacationing guest. Situations arise for which we provide on-call service 24/7 to respond and resolve issues. Also, we prepare and protect each of our homes for any harsh or inclement weather automatically, so you do not have to worry from afar about your investment. The maintenance department can also perform specific specialty tasks as requested by the homeowner like painting and minor remodeling. We pride ourselves in being a one-stop shop, so there is no job too big or small. If we do not handle it in-house, trusted contractors are standing by that we can coordinate anything with on your behalf. Ask your Property Manager how you can enroll today!
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