How to Hire the Right Airbnb/Short-Term Rental Property Manager

So, you’ve invested in a short-term rental (STR) property. Whether it’s a chic downtown loft in Indianapolis, a cozy lakefront cottage in Brooklyn, or a high-demand student rental in Ann Arbor, you’re ready to start seeing those five-star reviews. But there’s a catch: the "passive income" dream often feels like a full-time job.

Hiring an Airbnb property manager is the logical next step to reclaiming your time. However, picking the wrong one can lead to tanked rankings and expensive repairs. At Lemon Clean Co., we’ve handled thousands of turnovers, and we’ve seen exactly what separates a professional management team from an amateur.

Here is how to vet a property manager to ensure your investment is in good hands.

1. Look for Experience, Not "Experimentation"

The short-term rental market in areas like Jackson, MI and Central Indiana is nuanced. You don’t want a manager who is "learning the ropes" on your property.

• Ask for their portfolio: Do they manage properties similar to yours?

• Local expertise: A manager in Ann Arbor needs to understand football Saturday demand, while a manager in Indianapolis needs to know how to price for massive conventions like Gen Con.

• The "Mistake" Factor: Inexperienced managers often miss city-specific regulations or fail to vet guests properly, leading to parties and property damage.

2. The Maintenance Backbone

An Airbnb is a high-traffic environment. Things will break. A top-tier property manager should have an in-house maintenance team or a reliable roster of 24/7 contractors.

Critical Question: How do they handle and bill for repairs? Do they have a "maintenance cap" where they handle small fixes (like lightbulbs or leaky faucets) automatically? Or do they upcharge you 20% on every contractor invoice? You want transparency, not a surprise bill at the end of the month.

3. Multi-Channel Distribution

If your manager only lists on Airbnb, you’re leaving money on the table. In the Southern Michigan and Greater Indianapolis markets, travelers use:

• Vrbo (Essential for lake houses in Brooklyn and Jackson)

• Booking.com (Great for city stays)

• Direct Booking Sites (To avoid platform fees)

• Social media presence

Ensure your manager uses a Channel Manager to sync calendars across all platforms to avoid the dreaded double-booking.

4. The Cleaner Relationship (The Most Important Part!)

As an Airbnb cleaning company ourselves, we know that the cleaners are the true "boots on the ground." A property manager is only as good as their cleaning team.

• Ask them: How do they work with their vendors?

• Communication: Do they use automated software to sync check-out times with the cleaners?

• Quality Control: Does the manager perform a walkthrough after the clean but before the guest arrives?

At Lemon Clean Co., we pride ourselves on being the reliable partner that property managers in Indianapolis, Jackson, and Ann Arbor trust to keep their listings spotless and guest-ready.

Questions to Ask Before You Turn Over the Keys

Before you sign a contract, ask your potential manager these questions:

1. Maintenance: Walk me through your 2:00 AM emergency protocol: If a pipe bursts or a smart lock fails, who is being dispatched? (outside vendor or in-house staff?)

2. Local: Are you local? Do you have a local team but operate remotely?

3. Maintenance: How do you handle and bill for repairs? Do you have a "maintenance cap" where you handle small fixes (like lightbulbs or leaky faucets) automatically? Or do you upcharge on every contractor invoice? You want transparency, not a surprise bill at the end of the month.

4. Upkeep: What is your specific 'pre-check' process for documenting property condition? How do you handle quailty checks and how often?

5. About: How many properties do you currently manage in [Your City]? When did you start managing properties?

6. Maintenance: Do you have an emergency local contact for "boots on the ground" issues? Or do you handle this in-house with your own staff members?

7. Operations: How do you handle guest-inflicted damage? (Ask about their experience with Airbnb AirCover and insurance claims).

8. Operations: Can you walk me through the process, or can I see a sample of your monthly owner statement and payment structure?

9. Operations: How do you handle the turnover cleans?

10. Revenue: Is the revenue paid out on a rolling basis or a set monthly date?

11. Operations: Do you use a rotating 'gig-economy' cleaning app, or do you have a dedicated partnership with a specialized STR cleaning company like Lemon Clean Co. that understands staging and inventory management?

12. Operations: Do you strictly hire outside vendors such as maintenance or cleaners that are licensed and insured?

13. About: Are you licensed and insured?

Why Lemon Clean Co. is the Preferred Partner

Whether you are a self-managed host or a large property management firm, your success depends on cleanliness. Lemon Clean Co. provides professional, tech-driven short-term rental cleaning in Indianapolis and surrounding areas, and in Southern Michigan - Jackson, Brooklyn, and Ann Arbor. We handle the laundry, the restocking, and the staging so you can focus on scaling your business.

Ready to level up your guest experience? Contact Lemon Clean Co. today for a custom turnover quote!