Short-term rental availability: 5 smart ways to maximise bookings

Managing your property’s availability isn’t just about setting dates on a calendar. It’s a smart strategy that can boost your booking rate and rental returns. If your property isn’t available when travellers are searching, you’re letting your competitors steal your business. But if you take a smart approach to availability management, you can secure more bookings, make the most of peak periods, and avoid long vacancy gaps.

Whether you’re a seasoned host or just starting out, knowing how to manage your property's availability can make all the difference between a thriving short-term rental and a listing that just sits there. Let’s dive into what matters and how you can stay ahead.

What to consider when managing your property’s availability

Before you start changing your calendar, it’s important to know what affects availability and bookings. Here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Seasons and local events

Pay attention to when your area is busiest and slowest. Big local events, festivals, or holidays can make people want to book more. If you block your calendar during these times, you’re missing out on potential guests.

2. Minimum night stays

If you want to encourage guests to book longer stays, you can set a minimum number of nights. But remember to be flexible and don’t make it too difficult for people to book shorter stays.

3. Lead time for bookings

Some guests book months in advance, while others just a few days before. If you set up your listing to be flexible with both long and short lead times, you’ll have a wider range of potential guests.

4. Maintenance and personal use

Plan around times when you’ll need the property for yourself or to do maintenance. But don’t block too much time unnecessarily.

How can you manage your property’s availability to attract more bookings?

Here are some practical tips to help you stay competitive:

1. Use dynamic minimum stays

During busy times like holidays and weekends, bump up the minimum stay to three nights. But, let guests stay shorter (one or two nights) on weekdays or during off-peak seasons. This way, you can make more money per booking while still keeping the place full.

2. Open your calendar in advance

Many travellers book their dream getaways months in advance, especially during peak seasons. Make sure your calendar is open at least 12 months out to catch these early birds.

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3. Monitor local events and update regularly

Keep an eye on event calendars. If a music festival, sports event, or conference is announced, make sure your availability is open and adjust your pricing to capitalise on the rush of people wanting to attend.

4. Automate where possible

Use channel managers or a dynamic pricing tool to adjust your minimum stay and pricing based on demand. But don’t forget to regularly review and tweak it to stay competitive.

5. Don’t block dates prematurely

Unless you’re absolutely certain you need a date blocked, keep your calendar open. You never know when a last-minute booking might come your way, and it could be a real money-maker, especially if you allow guests with good reviews to book instantly.

How to handle changes in property availability

Things can change up - emergencies, personal stuff, or even maintenance can throw a wrench in your schedule. But how you handle these changes is what really matters.

• Keep in touch with guests who have to cancel if it’s unavoidable. Offer other options if you can.
• Move maintenance work to times when demand is low to avoid losing money.
• For a while, raise the minimum stay instead of blocking dates if you’re not sure if you’ll have enough rooms but still want to keep the door open for longer stays.

Flexibility and good communication keep your guest ratings intact while protecting your income.

Managing your property’s availability efficiently throughMadeComfy

Partnering with an expert property manager like MadeComfy takes the stress out of availability management. Here’s how we can help maximize your rental returns:

• Dynamic pricing and calendar optimisation: MadeComfy uses data-driven insights to optimise your listing’s availability and pricing based on demand, seasonality, and local events.
• Professional booking management: Our team handle guest communications, screening, and calendar adjustments, ensuring your property is always available at the right times.
• Maintenance coordination: MadeComfy schedules property maintenance during off-peak times, avoiding unnecessary blocked dates.
• Multi-Platform management: Your property is listed and managed across major platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Stayz, maximising exposure without overbooking risks.

Ready to maximise your bookings?

Want to run a successful short-term rental? Managing your availability is crucial. But don’t worry, you don’t have to do it all by yourself. MadeComfy’s experts will take care of everything, making sure your property stays competitive, optimised, and guest-ready. And the best part? You’ll enjoy the returns without the hassle.

CONTACT US today to get more bookings and higher returns on your short-term rental.