News
Stay updated with the latest STR industry news and regulations

This article discusses American Airlines' efforts to enhance the travel experience by leveraging AI and automation, focusing on personalization, efficiency, and anticipating customer needs. While not directly about STRs, it highlights how technology is being used to streamline travel, which is relevant to understanding broader trends in customer experience and how it may evolve in the future.
Last-minute Airbnb cancellations can be stressful for both hosts and guests. This article from NerdWallet offers guidance on what to do if your Airbnb booking is canceled last minute. It emphasizes understanding Airbnb's cancellation policies. The significance lies in being prepared and knowing your rights.
This article shares the experiences of an STR host who has grown their business from a single condo to nearly 30 properties, highlighting the importance of guest service and the use of OwnerRez. The host emphasizes that delivering a good guest experience is a key factor for success, and struggles with the power of OTAs and challenging guests. Consider OwnerRez as a key tool for managing your properties.
Lodgify has released Owner Statements 2.0, promising faster and clearer reporting for property managers. This update aims to cut down manual work and improve the quality of reports shared with owners.
This article discusses rising cyber risks and data challenges in the financial services industry, including fraud prevention using AI. While not directly about STRs, it highlights the importance of data quality, which directly impacts the effective use of AI for risk management and decision-making for STRs.
This article from BiggerPockets outlines critical winter tasks for landlords to protect their properties from common cold-weather damage, such as frozen pipes and slip-and-fall incidents. Hosts should clearly define winter responsibilities in their lease agreements and conduct mid-season inspections to mitigate risks and protect their investments. The article highlights the importance of investor-focused insurance, such as that provided by NREIG, to cover unexpected events.

This article from iGMS explains Booking.com's refund policies and cancellation options for hosts. It highlights the importance of choosing a cancellation policy that balances flexibility to attract bookings with financial considerations, and encourages hosts to experiment with different policies and rates to find the ideal balance.

This article discusses the ways Airbnb accounts can be hacked, including phishing, credential stuffing, and brute-force attacks. It emphasizes the importance of strong, unique passwords, two-factor authentication, and regular account monitoring to protect your account. Hosts should change their passwords immediately if they suspect a breach and contact Airbnb support.
This article highlights the Florida Realtors' long-term commitment to providing technology solutions for real estate professionals. The organization's tools, such as Form Simplicity and Sabal Sign, are designed to support members' success and offer cost savings. Hosts can take note of the benefits of these member-driven tools and evaluate whether they're suitable for their own business operations.
Airbnb is deploying anti-party technology across several countries for New Year's Eve to reduce disruptive parties. Hosts should be aware of this technology and the potential consequences of allowing parties, which can lead to account removal and financial responsibility. Consider reporting any concerns about bookings or social media activity to Airbnb's customer support.
Airbnb is rolling out new anti-party technology for New Year's Eve stays to combat unauthorized gatherings. This initiative aims to protect hosts' properties and reduce disruptions for neighbors. The implementation of this technology highlights Airbnb's ongoing efforts to maintain a positive experience for both hosts and guests during high-demand periods.
A new wildfire defense system using infrasound technology is being introduced in California, offering an alternative to water-based systems. This system can detect and extinguish embers before they ignite, potentially saving homes from fire damage. Hosts in fire-prone areas may want to explore this technology to protect their properties.
Cybercriminals are using AI to create deepfakes and target real estate transactions, including wire fraud. Hosts should be aware of this evolving threat, particularly concerning payment instructions, and implement consistent verification procedures to protect themselves.

This article discusses Disney's investment in AI and its potential impact on their travel business, including parks and cruises. While not directly about STRs, it highlights the growing importance of AI in travel, which could influence future guest experiences and operational efficiency in the hospitality industry. Hosts should pay attention to how AI is used in the travel sector, as these technologies may eventually become relevant to STR operations.
This article discusses the shift in homeowner search behavior towards AI, which necessitates adaptation from vacation rental managers. Hosts need to stay informed on AI-driven tools to effectively manage their listings and stay competitive.
This article discusses how STR CEOs should focus their time to scale their businesses effectively, emphasizing strategic priorities over being constantly busy. It highlights the importance of recognizing bottlenecks, managing decision fatigue, and leveraging AI for efficiency. Hosts managing multiple listings can benefit by rethinking their priorities and identifying the most impactful areas for their attention.
This article from BiggerPockets discusses the importance of ensuring your short-term rental property insurance coverage is based on rebuild value, not market value. It explains how underinsuring your property can lead to significant out-of-pocket costs in case of a total loss. Hosts should review their insurance policies annually and report any property upgrades to ensure accurate coverage.
This article from BiggerPockets discusses how to organize your rental business for 2026 and beyond. It emphasizes the importance of automation, streamlining processes, and creating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to reduce stress and improve scalability. Hosts should implement these strategies to run their rentals more efficiently and prepare for growth.
Cleaning staff shortages are significantly impacting short-term rental operations, leading to lost bookings and negative reviews. The article highlights how staffing issues, particularly in cleaning, are a strategic fault line, affecting guest experience and revenue. Hosts should focus on systemizing cleaning processes and reducing coordination overhead to mitigate these challenges.
OwnerRez has updated its PayPal integration to include Venmo and Pay Later options, offering a new checkout experience for guests. Hosts using the current PayPal connection must upgrade by December 31st to continue processing payments and avoid payment errors.