17 Vacation Rental Manager Interview Questions and Answers

As a vacation rental manager, you are responsible for the care and upkeep of a vacation rental property, as well as the management of guests. Your duties may include cleaning and maintaining the property, handling guest inquiries and reservations, and coordinating with other staff members.

To get hired for a vacation rental manager job, you will likely need to go through an interview process. This may include a phone screen, an in-person interview, or both. During the interview, the interviewer will ask you questions to assess your qualifications for the job.

To help you prepare, we have compiled a list of common vacation rental manager interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with the local zoning laws and regulations regarding short-term rentals?

The interviewer may ask you questions like this to make sure that you’re familiar with the local laws and regulations regarding vacation rentals. They want to know that you’ll be able to follow these rules, which can help protect their property from fines or other penalties. In your answer, try to show that you understand how important it is to comply with local laws and regulations.

Example: “I am very familiar with the local zoning laws and regulations regarding short-term rentals. I have been working in this industry for five years now, so I’ve had plenty of time to learn about all of the different rules and regulations. For example, here in Florida, we are only allowed to rent out our properties for up to 30 days per year. We also need to obtain a license before renting out our properties.”

What are some of the most important qualities that a vacation rental manager should have?

An interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your personality and how you would fit in with their company. They want to know that you have the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the job. In your answer, try to highlight some of the most important qualities a vacation rental manager should have while also explaining why these are important to you.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities a vacation rental manager can have is patience. I’ve worked in customer service before, so I understand that sometimes guests will be unhappy or confused. However, I am always willing to help them find solutions to their problems. Another quality I think is important is organization. Vacation rentals often have many different types of customers, so it’s important to keep track of all the information we receive from them.”

How would you resolve a conflict with a dissatisfied guest?

Vacation rental managers often have to resolve conflicts with guests. Employers ask this question to make sure you know how to handle these situations effectively. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to solve the problem and keep it from happening again.

Example: “I once had a guest who was unhappy because we didn’t have enough towels in their unit. I called them up immediately and apologized for the inconvenience. They were satisfied when I offered to bring over some extra towels right away. To prevent this situation from happening again, I made sure all units had plenty of towels before each guest checked in.”

What is your experience with property management software?

Vacation rental managers often use property management software to keep track of their clients, properties and other important information. The interviewer may ask this question to learn about your experience with specific types of software and how you’ve used it in the past. In your answer, describe which type of software you’re familiar with and what benefits you experienced while using it.

Example: “I have worked with several different types of property management software throughout my career. I find that vacation rental management software is one of the most useful tools for keeping track of all of my client’s information, including payment history and preferences. This software also allows me to create a calendar of events so I can plan ahead for upcoming reservations.”

Provide an example of a time when you went above and beyond to ensure a guest’s satisfaction.

Vacation rental managers are responsible for ensuring their guests have a positive experience. Employers ask this question to learn more about your customer service skills and how you handle challenging situations. In your answer, describe a time when you went above and beyond to ensure a guest’s satisfaction. Explain what steps you took to resolve the issue or make them happy.

Example: “When I first started managing vacation rentals, I had a couple who booked a house with us last minute. They were visiting from out of state and wanted to stay in our area. Unfortunately, we didn’t have any houses available that met their needs. I called around to other local rental companies to see if anyone had anything available. After calling several places, I found a house that was available. The owners agreed to rent it to us at a discounted rate so we could accommodate the family. We ended up having an excellent experience with the family and they returned every year after that.”

If a property needed renovations, how would you determine the costs and prioritize them?

Vacation rental managers often need to make decisions about how to allocate funds for repairs and renovations. This question helps the interviewer assess your financial management skills and ability to prioritize projects. In your answer, explain how you would evaluate costs and determine which ones are most important to complete first.

Example: “I would start by determining what needed to be fixed immediately versus those that could wait until later. I would also consider whether or not the property was generating revenue at all. If it wasn’t, then I would want to fix anything that would allow guests to stay there comfortably. For example, if a bathroom sink is broken but the rest of the unit is in good condition, I would probably repair the sink before other issues.”

What would you do if a property was infested with pests?

Vacation rental managers may need to handle a variety of situations that arise during their workday. An interviewer might ask this question to learn how you would respond to an unexpected problem. In your answer, describe the steps you would take to solve the issue and reassure the employer that you are capable of handling challenging situations.

Example: “I once had a property where ants were infesting the kitchen area. I called the pest control company who treated the home for ants. Afterward, I inspected the property daily to ensure there weren’t any more pests or problems. The property was clear of ants after two weeks, so I scheduled another inspection to make sure everything was okay.”

How well do you handle stress?

Vacation rental managers often have to handle a lot of stress. They need to be able to manage their time well and solve problems quickly. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle the job’s demands. In your answer, explain how you stay calm under pressure. Share some strategies that help you remain focused and productive when things get busy.

Example: “I find that I work best when I am organized. When I keep my desk clean and my files in order, it makes it much easier for me to find what I’m looking for. I also try to avoid multitasking as much as possible. Instead, I focus on one task at a time. This helps me complete each project more efficiently. Finally, I take regular breaks throughout the day. These short breaks give me a chance to relax and recharge.”

Do you have experience managing a budget for short-term rentals?

Vacation rental managers often need to manage a budget for their short-term rentals. This question helps the interviewer determine if you have experience with this type of responsibility and how well you can handle it. Use your answer to highlight your ability to create budgets, monitor expenses and stay within a set spending limit.

Example: “I’ve worked in vacation rental management for five years now, so I’m quite familiar with creating budgets and monitoring expenses. In my previous role, I was responsible for managing our company’s budget for each property we rented out. I would regularly check in with owners to ensure they were staying within their budget and alert them when costs exceeded expectations. As a result, I learned how to be proactive about budgeting and tracking expenses.”

When is the best time to market a vacation rental?

Vacation rental managers need to know when to market their properties for the best results. Hiring managers want to see that you understand how to promote your property and get it rented out during peak times. When answering this question, consider what time of year is most popular for vacation rentals in your area. Explain why you think that time is a good one to advertise your property.

Example: “I believe the best time to market a vacation rental is during the summer months. In my last position, I noticed that our highest occupancy rates were during the summer. This was because we had a lot of families renting our home who wanted to be close to the beach. We started marketing our house more heavily during the summer months, which led to an increase in bookings.”

We want to increase our online presence. What social media platforms would you use to promote our properties?

Vacation rental managers need to be familiar with the most effective social media platforms for promoting their properties. This question allows you to show your knowledge of online marketing and how it can help increase vacation rental bookings.

Example: “I would use Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest as my primary social media channels because they have the highest engagement rates among vacationers. I would also create a blog on our website where I could share tips and advice about traveling in the area. Blogs are an excellent way to build trust with potential guests and establish ourselves as experts in the industry.”

Describe your process for hiring and training maintenance and cleaning staff.

Vacation rental managers often need to hire and train staff. This question helps the interviewer understand your hiring process, how you evaluate potential employees and what training methods you use. Use examples from previous experiences to describe your process for finding qualified candidates and helping them learn their job duties.

Example: “I start by posting a job listing online and in local newspapers. I also post on social media sites like Facebook and LinkedIn. In my advertisement, I list the qualifications needed for the position and explain that we offer competitive wages and benefits. I receive many applications, so I review each one carefully and call those who seem most qualified for an interview.

During the interview, I ask questions about their experience and skills and give them a tour of our facilities. If they pass this stage, I have them complete a background check and drug test before making my final decision.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. When answering this question, it can be helpful to highlight a skill or experience that makes you unique from other candidates. You may also want to mention any skills you have that will help you succeed in the role.

Example: “I am passionate about vacation rentals and customer service. I’ve worked as a concierge for several years, so I understand what guests need when they’re on vacation. I’m excited to use my communication skills to answer questions and solve problems for guests who are staying at one of our properties.”

Which software programs do you use most often?

Vacation rental managers often use a variety of software programs to manage their properties and customers. The interviewer wants to know which ones you’re familiar with so they can determine if you have the necessary skills for the job. If you don’t have experience using vacation rental management software, explain what other types of software you’ve used in the past.

Example: “I’m very comfortable using vacation rental management software like Vacasa’s HomeAway Pro platform. I also regularly use Google Docs and Dropbox to collaborate with my team members on projects. In my last role, I learned how to use Microsoft Project to create detailed schedules for our maintenance staff.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service?

Vacation rental managers need to be able to provide excellent customer service. This question helps the interviewer determine how you prioritize your customers’ needs and whether you have experience providing great customer service in a previous role. Your answer should include an example of how you provided exceptional customer service in the past.

Example: “I think that communication is the most important aspect of customer service. I always make sure to communicate with my clients regularly, especially when they are booking their vacation. For instance, if there is bad weather during their stay, I will reach out to them to see if they want to reschedule or cancel their trip. If they decide to go ahead with their trip, I am available by phone or email to help them with any questions they may have.”

How often should you perform routine maintenance on properties?

Vacation rental managers are responsible for ensuring their properties are in good condition and ready to rent. Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your maintenance skills and how often you perform them. In your answer, explain the frequency with which you perform routine maintenance on vacation rental properties. Explain that you have experience performing these tasks and can do so efficiently.

Example: “I believe it’s important to regularly maintain vacation rental properties. I typically inspect each property once a week during peak season and once every two weeks during off-season. During my inspections, I check all areas of the property for any damages or issues. If I find something that needs repair, I make sure to fix it as soon as possible. This helps ensure our guests have a positive experience when they stay at our properties.”

There is a decrease in demand for short-term rentals in the area. What would you do to increase sales?

Vacation rental managers need to be able to adapt to changing market conditions. An interviewer may ask you this question to see how you would respond to a challenging situation. In your answer, try to show that you have the ability to think creatively and develop new strategies for success.

Example: “I believe there are always ways to increase sales. If I were faced with decreasing demand in my area, I would first look at our existing marketing channels to see if we could improve them. For example, I might create more targeted ads on social media or add additional keywords to our website. I would also consider adding new features to our vacation rental listings to make them more appealing.”