Connecticut is a charming destination with a rich history and culture, picturesque countryside, and charming coastal towns. The state also boasts numerous museums, theaters, and historic sites, which attract visitors throughout the year.
Top Connecticut Airbnb Management Companies
The best Airbnb management companies in Connecticut include:
- Awning: Best Overall Airbnb Manager
- RedAwning: Best Half-Service Airbnb Management Solution
- Avantstay: Best Luxury Short-term Rental Management Company
- ReRent New Haven: Best For Local Presence
Top Connecticut Airbnb Management Companies by City
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How We Researched the Top Connecticut Airbnb Management Companies
The criteria we used to select and rank the top Airbnb management companies in Connecticut include:
- Services: We looked at whether a company is a half-service or full-service provider and whether it covers all expected services within each category.
- Pricing: We considered whether an Airbnb property manager has a clear pricing structure covering all services. We also looked at what additional fees hosts will need to pay.
- Value for money: We evaluated whether the provided services and the expected fee offer the best value for money.
- Business model: We investigated whether a company uses the latest real estate technology while retaining human touch, which is crucial in property management.
- Reviews: We took into consideration whether companies have a strong online presence and whether reviews are positive or negative.
- Number of listings: We searched for the Airbnb management companies with the most active listings in the market.
To maximize your vacation rental investments in Connecticut , connect with an Awning property manager now.
How to Choose a Connecticut Airbnb Management Company
Choosing the right Airbnb management company is just as vital as selecting a property with great rental potential for the success of your business. This is especially true in a state like Connecticut where many cities have strict regulations and restrictions on short-term rentals.
When making this decision, focus on the same factors that we used in our ranking of the top Connecticut Airbnb management companies:
- Services: Do you want to be involved in the management of your property (half-service is better) or do you want a completely passive income experience (full-service is necessary)? What services do you expect from the Airbnb manager and what tasks would you like to handle yourself? Does your property need to be furnished and ready for guests or do you need assistance with this?
- Pricing: How much are you willing to pay for a fully passive investment experience or for extra help in managing your vacation rental?
- Value for money: Compare the services provided by several different property management companies and the fees they charge, including the monthly fee and additional charges.
- Business model: Would you prefer to work with a nationwide or local property manager? Do you want national accountability or a personal touch from a local manager? Does the company seem trustworthy and transparent?
- Reviews: Check online reviews from both property owners and guests. If possible, speak with a few local investors who work with each property management company you are considering.
- Number of listings in Connecticut: Choose a company that has a strong presence in the Connecticut market but is not overwhelmed or understaffed. You want to work with an experienced professional who has adequate local resources.
When interviewing your top choices for a Connecticut short-term rental property management company, ask the following questions:
- Are you a local property manager or a nationwide company?
- How many years of experience do you have managing short-term rentals?
- How many properties are you currently managing?
- What is the size of your local team?
- Do you have an in-house local management team or do you work with outside vendors?
- What is your track record for increasing revenue in the local market?
- Do you provide help with getting properties ready, including interior design, furnishings, short-term rental licenses and permits, and taxes?
- Do you handle the collection of money from guests and remit payments to owners, or do booking fees go directly to the property owner?
- Do you offer cleaning, laundry, and restocking services?
- Do you conduct property inspections and maintenance work?
- Do you manage swimming pools and hot tubs?
- What is your Airbnb property management fee and what does it cover? Are there any additional fees and costs? Is there an onboarding and/or early-termination fee?
- May I review a copy of the property management agreement?
- How do I cancel your services?
- Will I retain my property reviews if I choose to opt out?
Answering these questions will help you select the best Airbnb property management company in Connecticut that meets your specific needs.
How Airbnb Management Works
There are two broad types of Airbnb property management companies: full-service and half-service.
Full-service property managers are those that take care of all the aspects of owning and running a short-term rental business. They help:
The best full-service Airbnb management companies help investors achieve passive income while boosting performance.
Half-service Airbnb property managers usually focus on listings, marketing, revenue management, guest communication and support, and taxes. Some of them offer to connect property owners with vetted local vendors for the services they do not cover.
Vacation rental property management companies can be national (covering most US markets) or local (focusing on a specific city). Both come with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Property management fees range widely in the US market: between 10% and 50% of revenue, with 20-25% of revenue being the average for full-service providers. Some companies charge different rates for different markets and different property types. Property managers frequently charge extra for services outside the core package, like interior design, furnishing, insurance, linen, etc.
The top vacation rental management companies have flexible terms and do not require long-term commitment on behalf of property owners. However, some expect quarterly or annual commitments.
Some Airbnb property managers focus on specific property types, like luxury rentals, group travel rentals, apartments, etc., while others work with most residential properties. Different companies have different eligibility requirements; for example, half-service property managers work with furnished short term rentals, while some full-service companies prefer to be directly involved in design and furnishing.
One thing property owners should keep in mind is that most Airbnb management companies list rentals under their brand name, so hosts lose the reviews and rankings once they leave. A noticeable exception is Awning, which allows properties to keep reviews.
How to Start an Airbnb in Connecticut
To start an Airbnb business in Connecticut, you must:
- Locate the most suitable location for your investment property (where short term rentals are allowed and ROI is high)
- Identify a property with high potential
- Verify that the zoning district allows for short term rentals
- Engage the services of a real estate agent to aid in purchasing the property
- Carry out renovations (if necessary)
- Furnish the rental space
- Choose a business structure
- File the necessary tax and employer identification documents
- Apply for a vacation rental license from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection
- Obtain the necessary local licenses and permits from the city (most cities in Connecticut require them)
- Decide whether to manage the property yourself or hire a professional Airbnb management company
- List the property and start accepting guests
- Provide ongoing maintenance and services to guests.
Your choice of management will impact whether you earn passive income or not.
Connecticut Airbnb Laws and Regulations
Short-term rental laws in Connecticut are currently regulated at the local level, with no statewide legislation in place. However, some municipalities in Connecticut have chosen to regulate short-term rentals through their local zoning codes. Effective October 1, 2019, short-term rental facilitators are required to collect and remit room occupancy tax on Connecticut short-term rentals that they facilitate.
In Hartford, short-term rental regulation requires operators to obtain a zoning permit before offering short-term rentals and establishes limitations related to rental frequency, rental length, owner-occupancy, maximum number of guests, and rentals that become a nuisance to neighbors.
There are minimum usable floor area requirements of 70 square feet for one person and 50 square feet for each additional person, including children aged one or older. Connecticut needs to develop a statewide statutory and regulatory scheme that enables short-term rentals while protecting the interests of all the stakeholders.
Finally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 7T which prohibited the provision of short-term lodging for leisure, vacation, and other purposes in Connecticut, except in limited circumstances.
Takeaway
Starting an Airbnb business in Connecticut is a lucrative way to invest in real estate. However, it is important to be aware of the regulations imposed by the state and individual cities, as well as the competition from other investors. To ensure the success of your rental business, it is important to have an effective management strategy in place. One way to do this is by hiring a professional Airbnb manager.