Louisiana is known for its rich cultural heritage and unique attractions, such as Cajun cuisine, jazz music, Mardi Gras, and swamp tours. These draw tourists to the state throughout the year, making it a popular destination for short-term rental investments. This guide lists every Airbnb property management company in Louisiana by city.
Top Louisiana Airbnb Management Companies
The best Airbnb management companies in Louisiana include:
- Awning: Best Overall Airbnb Manager
- RedAwning: Best Half-Service Airbnb Management Solution
- Avantstay: Best Luxury Short-term Rental Management Company
- Sonder: Best for Apartments
Top Louisiana Airbnb Management Companies by City
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How We Researched the Top Louisiana Airbnb Management Companies
The criteria we used to select and rank the top Airbnb management companies in Louisiana 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 Louisiana , connect with an Awning property manager now.
How to Choose a Louisiana Airbnb Management Company
Selecting the right Airbnb management company is just as important as purchasing a property with high rental potential for the success of your vacation rental business, especially in a state like Louisiana with its various cities having strict short-term rental regulations.
When making this decision, focus on the following factors, which are also used to rank the top Louisiana Airbnb management companies:
- Services: Decide if you want a hands-on approach to property management (half-service) or a completely passive income (full-service) and determine what services you expect from the Airbnb manager. Consider if your property is ready for guests or if you need help with furnishing and preparation.
- Pricing: Determine how much you're willing to pay for a passive investment or additional management support.
- Value for Money: Evaluate the services and fees offered by different property management companies, including monthly fees and additional charges.
- Business Model: Consider if you prefer to work with a local or nationwide property manager and whether you prioritize accountability or a personal touch. Check for honesty and transparency in the company's business practices.
- Reviews: Read online reviews from property owners and guests and, if possible, speak with local investors who have worked with each company you're considering.
- Number of Listings in Louisiana: Look for a company with a proven track record in the Louisiana market that is not overworked or understaffed. Choose an experienced professional with enough local capacity.
When interviewing top Louisiana short-term rental property management companies, ask the following questions:
- Are you a local or nationwide company?
- How many years have you been managing short-term rentals?
- What is the current number of properties you manage?
- What is the size of your local team?
- Do you have an in-house team or work with vendors?
- What is the revenue increase you can achieve in the local market?
- Do you provide property preparation assistance, including interior design, furnishings, licensing and permit acquisition, and taxes?
- Do guests pay you directly or do booking fees go to the property owner?
- Do you offer cleaning, laundry, and restocking services?
- Do you manage property inspections and maintenance work?
- Do you handle swimming pools and hot tubs?
- What is your Airbnb property management fee and what does it cover? Are there additional fees or costs? Is there an onboarding or early-termination fee?
- May I review a copy of the property management agreement?
- What is the process for canceling your services?
- Will I retain my property reviews if I choose to end your services?
By asking these questions, you'll be better equipped to choose the best Louisiana Airbnb property management company to meet 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 Louisiana
Starting an Airbnb business in Louisiana requires investors to:
- Identify the ideal Louisiana location for investment property (where Airbnb is permitted and yields high ROI)
- Find a property with high earning potential
- Ensure the zoning district accommodates short-term rentals
- Seek the assistance of a real estate agent to purchase the property
- Conduct renovations if necessary
- Furnish the rental space
- Determine the appropriate business structure
- File necessary tax and employer identification documents
- Obtain a vacation rental condo or dwelling license from the Louisiana Department of Business & Professional Regulation
- Acquire necessary local short-term rental licenses and permits by city
- Determine whether to hire a property management company or manage the property independently
- List the property on Airbnb and start accepting guests
- Provide consistent guest services and maintain the property
The decision to manage the Louisiana vacation rental on your own or to hire a property manager will determine whether you enjoy passive rental income or not.
Louisiana Airbnb Laws and Regulations
Louisiana has state laws that regulate short-term rentals (STR) in Orleans Parish, which are enforced through the Short Term Rental Administration (STR Office) of the Department of Safety and Permits. According to NOLA, short-term rentals must take place in a legal dwelling unit, and the rental period must be fewer than 30 days at a time. Rentals of greater than 30 consecutive days are considered long-term rentals and do not require an STR permit. A person can obtain a short-term rental license only for their primary residence, a residence for which they claim a Louisiana homestead property tax, and any party violating this requirement is subject to civil penalties.
Regarding rent control policies, Louisiana has state laws that preempt any kind of rent control policies on a local and state level. As such, landlords can charge as much as they want for rent. Louisiana does not require landlords to justify or give notice before rent increases, and they can raise rental prices whenever they wish.
New Orleans short-term rental hosts are required to collect lodging taxes that include Louisiana state sales tax and several city taxes, including sales tax, a short-term rental occupancy fee, occupancy privilege tax, and a short-term rental equalization occupancy tax. Short-term rentals in other areas of Louisiana may be subject to a 1% transient occupancy tax if they are located in the City of New Orleans.
St. Tammany Parish recently banned short-term rentals in single-family residential areas, allowing vacation rentals only in areas zoned for mixed and commercial use. Short-term rental operators are required to apply for a permit, along with a $250 application fee, and pay an annual fee. The ordinance went into effect on February 1, 2022.
Lastly, according to Louisiana law, any camera used in a short-term rental structure, which is defined as a building that may have previously been used as a one- or two-family dwelling, but is now rented from the owner of the structure by an unknown number of persons, must provide notice to guests.
Takeaway
Starting an Airbnb business in Louisiana can be a profitable venture in the real estate industry. However, investors in short-term rental properties should be aware of the regulations imposed by both the state and local governments, as well as the competition from other knowledgeable investors. To maximize the success of your rental business, it is important to have an effective vacation rental property management strategy. This can be achieved by hiring a professional Airbnb manager.