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Short-term rental managers: Prepare now to avoid the New Years hangover

Each year as the holidays approach, we dust off the tried-and-true recipes, hustle to find the perfect gifts, and brace for packed calendars and festive gatherings.

Aerial view of a snow-covered residential neighborhood adorned with glowing holiday lights during a peaceful winter evening

Then January arrives, and we’re reminded how quickly it all passed, often with a credit card statement that proves it.

For those managing short-term rental activities, the season comes with its own version of that whiplash. Holiday surges can expose weak spots in monitoring, communication, and enforcement. And with January tax deadlines and new ordinances often on deck, a little preparation now can save a lot of scrambling later. Here are five quick checks you can now do that may save you from a holiday hangover.

5 compliance checks before the holiday rush hits your STR market

1. Prep for tax season now:

January brings reporting deadlines. Get your collection and remittance processes squared away before the holiday wave closes the books.
2. Update enforcement playbooks:

Make sure letters, templates, and workflows are operating as expected so your team can move fast when things pick up.
3. Strengthen communication with residents:

Publish or re-share reminders on how to report STR concerns. Clear, visible channels help reduce frustration and build trust.
4. Remind hosts of their responsibilities:

Is operator contact info current? Reinforce occupancy and parking limits for busy weekends and consider sending a proactive message to operators.
5. Plan for new ordinances:

Many jurisdictions adopt new rules on January 1. Review what’s coming and line up your communications and enforcement strategy now. It is important to notify the required stakeholders of any compliance changes early to account for any configuration time needed.

Every community experiences the holiday season differently, but the need for proactive planning is universal. If you’d like to compare notes or explore how others are tackling these challenges, the Granicus STR Services team is always available to share insights and best practices.

Learn more about how Granicus helps local governments with short-term rental compliance challenges like address identification, instant reporting, tax collection, and ordinance consulting.