Rental Realities: What Every Host Should Prepare For

The past four months flew by as I faced challenges at Issa Suites, responding to issues as they came. Now that I have some downtime, I want to consolidate the lessons I've learned and highlight the moments that stood out in my eventful life as a short-term rental host.

December: The Calm Before the Storm

In December, I made a conscious effort to slow down—no extra work, minimal travel, and fewer last-minute commitments. Despite my best intentions, the month remained busy. Fortunately, there were no major issues, just the usual guest requests: more toilet paper, extra towels, and other small necessities. These minor inconveniences are simply part of the job.

One thing I did wish for, though, was the luxury to block a day between bookings. A full calendar is great for covering overhead costs, but the back-to-back turnovers can be exhausting.

The Unsexy Truth About Hosting: Maintenance

One recurring theme from the past quarter that I wish more hosts would prepare for? Maintenance. It's not glamorous, but it’s absolutely essential.

January: Small Upgrades, Big Impact

The new year began with a long-overdue update: replacing the torn window blinds in the bedroom—something that has been needed since we moved out of the unit in 2023. If you plan to replace blinds, I advise having a reliable supplier nearby and a record of past transactions. While I initially feared the cost would exceed P10,000, the replacement part was surprisingly affordable. Though it put a dent in my profits, the aesthetic upgrade made the space feel refreshed and well-maintained.

The month started off strong, with returning guests who left glowing reviews. One memorable guest booked the unit to take an online exam, and I was thrilled when she shared that she passed. Moments like these make hosting incredibly rewarding.

The First Major Expense: The Water Heater Breakdown

January closed with a huge, albeit expected, expense. Our five-year-old water heater finally gave out during a guest’s stay. Luckily, I had a trusted handyman on call. He arrived that evening, and I met him at the unit to inspect the situation. The guests were friendly, and we struck up a conversation about our travels. That rapport likely helped smooth over the inconvenience.

They weren’t around much since they were busy exploring Cebu, but parking became an unexpected issue. Instead of using my designated spot, they parked elsewhere, leading to an additional charge. It was a frustrating oversight (I knew I should've reminded them again on the check-in day to use my parking spot), and to keep things fair, I offered to split the cost with them.

Parking has been a recurring headache, but I’m learning to manage it better. Fellow hosts in the area have even started renting my space when it’s not in use, which has helped offset some of the costs when my guests don't need it. (I rent a parking space for a fixed monthly fee to avoid incidental parking costs when guests park wherever they want without paying.)

To make up for the water heater issue, I gave the guests a small token of appreciation. Unfortunately, they couldn’t use the newly installed unit since it was put in just a few hours after they checked out. Still, they were understanding, and we ended on a good note. Needless to say, this earned me a 5-star review.

February: When Disaster Strikes

Just when I thought the water heater would be the most pressing issue of the quarter, February had other plans.

A pair (returning guests) had booked my unit when the infamous bidet disaster struck. It wasn’t a natural disaster, but it might as well have been.

One morning, the bidet malfunctioned, causing water to leak and flooding the bathroom and sections of the hallway on the fifth floor. And it happened when the guests were out. Thankfully, the building staff patrolling the halls saw what had happened and quickly turned off the water supply before it flooded neighboring units. The culprit? A loose connection due to high water pressure.

After a quick P300 inspection/repair and a thorough cleanup, the situation was under control. Crisis averted.

No review was left since these returning guests booked directly with me (I only allow direct bookings for repeat guests with a history of good behavior). But they were happy with their stay, so all was well.

The Midnight AC Dilemma

Not every issue is dramatic. Sometimes, it’s the little things—like a noisy air conditioner disrupting a guest’s sleep.

At midnight, I received a message from a guest struggling to rest due to the notoriously loud window-type AC in the bedroom. I immediately acknowledged his frustration, admitted I hadn’t realized it was that bad, and offered a solution: a quiet fan. Thankfully, I had one on hand (since I sleep with someone who can’t stand noisy fans). I rushed over to the unit and suggested turning off the bedroom AC, using the quieter one in the living room instead, and pairing it with the fan for airflow.

To my surprise, he later left a five-star review. It was a great reminder that while perfection isn’t always possible, thoughtful problem-solving and good old customer service make all the difference.

Enjoying this? You might also want to read: Your 5-Star Guest Experience Starts with... the Shower?

Lessons Learned

Over the past few months, I’ve picked up a few key lessons that keep proving themselves true:

1. Maintenance is non-negotiable.
Minor issues ignored today turn into expensive headaches tomorrow. It’s easy to get complacent—especially after you've been hosting for a while—but sticking to a solid maintenance schedule will save your a$$ in the long run.

2. Guest relations matter.
A friendly conversation and a quick response can turn a problem into a positive experience. I can’t speak for remote hosts, but living near the property you're renting out gives you an edge—you can add that personal touch and show up when it counts. It also helps if you genuinely enjoy talking to people and care about their comfort.

3. Flexibility is key.
Unexpected challenges will always pop up. Staying calm and solution-focused makes all the difference. As I see it, our job is to make guests feel comfortable—keeping that mindset helps shape our attitude and communication.

No stay is ever perfect, but every experience brings new lessons. And that’s what keeps hosting interesting.

What’s your latest hosting story? And what lessons did you learn?