6 Potential Vacation Rental Problems: How to Prepare

Investing in vacation rental properties can be quite lucrative, as you can generally charge a considerably higher rent than long-term rental landlords. But the much higher turnover tends to mean quite a bit more work, too.

And on top of your regular landlord responsibilities, like making sure cleaning and maintenance or repair issues are handled promptly, it's also a good idea to prepare for any potential problems you can anticipate.

You can't control everything that might happen at your property. But planning for any issues you might be able to get ahead of can go a long way toward guest satisfaction.

5 Stocks Under $49

Presented by Motley Fool Stock Advisor

We hear it over and over from investors, "I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by The Motley Fool. I'd be sitting on a gold mine!" It's true, but we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Click here to learn how you can grab a copy of "5 Growth Stocks Under $49" for FREE for a limited time only.

Unfortunately, you can't prevent power outages. Whether caused by a storm, an accident, or a mechanical failure, they happen from time to time. Have candles, matches, batteries, flashlights, and/or battery-operated lanterns handy, either out where they're visible or in a cabinet or drawer with a noticeable label your guests are likely to spot as they get settled in.

Putting a few board games in that same area may not be a bad idea, either. Be sure to also include the power company's phone number in your welcome packet so that guests can report an outage directly and get updates on when power will be restored.

ALSO READ: 3 Reasons Vacation Rentals Will Be Big in 2022

The suggestion that you can control mosquitoes on your property may sound ridiculous at first. But while you certainly can’t promise a mosquito-free vacation if your property is in an area that hosts them, there are actually a few things you can do to eliminate any potential sources of standing water so that they can’t breed in your yard.

This might mean rethinking your landscaping and possibly replacing plants and flowers that tend to gather or hold water with some that don’t. If you have depressions in the yard that become puddles when it rains, filling them could be a big help.

And while most vacation properties don’t have ponds, if yours happens to, installing a fountain can make it impossible for mosquitoes to breed there. A screen room might be a good investment if mosquitoes continue to be a problem.

A burst pipe or other issue nearby could lead to a warning that the surrounding residents need to boil their water to make sure it's free of harmful bacteria. There's nothing you can do to prevent that, but you can plan for it and get on top of it quickly.

Make sure the city has your or your property manager's cell phone number to notify you of a boil water ordinance so that you can alert your guests promptly and make sure they have everything they need. Having a large pot or two available in the kitchen is a good idea.

And although this next part isn't obligatory, offering to deliver bottled water to your guests or have it delivered in this situation is a classy move they're likely to remember and possibly even mention in a review.

ALSO READ: Why This Home Renovation Pays for Itself

In this case, I'm referring to poor planning on the part of your guests. What if they've been busy and never got around to figuring out the best places to eat or grab a drink? While that's really not your responsibility, a binder of menus from places you know and recommend could save them from an evening spent searching the net for well-reviewed places that have what they like.

Indicating on the cover that this is a curated list of your favorite places, as opposed to a bunch of random menus thrown together, is a nice personal touch your guests will likely appreciate.

Most of your guests will probably have some idea of what they'd like to do while visiting your property. But things don't always go as planned. From weather and sickness to canceled events, all kinds of things could get in the way of what they really intended to do. Having plenty of TV channels, games, books, and movies for guests to take advantage of can go a long way if they don't wind up going out as much as they expected.

And if the property is located in a pleasant neighborhood, bicycles can be a nice touch, too. You might also consider having some sports equipment or outdoor games available if you have a big enough yard for kids to play catch or kick a ball around in.

5 Stocks Under $49

Presented by Motley Fool Stock Advisor

We hear it over and over from investors, "I wish I had bought Amazon or Netflix when they were first recommended by The Motley Fool. I'd be sitting on a gold mine!" It's true, but we think these 5 other stocks are screaming buys. And you can buy them now for less than $49 a share! Click here to learn how you can grab a copy of "5 Growth Stocks Under $49" for FREE for a limited time only.

You may be considering buying and managing a vacation rental property yourself because you have the time -- or at least the flexibility -- to do so. But what if that goes away? Maybe you'll take on a more hectic work schedule or caregiver responsibilities of some sort, or perhaps you'll move farther away. Then what?

It's a good idea to go ahead and do your homework on hiring a property manager now while you don't need one, just in case. That way, you can go ahead and get a good idea of whether the property will still be worth keeping with a property manager on the payroll. And if so, you can go ahead and have a few strong candidates in mind to transfer your responsibilities over as quickly as possible should the need arise.

ALSO READ: What Is Real Estate Management?

Of course, you hope your guests will all have an amazing time and that nothing will ever go wrong at your vacation rental property. But realistically, something less than wonderful is bound to happen at some point. But the good news is that hitting a few bumps in the road doesn’t have to mean a ruined trip or a bad review.

Being prepared for a few of the negative things that may happen at some point could go a long way toward smoothing the situation over quickly and helping your guests make the best of their vacation.

The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.