Owner FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions For Property Owners

What does Staysouth as a short-term visitor accommodation manager actually do and what does this mean for me as an owner?

Staysouth will take care of everything for you regarding the rental and maintenance of your property.
Including sales and marketing; all dealings with guests (potential, confirmed, inhouse and upon departure); housekeeping; repairs and maintenance as well as all financial reconciliations and responsibilities regarding the rental and maintenance of your property.

How will Staysouth meet my individual requirements as an owner?

Staysouth recognises every owner is different and may require slightly different services, and therefore works with each owner to ensure their individual needs are met

How does Staysouth as a property manager protect and maintain the value of my property asset?

Regular and extensive inspections are performed at all Staysouth properties – by staff who know each property intimately.
Any issues are noted and dealt with immediately and efficiently. Staysouth has a select group of tried and trusted service and trades companies who can be called upon to provide the highest and reliable standard of service thereby ensuring your property is impeccably looked after and presents no differently to the day you first handed it to Staysouth.
Staysouth adopts a broad overview of the property, which often means working with a Body Corporate to ensure not only the interior is well maintained but also the exterior and common areas, if in a multi-unit complex.

Does Staysouth manage and pay for utilities associated with my property?

Upon request and for a small monthly administration fee Staysouth is happy to manage electricity, gas, refuse, SKY TV, wifi and telephone accounts on behalf of owners.

Does Staysouth have any involvement with the property’s Body Corporate?

Yes – as Staysouth adopts a broad overview of your property, we often liaise and work alongside Body Corporates to ensure all aspects of a property operate and present to standard. In fact Staysouth is often contracted by Body Corporates to manage various property upgrades or maintenance works required.

How often can I stay in my own property?

There is no limit to the number of times nor the length of time you can stay in your own property but obviously annual rental income can be affected by an owner’s visits. For example – one of Queenstown’s busiest and highest overnight rental periods is during AUS and NZ winter school holidays – if you choose to visit for 2 weeks over this peak period, you would expect to have less rental income than another owner who instead choses to visit in a quieter time such as May.

How often do I get paid a rental income?

Staysouth pays monthly owners returns either on the 20th or 30th of the month following guest departure date. Payment date will be specified in your management agreement with Staysouth.

Does Staysouth provide regular rental reports?

Each month’s nett rental payment is accompanied by a report itemising: each rental during the period ; all costs associated with the each rental (eg. cleaning) ; any repairs or maintenance performed during the month ; and any other expenses deducted as per your management agreement (eg. Utilities, Wifi etc.)

What are the benefits of putting my property into short-term visitor accommodation with Staysouth vs long term residential rental or not renting it at all?

With Staysouth, you can use and visit your property at any time for as long/short as you wish – have a holiday home with benefits!
Long term tenants tend to be harder wearing on your property which can lead to a decrease in value of your investment.
With Staysouth, wear and tear are kept to a minimum as every guest arrival and departure is overseen by Staysouth staff who are very familiar with your property – housekeepers maintain a high level of cleanliness and management conducts both pre-arrival and post-departure inspections
Staysouth requires a security bond to be held for each booking – this guarantees guests are respectful, but also acknowledges accidents can happen. When booking with Staysouth, guests agree to Staysouth holding a bond and that they are liable for any damage caused to the property
All repairs and maintenance issues are attended to immediately and therefore not left unattended for long periods thereby causing less long-term damage
An annual return on investment without a corresponding decline in value due to sustained and relentless wear and tear

Does Staysouth offer anything different to other management companies?

Staysouth adopts a wholistic approach to your property we look after both the interior with its furniture and fittings as well as take an interest in the exterior walls, driveway, and garden presentation – therefore we liaise and work closely with Body Corporates to ensure your asset is well maintained and well cared for
Staysouth often represents via proxy property owners at Body Corporate AGMs and is often contracted by Body Corporates and Owner Committees to manage projects on their behalf
Several Body Corporates have contracted Staysouth to manage annual maintenance schedules and contracts as per their LTMP
Staysouth has a comprehensive knowledge of Queenstown’s Visitor Accommodation Resource Consent process & can advise on or manage applications on your behalf
Staysouth has developed and adopted a very proactive and overnight rate management strategy unseen and unused by any other Queenstown short-term management company.
Sonya and Andy are long-time locals who have witnessed the tourism, building and community growth Queenstown has seen in the last thirty years. They have long-time tourism and hospitality experience giving them in-depth knowledge of trends and patterns and what does and what does not work in Queenstown and enabling robust and tactical marketing strategies to be developed and carried through
Staysouth is modern and tech-savy and always looking at ways to improve both our guest and owner experiences by using new technology to better improve our systems and processes
Staysouth is a true “one stop shop” taking care of sales & marketing, reservations, guest (and owners’) inhouse requirements, cleaning, maintenance, annual service checks, health and safety, financial accounts, utilities, body corporate liaison. All you need do is book your dates of stay and enjoy your holiday home.

Is there anything Staysouth does not include as part of its services?

Although Staysouth is happy to manage most operational costs associated with your property; our owners retain financial responsibility and management of the following commitments associated with owning a property in Queenstown: Queenstown Lakes District Rates; Otago Regional Council Rates; Body Corporate Levies, Insurance; and Visitor Accommodation Resource Consent Levies/Costs/Contributions

Who at Staysouth would I deal with on a day-to-day basis?

Once signed up with Staysouth we will provide you with a list of who’s who and who to go to for what within Staysouth but our company policy is very open-door and we encourage open communication with anyone in our team from Reservations to Operations Manager to Inhouse Accountant, to General Manager, Sonya Archibald or Chief Executive, Andy Salek

Why Staysouth?

Staysouth, as a short-term Queenstown accommodation management company, has been in business since 2006 and has survived the GFC and now Covid-19
Staysouth has seen consistent year-on-year growth in both occupancy and rental (until Covid-19 affected Queenstown visitor numbers in February 2020)
Staysouth started out as Property Owner, owning one of our apartments (still managed today) and over the years has bought, managed and on-sold various properties in Queenstown – we understand our owners
Is a member of Queenstown Chamber of Commerce and Destination Queenstown, and has affiliations with many other local tourism and hospitality operators
Our property owners trust us implicitly to have their best interests at heart – reflected by owners asking us to represent them via proxy at their Body Corporate’s AGM
Staysouth is selective in which properties it takes on – we are not for all, we know our niche and we specialize in +4 star “centrally located” multi-unit apartment or villa complexes
We provide our owners with a complete property file including an annual video walk through recording the current presentation of the property in detail highlighting all furniture and fittings, chattels and appliances, walls and doors etc.
Staysouth offers advice on how to best set up your property for short term visitor accommodation to improve your property’s rental potential
Staysouth has an exceptional credit rating
We have worked hard and over many years to create a group of loyal and like-minded and respected team of tradesmen and companies – this ensures Staysouth is always at the front of their schedule, that each job is well and professionally completed, and fairly charged for.
We place great importance on being transparent, communicating with and regularly updating our owners on all matters to do with their property
We are friendly and down to earth, we go to great efforts to treat our staff like family, we acknowledge our mistakes and we are always available to chat with our owners about all things Queenstown

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