1. What does SmartChoice Stays do? We can either manage your property for you or rent it from you to handle short-term stays for corporate and leisure guests. Our services include sourcing high-quality tenants, vetting and overseeing guests, managing property cleaning, maintenance, and handling all administrative tasks—ensuring a completely hassle-free experience for property owners.

2. Where do you operate? Our main areas of operation are in Berkshire and London. However, we can also consider properties in other parts of the South of England, depending on availability.

3. Who are your typical guests? Our properties attract mainly corporate clients and working professionals due to their excellent transport links and proximity to Greater London and other key business hubs. Additionally, we serve the holiday market in Cornwall, providing quality accommodations for leisure travellers looking to explore the region.

4. What is serviced accommodation? Serviced accommodation is a fully furnished property available for short stays, with all utilities, cleaning services, and amenities included. It’s an ideal alternative to traditional hotels, providing guests with a more homely and flexible option.

5. How do you determine how much my property can earn? We conduct a thorough assessment of your property and use local market data to provide an estimate of its potential income. A detailed pricing estimate is provided after a full evaluation during the onboarding stage.

6. How do you maximise revenue? We use sophisticated revenue management strategies, including dynamic pricing software that analyses market data, occupancy rates, and travel trends. Additionally, we list your property across various booking platforms, including our direct booking website, to drive consistent bookings and maximise your return on investment.

7. How do you market my property? We list your property on multiple online platforms, including Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, SilverDoor, Trade Stays, and Comfy Workers. We also feature your property on our direct booking website to help reduce commission fees and increase occupancy.

8. How do you protect my property? We take several steps to ensure your property is well cared for. Our cleaning team inspects the property after each stay, and we conduct routine quality checks. We also vet guests thoroughly, verifying IDs, taking deposits, and checking previous reviews to ensure only responsible guests stay at your property.

9. Do I need to handle maintenance? Our dedicated maintenance team handles minor maintenance issues to ensure your property stays in excellent condition. If there are any larger repairs required, we will communicate with you and coordinate the work as efficiently as possible. We respond immediately to any issues and aim to attend within 24 hours to resolve maintenance needs.

10. Are you insured? Yes, we provide comprehensive insurance for each property we manage, including public liability, indemnity, and contents insurance. All properties are health and safety checked, fire safety certified, and undergo regular inspections to ensure compliance. Our commitment to maintaining the highest standards ensures your property is always in safe hands.

11. How does your fee structure work? Our fee structure is based on a percentage of the revenue your property earns. Additionally, we charge a one-time onboarding fee, which covers the costs of professional photography, creating multi-platform listings, and an initial property assessment to ensure it meets our standards.

12. Do I need special insurance? Listing your property on major platforms like Airbnb means you’re automatically covered by their insurance, such as 'AirCover'. For additional coverage, we use third-party insurance and recommend providers like 'Pikl' for extra peace of mind.

13. What if my property isn't furnished? Absolutely! If your property has basic white goods, we can manage everything else. We also offer an optional service to help with buying and setting up furniture, decorating, and ensuring the property is fully guest-ready.

14. Do I need to be involved? Not at all. Our management service is designed to be entirely hands-off for property owners. We handle all aspects of property management and simply transfer the rental income to you each month.

15. Who pays for utilities? Utility bills remain the responsibility of the landlord, as they are included in the guest's stay. We recommend setting these up in advance and opting for smart meters for better control over energy use.