Spain: Vacation rental channel manager Rentals United has announced the launch of Screen & Protect, a property protection service that allows hosts to verify guests during the booking process and provides compensation of up to €50,000.
Screen & Protect is being introduced as the alternative to security deposits, removing guest involvement and potentially boosting bookings. While hefty security deposits can sometimes deter guests from booking a vacation rental, the new product is designed to give property manages peace of mind and mitigate the risk to their properties by pre-screening their guests.
Earlier this year, Rentals United conducted a survey with participants from 11 different countries, including the United States, Spain, Italy and the UK. According to the company’s data, up to 90 per cent of hosts surveyed have experienced guest-related damages, with more than half managing three or more incidents in the past two years.
However, some property managers admitted that they had waited until they had a personal negative experience before taking action.
Meanwhile, the research found that over half [55 per cent] of participating property managers oversee more than 30 properties, highlighting the significant administrative role they take on – with hours spent managing incidents.
Through Screen & Protect, Rentals United believes it can address the “de-standardised” nature of security deposits and sidestep the complicated process of dealing with damages.
Properties offering Screen & Protect have reportedly seen increased bookings due to the option of removing security deposits, ensuring that guests are protected from potential damage costs. Property managers can choose to increase the nightly rate of their properties to pass the cost of Screen & Protect onto their guests, and still see an increase in bookings.
By offering comprehensive protection, it not only saves property managers countless hours on managing damages but also safeguards the host’s reputation.
Rentals United CEO James Burrows said: “Property damage is a reality in vacation rentals – even the best guests break things. But the real stress is rarely the cost; it’s losing bookings if you ask for security deposits, or wasting time negotiating compensation with guests and insurance companies if you don’t. And when you involve guests in the process, friction or bad reviews often follow.
“Screen & Protect gives property managers complete peace of mind by proactively pre-screening their guests, so they can get to know them in advance. And if damages do occur, they’re easy to report without involving the guest at all,” he added.
Screen & Protect specifications:
Comprehensive protection: The Screen & Protect applies to a range of damages up to €50,000. The criteria is as follows:
- Property, its fixtures and / or fittings, or its contents, caused by the actions or inactions, whether accidental, deliberate or otherwise,
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For the avoidance of doubt, this does not include cosmetic damage and / or wear and tear.
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Cosmetic damage means damage that does not adversely impact the functionality of the property’s fixtures and / or fittings, or its contents. By way of example [but not limited to] damage that consists solely of scratches, scuffs, marks or dents.
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In terms of pet damage: Screen & Protect extends solely to damages caused by unauthorised pets on properties that are not pet friendly, excluding authorised service animals
Get to know your guest: Includes a guest screening process that verifies one’s guests, mitigating the risk of property damage before guests even check in.
Simple process: If damage does occur, property managers can report incidents easily through the Rentals United platform and the company will handle the review and processing. 90 per cent of requests, where all required information is submitted upfront, are processed within five to seven business days.
No guest involvement: Guests are not involved in the process – unlike other similar services where guests may be notified and asked to provide an explanation or their own evidence. As such, there is no need for hefty security deposits to deter bookings, or guest disputes to delay payments.
Screen & Protect is currently available for properties located in Belgium, Australia, Canada, France, New Zealand, Spain, the United Arab Emirates [UAE] and the UK.
In May, Rentals United confirmed that it had been acquired by property management software platform Guesty. Following the transaction, Rentals United still retains its independence and continues to operate as a standalone business.
