We’ve compiled answers to the most common questions from property owners and clients looking to partner with us. From how our management process works to revenue expectations, guest screening, and maintenance, this section covers the essentials. If you’re considering short-term rental management or looking to learn more about how we protect and promote your property, you’re in the right place.
At Your Key Rental Management, we take pride in being one of the few, if not the only, short-term rental management companies operating on a true 24/7 service cycle. This level of service is made possible through strategically scheduled shifts that ensure a team member is always present on site. Coupled with comprehensive training, our staff is fully equipped to manage any guest-related inquiries or tasks with confidence and efficiency.
Our management fee is 25% of the nightly rental rate. This includes our full suite of management services as well as linen and towel replacement and guest consumable replenishment. You can find all of our services in detail here on our services page.
In short, there is NO material impact on STRs for the remainder of 2025. One new restriction is a License Moratorium, which will become active should the CMHC Purpose Built Housing Vacancy Rate drop below 2.5% in Calgary. This means that there will be no new licenses issued but those who have active licenses in good standing will be grandfathered in perpetuity. Other license changes include an increased license fee, a change in the STR definition to include rentals of 180 consecutive days or less, and more, which can be viewed on the City of Calgary website here.
We have made a strategic decision to focus on Calgary and the surrounding areas as our operating geography. This allows us to streamline our operations for the greatest efficiency and highest quality delivery for our Clients and Guests.
Fundamentally, we have taken a different approach to managing properties at a large scale than our competitors. We have built Calgary’s only STR Facility, which includes industrial commercial-grade washing and drying machines, training areas, a guest lounge, office space, storage, and more. We do not use virtual assistants from low-cost labour countries; all of our guest and client services are done from Calgary. All of our cleaners are direct-hired employees, no subcontractors. We do the greatest volume of stays in Calgary, with over +25,000 nights hosted in the past 12 months, and we maintain very high ratings.
We create unique financial projections that will provide you with a conservatively accurate estimation of what you can realistically earn. The projection considers numerous market factors, but with the most comprehensive internal market data, we can create earnings forecasts that are more accurate than those of any other company in Calgary. Please complete the Property Assessment Form or contact us with your property details.
There is not one type of property that will have success with any greater certainty. In our experience, there are many different factors such as aesthetic appeal, quality of management, pricing and calendar management strategies, amenities, parking, the property's inherent characteristics, and many more. Given the number of contributing factors, success is becoming increasingly more challenging, and that is why management companies with a proven track record of sustained performance are becoming more valuable.
Airbnb payouts are received within a week of the check-in date. One day after guest check-in, Airbnb releases the payout. It then takes 1-5 additional business days to process into your account.
We have the largest internal data set of any company in Calgary. This allows us to be able to spot market trends and make adjustments in our pricing algorithm to ensure we are achieving the highest nightly rental rate.
Maintenance is outside of the scope of our management fee. With that said, we can help coordinate maintenance that is required once it has been approved by the client, and any cost would be billed to the client.
No, the cleaning fee is a separate line item from our management fee. The cleaning fee is paid for by the guest.
We provide services for every part of the STR process. This includes furnishing and design services to ensure your property is set up for the greatest success. There are no fees for this support. Once the property is set up, we can provide services to ensure you are up and running as quickly as possible! We have no onboarding fees, but if you did require any moving or assembly services, those would have costs associated with them based on scope.
No, you do not. We pride ourselves on offering solutions for every part of the setup process, so you are ensured a hands-free, easy experience.
Yes, there is! Once we get to that stage, we will provide all of the documents required for you to prepare your property.
Once your property is live, we immediately list it across major platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos, optimized descriptions, and dynamic pricing to attract high-quality guests. Our 24/7 guest support team handles all communication, while our cleaning and maintenance crews ensure the property stays in top condition between stays. We manage bookings, coordinate turnovers, address any issues, and continuously optimize your listing for performance.
Yes, we apply for the City license on behalf of our clients, which allows us to take the burden from them.
At Your Key Rental Management, we made a strategic decision to create Calgary's first and only facility that is dedicated to the company's STR operations. This facility is a cornerstone in the 24/7 consistent delivery of our operating model. The facility includes professional commercial washing and drying machines, and the water they use is from custom water softeners to enhance the quality of each clean. The facility also has a Guest Lounge with complimentary beverages, training areas, management, and experience manager office space, shipping and receiving, employee lounge, disposal services, and much more. This facility is a testament to our commitment to Calgary and how we maintain our best-in-class operating status.
We handle everything. All of our cleaners are direct-hired employees, so we are able to train and manage their performance to a very high degree.
We use a multi-layered approach to screen and manage guests to protect your property and ensure a smooth experience. Before a booking is accepted, we verify guest identities through platform-specific tools like Airbnb’s ID verification, analyze guest profiles, reviews, and communication history, and flag any suspicious behavior using our internal risk assessment system. During their stay, we monitor activity with noise sensors and smart locks to control access. Our 24/7 guest support team is always available to intervene if issues arise, and we have a zero-tolerance policy for parties or unauthorized guests.
When unforeseen damage occurs, our dedicated onsite team acts swiftly. We begin by conducting a thorough assessment, compiling a detailed damage report complete with photos or videos. This comprehensive documentation is then used to streamline the claims process, ensuring a smooth and efficient experience for you.
For platforms like Airbnb, we manage the entire AirCover claims process from start to finish, handling all communication and paperwork on your behalf.
Simultaneously, we take immediate action to rectify any damage, minimizing disruption for incoming guests. We fully facilitate this entire repair process. In instances of significant damage requiring an upfront cost, we will promptly engage with you, the owner, to discuss the necessary steps and obtain approval.
We take a proactive, detail-oriented approach to guest satisfaction. Each property is meticulously cleaned, inspected, and stocked to ensure a five-star experience from the moment guests arrive. We’re available 24/7 to respond quickly to any issues, ensuring smooth, stress-free stays. By actively collecting feedback and continuously refining our processes, we consistently exceed guest expectations, resulting in strong reviews, repeat bookings, and a reputation for excellence.