WANT TO JOIN OUR INCREASED INCOME

REVOLUTION?

Our focus is on helping landlords get the most out of their properties,and increase cashflow by managing their properties on

their behalf as serviced apartments.

Here at Statera, we pride ourselves on being different. Being property investors ourselves, we understand the value of our client's investment in their properties and assets. This is why everything that we do is all about striking a balance - [Statera], creating win-win situations that will allow us to be satisfied with the returns on our service, while at the same time giving our landlords and investors more money

in their pockets than traditional agents can offer. Our landlords enjoy the benefit of having the piece of mind that their investment is being handled with the care and attention that it deserves.

"WE ARE PUTTING THE EARNINGS BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF LANDLORDS AND INVESTORS".

WHY HOMEOWNERS CHOOSE STATERA ESTATES

Statera Estate is a full service agency. This means once you start to work with us, we take over every single part of managing your property as a predictably profitable business, and you can be rest assured that your property is in great condition and maximising on it's potential. Your money will come into your bank account monthly and on time, all without you having to invest any of your precious time

EARN AND LEARN

Landlords who work with us,

will not only have thepotential to benefit from an increased cashflow , but theywill also get tolearn the process, andshould they decide they want to do it alone in the future,they will be equipped to do so

TIME FREEDOM

More profits generally means more work, but here's the reality that we're all to familiar with, most Landlords did not get into property to create a second job for themselves. Marketing, managing bookings, handling the cleaners and maintenance team as well as guest communication are some of the things we take away from you, giving you back your time freedom.

OUR EXPERTISE

Not everyone knows how to transform their property into a proper business. You can leverage our expertise in how to understand if there is demand for serviced apartments in your location,how to attract guests on a consistent basis to maximise your income potential, and then finally how to manage the whole process

LEGISLATIVE BENEFITS

EPC 2025

With over 3 million homes falling short of the new epc standard from 2025 (costing them on average £8000), it's no wonder many landlords are now coming to us to help them get around this by using our serviced accommodation model

Section 21

With the rising inflation and the cost of living increase, landlords can not afford for their tenants to miss payments, and to make matters worse, it is taking an average of 12 months to evict tenants at the moment. We can help you avoid this with our serviced accommodation model

Section 24

Want to save on tax? Even if you're not registered as a limited company?Another reason our landlords are overjoyed with us. Get in touch to see how we can do the same for you.

TAX BENEFITS

Capital Gains Tax Reliefs

The good news about having a SA is you can claim a range of tax reliefs that are usually reserved for traders. These include Entrepreneur’s Relief, Hold Over Relief, Relief for Gifts of Business Assets, Relief for Loans to Traders and Roll Over Relief.

Capital Allowances

As the owner of a Serviced apartment, you are allowed to claim Capital Allowance for items such as equipment, household fixtures and furniture. This means that if you decide to go to town with decorating and furnishing your SA, you will be able to deduct these costs from your pre-tax profits.

Pension Contribution

Any profit that you make from your SA is considered as ‘relevant earnings’ which means you can make tax-advantaged pension contributions.

Council Tax or Business Rates

Serviced apartments do not pay council tax. As the owner of a SA you should register for business rates, which will be calculated by your local council. In general, these rates will be lower than council tax.

BTL vs SA

Increased profits

Typically, the same property will generate 2/3x more profit for the landlord or investor, opening many more options for them.

No more nonpaying tenants

With a BTL, you have a contract in place that if the tenant breaks, it takes about 12 months to actually evict them. As a Serviced Accommodation provider, you have no tenants but instead you have guests that pay you even before they arrive.

Property in pristine condition at all times

Due to the nature of the business, Serviced Accommodation properties have to be kept in pristine condition at all times, whilst it's difficult to predict what your property will look like at the end of a tenancy, generally, you will be planning for the worst

More control

Our landlords have full control of their property, many of them for the first time in years. With our services, you decide when it's occupied and when you want to keep it available for yourself, whether that is to host family, guests, it doesn't matter what you need it for, the fact is it is in your complete control with the utmost flexibility to use your asset to it's best advantage.

WHERE DO WE LIST YOUR PROPERTY

OUR PARTNERS:

HOW IT WORKS

LISTING MANAGEMENT

Optimised for maximum returns.

Maximising occupancy

We'll offer your property on a variety of sites to maximise your booking and revenue potential. Your calendar is synchronised across all of them thanks to our technology, and you get fantastic returns. To assure occupancy all year long, we also concentrate on the corporate market.

Professional photography

With expert photography, we'll raise your occupancy rate and the amount you may charge.

Listing creation and optimisation

We'll set up and create your listings on several platforms in order to improve the amount of reservations and assist attract the correct visitors to your home. Since we have years of experience, we are aware of what is most effective.

Profit growth

We focus on helping you enhance your property's income by effectively pricing it and taking advantage of periods of strong demand. We have both the data and the excellent human ideas that are the foundation of every successful pricing plan.

GUEST MANAGEMENT

Ensuring a 5-star guest stay.

Guest vetting

Your safety and the security of your property are our top priority. We screen all guests.

Check-in and smart-locks

Easy self check-in is a top priority for guests and the Airbnb algorithm loves it too! So we support you through out smart-lock installation process and provide software that will not only to provide guest with easy check in option but also will increase security for your property.

Linen and toiletries

Guests always remember how good the sheets are! We provide hotel quality linen and a high-quality laundry service. Our housekeepers know all the perfect touches for an enjoyable guest stay.

Guest communication

Responding to guests as quickly as possible is the key to getting more bookings and maintaining a good reputation. Our teams respond 24/7/365 and trained to deal with all questions and issues both before and during stays.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Taking care of your property.

Cleaning and housekeeping

5-star Cleans from our Professional Housekeepers‍. We've work with Airbnb cleaning service providers that are tried and tested with time, to ensure every clean is done thoroughly with guests in mind and are never missed! Cleaners even report back to HQ with photos.

Maintenance

Our housekeeping team take photographs between each guest stay and report on any maintenance items. If it's a small item, we'll fix it quickly. If it's something that needs repairing or replacing, such as washing machine, we can arrange this for you.

Deposits

We take security deposits from all guests for every booking. This protects our downside and keeps the guests accountable.

Reports

Our Dashboard syncs your calendar between multiple booking websites to give you more control and see who is staying. You can also track your performance and income. Clear and transparent.

MAKE YOUR FIRST STEP TO ACHIEVING YOUR FINANCIAL GOALS

BOOK A FREE STRATEGY CALL

The Landlord's Playbook: How to Spot High-Value Guests and Avoid Costly Bookings

Serviced apartments| Landlords| Airbnb

September 19, 2025•7 min read

Making the leap from traditional buy-to-let to short-term rentals can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. Gone are the days of lengthy tenant references and six-month deposits: instead, you're dealing with guests who book for just a few nights and could be from anywhere in the world. The screening game has completely changed, and frankly, it's both more complex and more crucial than ever.

At Statera Estates, we've managed tons of Airbnb bookings for landlords across the UK, and we've learned exactly what separates the dream guests from the absolute nightmares. Whether you're considering the switch to short-term lets or you're already managing your own Airbnb, understanding how to spot high-value guests can make or break your property investment.

Why Short-Term Rental Guest Screening Is Different

Traditional tenant screening relies on credit checks, employment history, and references that paint a picture over months or years. Short-term rental screening? You've got minutes to make a decision based on a profile photo, a few messages, and maybe some previous reviews.

The stakes are different too. A problematic tenant might damage your property over months, but a bad Airbnb guest can cause thousands of pounds in damage over a single weekend. They could throw unauthorised parties, violate noise ordinances, or leave your property in such a state that you'll lose bookings for weeks while you repair and clean.

But here's the flip side: get it right, and you'll have guests who treat your property like their own home, leave glowing reviews that boost your listing's visibility, and return for future stays. The key is knowing what to look for in those crucial first interactions.

The Anatomy of a High-Value Guest

Complete and Thoughtful Communication

High-value guests don't just send "Is this available?" They provide context about their trip, explain why they chose your property, and ask relevant questions about the space. When someone takes time to read your listing properly and asks about specific amenities or local recommendations, they're showing respect for your property and investment.

We've noticed that guests who mention specific details from your listing: like asking about the workspace you've set up or commenting on the garden photos: tend to be more observant and careful. They've clearly spent time researching, which suggests they'll treat your space with similar consideration.

Verified Profiles with History

Look for guests with complete profiles including photos, verified phone numbers, and government ID confirmation. Multiple verification badges aren't just good practice: they indicate someone who's committed to the platform and understands the importance of trust in the sharing economy.

Previous reviews are gold, but pay attention to what hosts actually say. Generic positive reviews might not tell the whole story, but detailed comments about cleanliness, communication, and respectfulness give you real insight into how they'll treat your property.

Reasonable Booking Patterns

High-value guests typically book with reasonable advance notice and for sensible durations. While last-minute bookings aren't automatically red flags, guests who book well in advance often have legitimate travel purposes and are more likely to stick to house rules.

Be particularly attentive to booking patterns that match your property type. A family booking your three-bedroom house for a week-long holiday shows different intent than a group of twenty-somethings booking for a single Saturday night.

Red Flags That Signal Trouble

Evasive or Minimal Communication

Guests who won't answer direct questions about their visit purpose, group size, or local connections should raise immediate concerns. In our experience managing properties across the UK, guests who are vague about their plans are often the ones planning activities that violate your house rules.

Pay attention to inconsistencies too. If someone says they're traveling for business but then mentions bringing eight friends, something doesn't add up. Trust your instincts when communication feels off.

New Profiles or Suspicious Reviews

Brand new accounts aren't automatically problematic: everyone starts somewhere. But new profiles combined with other red flags warrant extra scrutiny. Look for accounts created just days before booking, especially for weekend stays in party-friendly locations.

Unusual Requests or Pushback on Rules

Guests who immediately start negotiating house rules or asking about exceptions to your policies are telling you something important. High-value guests understand that rules exist for good reasons and respect property owners' boundaries.

Be particularly cautious of requests to modify check-in procedures, bring additional guests not included in the booking, or use the property for purposes outside your listing description.

The Screening Conversation: What to Ask

Purpose and Plans

A simple "What brings you to the area?" can reveal volumes about a guest's intentions. Business travelers, family visitors, and genuine tourists typically provide straightforward, detailed answers. Vague responses like "just visiting friends" without specifics might warrant follow-up questions.

Don't be afraid to ask about their daily plans if something feels unclear. Guests with legitimate travel purposes are usually happy to share their itinerary, especially if you frame it as wanting to provide helpful local recommendations.

Group Dynamics

Understanding who's traveling together helps you assess potential risk. A family group has different dynamics than a group of university friends, and both deserve different consideration than a corporate retreat.

Ask about the relationship between travelers and who's managing the booking. Responsible groups typically have one person coordinating for everyone, while chaotic bookings might indicate poor group organization that could extend to property care.

Technology Tools for Better Screening

Platform-Specific Features

Most booking platforms offer verification tools and guest screening features that can streamline your process. Airbnb's "Host Guarantee" and guest identity verification provide some protection, but they're starting points rather than complete solutions.

Use platform messaging systems for initial screening: they create documentation of guest communication that can be valuable if issues arise later.

Third-Party Screening Services

Advanced screening tools can cross-reference guest information against databases of previous incidents, though these services typically make more sense for professional management companies handling multiple properties.

At Statera Estates, we use comprehensive screening protocols across all our managed properties, combining platform tools with our own experience-based assessment criteria.

Setting Expectations Early

Clear House Rules

Your listing should include specific, detailed house rules that set expectations from the start. Don't just say "no parties": explain quiet hours, occupancy limits, and consequences for violations.

High-value guests appreciate clear boundaries because it helps them plan appropriate stays. Problematic guests often try to find loopholes or negotiate exceptions.

Pre-Arrival Communication

The days between booking confirmation and check-in offer valuable screening opportunities. Send welcome messages with check-in instructions, local recommendations, and gentle reminders about house rules.

Pay attention to how guests respond to this communication. Engaged, appreciative responses suggest guests who'll respect your property, while non-responsive or dismissive replies might indicate potential issues.

When to Trust Your Gut

Sometimes screening comes down to intuition backed by experience. If multiple small concerns add up to an uncomfortable feeling about a booking, it's better to decline politely than deal with potential problems later.

Professional Airbnb management companies like Statera Estates develop this instinct through managing hundreds of bookings across different property types and locations. We've learned to spot patterns that individual landlords might miss until they've gained significant experience.

The transition from traditional buy-to-let to short-term rentals requires learning an entirely new set of skills, from guest screening to dynamic pricing to professional cleaning coordination. While the screening techniques in this guide can help you identify high-value guests, managing a successful Airbnb operation involves much more than just choosing the right bookings.

That's why many savvy property investors choose to partner with experienced short-term rental management companies rather than handling everything themselves. The time you save on screening alone: not to mention guest communication, cleaning coordination, and pricing optimization: often more than pays for professional management services.

Remember, every interaction with potential guests is an opportunity to set expectations and attract the kind of visitors who'll treat your property investment with the respect it deserves. The screening skills you develop will directly impact your property's profitability, review scores, and long-term success in the competitive short-term rental market.

Statera Estates

Professional serviced apartment management company. Helping landlords and investors generate more income and reduce their tax liabilities by managing their properties as serviced apartments

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OUR LATEST PROJECTS

PROPERTY WAS VACANT FOR 2 YEARS

LANDLORD WAS GIVING UP ON IT

GOT IN TOUCH WITH US AND THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING!

HERE

HIM DECIDING TO GO FOR A

TRADITIONAL RENTAL VS USING OUR SERVICES

90%

Occupancy rate

2X

Profit comparing to BTL

9.5

Excellent on Booking.com

Godwin

"Before I came across Statera Estates I had this property vacant for 2 years. I was starting to get frustrated and was thinking about selling because I did not want to go back to dealing with regular tenants. If someone had told me 2 years ago that I could make more than double the profits on this property and not having to deal with tenants, I would have never believed them, but that is exactly what has happened. My property is looking the best it ever has, always book booked out and I never have to ask any questions because I have my own portal which allows me to see exactly what is happening at any given point. I could not recommend this company highly enough!"

USEFUL TO KNOW

Lots of landlords are unaware of the potential to increase the income they generate from their properties. So much so that a whole new income strategy has come out of this lack of knowledge, called rent-to-rent.

This is where landlords are offered guaranteed rent for a fixed term, this could be anywhere from 12 - 60 months, the landlord then allows the service provider to sublet the property, which they then turn into serviced apartments. In theory, there are benefits to the landlord, as they no longer have to worry about void periods, management, evictions etc. The difference between what the service provider

rents the property from the landlord for, and what they are able to get on the open market, is theirs to keep as profit

AT STATERA ESTATES, WE BELIEVE THERE IS A BETTER WAY!

Having worked with many investors, we understand the landlords journey, the sacrifices they have made to put themselves on the ladder, and as such we believe it is unfair that so many property investors and landlords are missing out on the opportunity to maximise on the investment that they’ve worked very hard to attain, while others are often times making more money from their properties than they are as landlords and investors.

GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR PROPERTY

INCREASE YOUR CASHFLOW

MORE TIME, WE MANAGE IT FOR YOU

CUTTING OUT THE MIDDLEMAN

LEGISLATION AND TAX BENEFITS

We decided that we will focus on helping landlords get the most out of their properties and increase cash flow by managing their properties on their behalf as serviced apartments, and in the process, cutting out the middleman. This puts the control back into their hands as they are now able to benefit from all the legislation that doesn't apply to using your property as a serviced apartment.

WANT TO JOIN OUR INCREASED INCOME REVOLUTION?

BOOK A FREE STRATEGY CALL

TERMS &

CONDITIONS

Statera Estates LTD is a company incorporated in England and Wales with registered number 14204437 and registered offices at 2627, 321-323 High Road, Chadwell Heath, Romford, Essex, RM6 6AX, United Kingdom.

Statera Estates LTD is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office, with registration number ZB361736

Statera Estates LTD is a member of The Property Ombudsman Scheme, with membership No. T08031.