Five new year resolutions for short-term rental hosts in 2026

By James Varley, Founder & CEO, Host Planet

Regular listeners to the Host Planet Podcast will know that, alongside running Host Planet, I also own and manage two short-term rentals in Yorkshire.

Like many hosts and property managers, the past 12 months have been challenging. Cleaning and maintenance issues, changing property management system (PMS), and increasingly short booking lead times have all made day-to-day operations more demanding. In other words – nothing out of the ordinary for those of us operating in the short-term rental industry.

With 2026 on the horizon, I’ve set five New Year resolutions to help refocus operations, reduce friction, and strengthen direct bookings. I’d love to hear yours too – feel free to share them in the comments or email me at james@hostplanet.club.

1. Prioritise regulation, compliance, and maintenance

This one is non-negotiable and always my first focus at the start of the year.

During Q1, I’ll be making sure both properties are fully compliant and operationally sound, including:

• Electrical and gas safety checks

• Fire alarms and carbon monoxide alarms

• Reviewing and testing the fire risk assessment

• Addressing any maintenance issues identified over winter

Just before Christmas, I carried out a full walkthrough of both properties, logging anything that needed attention. Starting the year with a clear compliance and maintenance plan removes stress – and protects both guests and the business.

2. Network more to drive direct bookings

Towards the end of 2025, my mum was coaxed out of (short-term rental) retirement to help me manage the properties.

With a lot of travel planned and the Host Planet Roadshow coming up, I needed someone I could trust to keep everything running smoothly. One of our key conversations before Christmas focused on increasing direct bookings.

My mum has strong local connections, and in 2026 we’re planning to actively leverage that network. She’ll also be joining a local business networking group to promote the properties and attract more corporate and midweek stays.

We already benefit from regular tradespeople bookings from Monday to Friday – but there’s no downside to widening the net.

3. Get serious about social media marketing

I’ve recorded several podcast episodes about the power of social media for selling short-term rentals – and yet I’ve been terrible at following my own advice.

That changes in 2026.

This year, I’m committing to a manageable number of weekly social media posts designed to:

• Appeal to our ideal guests

• Increase visibility of the properties

• Drive more traffic to our direct booking website

Consistency matters more than volume, and this is one area where I know there’s untapped opportunity.

4. Double down on QR Codes for guest experience and direct bookings

One of the most effective tactics we introduced recently was QR code posters inside the properties, directing guests straight to our website.

This has been a simple but powerful way to convert OTA guests into repeat direct bookers, and we’ll be doubling down on this strategy in 2026.

I also plan to introduce additional QR codes to improve the guest experience, including:

• Digital guidebooks

• Wi-Fi details

• Appliance how-to guides

• Contact and support information

The goal is simple: reduce friction and answer questions instantly.

5. Lean into the family effect

I’ve seen plenty of advice about adding a personal photo to the “About” page of your direct booking website – and I’ve finally decided to take it.

In 2026, we’ll be adding a photo of my mum and me to the site to reinforce the fact this is a family-run short-term rental business. Trust matters more than ever, and small personal touches can go a long way in helping guests feel confident about booking direct.

What are your new year resolutions?

These are my five new year resolutions as a short-term rental host heading into 2026. What are yours?

Let us know in the comments below or drop me a message at james@hostplanet.club – I’d love to hear what you’re focusing on this year.