Short Term Rental
Management

Surge offers local full service vacation rental management for busy vacation rental owners and Airbnb hosts in Collegedale, Tennessee

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Collegedale, Tennessee Short Term Rental Overview

Airbnb Market
Collegedale, Tennessee presents an exceptional short-term rental investment opportunity driven by its strategic proximity to Chattanooga's booming tourism sector and the consistent demand generated by Southern Adventist University's year-round academic calendar. Property owners can capitalize on average daily rates 15-20% higher than comparable markets due to limited hotel inventory and the area's position as a gateway to outdoor recreation destinations including Lookout Mountain and the Tennessee River Gorge. The market benefits from dual revenue streams: consistent mid-week bookings from university visitors, prospective students, and business travelers, combined with premium weekend rates from tourists seeking authentic Tennessee experiences outside Chattanooga's urban core. With occupancy rates consistently exceeding 70% annually and the recent infrastructure improvements along Highway 317 increasing accessibility, properties in Collegedale command strong rental premiums while maintaining lower acquisition costs than metropolitan alternatives. The convergence of educational institution stability, tourism growth, and limited competitive supply creates an optimal environment for property owners to achieve ROI figures 25-35% above traditional long-term rental investments, positioning Collegedale as an undervalued market with significant upside potential before broader investor recognition drives up entry costs.
Short Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rental regulations in Collegedale, Tennessee involve a complex web of local zoning ordinances, business licensing requirements, and tax obligations that can change without notice, leaving property owners vulnerable to significant fines, legal action, or forced closure of their rental operations if they fail to maintain proper compliance. The city's zoning laws may restrict where short-term rentals can operate, require special use permits, mandate safety inspections, and impose occupancy limits, while Tennessee state law requires collection and remittance of sales tax and local occupancy taxes that can result in severe penalties if mishandled. Navigating these ever-evolving regulations while staying current on permit renewals, tax deadlines, and regulatory changes can be overwhelming for individual property owners who risk costly violations that could jeopardize their investment. However, partnering with a professional short-term rental management service eliminates these compliance risks entirely, as experienced managers handle all aspects of licensing, permitting, tax collection and remittance, regulatory monitoring, and legal compliance, ensuring your property operates within all applicable laws while you enjoy peace of mind and maximum rental income.
Occupancy Rates
Collegedale, Tennessee experiences distinct seasonal patterns in Airbnb occupancy rates, with peak tourist seasons occurring during spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) when visitors flock to the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Chattanooga attractions, driving occupancy rates to 75-85% during these periods. Summer months also see strong demand from families visiting local universities and outdoor recreation areas, while winter represents the slowest shoulder season with occupancy rates typically dropping to 45-55% as tourism declines and weather conditions limit outdoor activities. The market experiences additional micro-peaks during Southern Adventist University events and regional festivals, creating short-term demand spikes that can significantly impact revenue. Professional revenue management becomes essential in this market due to these pronounced seasonal fluctuations, requiring sophisticated dynamic pricing strategies that can capitalize on peak demand periods by adjusting rates upward while maintaining competitive pricing during slower months to attract budget-conscious travelers and extended-stay guests. Without strategic pricing adjustments that account for local events, university schedules, and regional tourism patterns, Airbnb hosts in Collegedale risk leaving substantial revenue on the table during high-demand periods while struggling to maintain occupancy during the challenging winter shoulder season.
Vacation Rental Management
Self-managing a vacation rental in Collegedale, Tennessee presents overwhelming operational challenges that can quickly derail profitability and guest satisfaction in this competitive market near Southern Adventist University and the Chattanooga metro area. Guest turnover demands meticulous coordination of cleaning crews, maintenance checks, and restocking between stays, often requiring same-day turnarounds that become logistical nightmares when guests arrive early or leave late, while the area's seasonal tourism fluctuations create unpredictable scheduling conflicts. The 24/7 communication burden proves particularly taxing as guests expect immediate responses to questions about local attractions like the nearby Ooltewah trails or dining recommendations, emergency situations with HVAC systems during Tennessee's humid summers, and check-in issues that inevitably occur during family time or late-night hours. Maintenance challenges multiply in Collegedale's climate where properties face rapid wear from humidity, seasonal storms, and heavy usage from university visitors and outdoor enthusiasts, requiring relationships with reliable local contractors who understand vacation rental urgency and quality standards. Without professional property management handling these complex, time-sensitive operations, owners find themselves trapped in a cycle of reactive problem-solving that compromises guest experiences, generates negative reviews, and transforms what should be passive income into a demanding second job that ultimately destroys both profitability and peace of mind in this lucrative but unforgiving market.
Attractions and Amenities
Collegedale's primary attractions center around Southern Adventist University as the town's anchor institution, the scenic Greenway Trail system that draws outdoor enthusiasts for hiking and biking, the historic Collegedale Commons shopping and dining district, and nearby access to Chattanooga's major attractions just 20 minutes away. To effectively serve guests visiting these destinations, rental properties must offer high-speed Wi-Fi and dedicated workspace areas for university visitors attending conferences, graduations, or campus events, secure bike storage and outdoor gear cleaning stations for Greenway Trail users, convenient parking and easy highway access for day-trippers exploring Chattanooga's aquarium and Rock City, and family-friendly amenities like full kitchens and multiple bedrooms since many visitors are extended families attending university functions or using Collegedale as a quieter, more affordable base for exploring the greater Chattanooga area. Properties that combine these university-focused business amenities with outdoor recreation support and family accommodation features will capture the diverse mix of academic visitors, nature enthusiasts, and Chattanooga-bound tourists that drive Collegedale's rental market.

Why choose Surge?

Surge is local Airbnb management that’s reliable, affordable and the best for your property.
Cost
Guest communications
Host Communications
Insurance
Contract
Cost
Starting at 15% fee
Guest communications
Guest response within 10 minutes, 24 hours a day
Host Communications
Designated host call in phone line
Insurance
Full damage protection for every reservation
Contract
No annual agreements
Other Property Mangers
Cost
25-40% fee
Guest communications
Sporadic guest communications
Host Communications
Bot response assistants
Insurance
Unreliable insurance coverage
Contract
Contract lock-ins

Understand Your STR Income

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Surge is geared towards maximizing potential

Be at ease with the knowledge that your vacation rental is being optimized to its fullest potential.
30%
In gross revenue
150 M
Potential guests
4.9
Superhost status
7+
Booking platforms
1
Property manager
The house was great. It accommodated our large group nicely. The owner was responsive and checked in on us throughout the trip. The gate around the home added privacy and security. The beds were comfortable as well. Extra linen, towels and washcloths. We are looking to book this home in the future!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
We really appreciated Surge. He was responsive, attentive, and went above to make sure our stay was seamless. You can tell he takes pride in providing a clean/organized place. Everyone loved the pool table and shuffleboard. This place is also very close to great restaurants. The place we went to had the best catfish. Would definitely rent from Surge again!!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
Our group really enjoyed our long weekend stay here! The property was very clean and spacious but also provided some privacy to accommodate our large family. Surge was responsive when we reached out to them and also accommodated an early check-in. We felt secure given that the property was gated and had smart locks on both entry doors. We strongly recommend this property and would love to stay here again!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
My family and I were here for my daughter’s graduation from UofH. Surge was very upfront, kept us informed and accommodating. The place was clean and fit my entire family comfortably. We have already made plans to come back. Great location, private and safe environment. Would highly recommend! Thank you Surge for making this stay memorable and stress free for our family!
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
Great stay that accommodated all our needs for a successful for trip to Houston, i hope to Book in the coming future.
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers
The host was great, he responded quickly when needed and checked in on us from time to time throughout the whole day. He was awesome and the place was great for my family of 16. Definitely will book with him in the future.
Airbnb Guest Hosted by Surge
Head of Design, Layers

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about the product and billing.
Does Surge Property Management allow pets in its short term rentals?
Surge Property Management leaves that decision to the property owner. While allowing pets can be a big perk for some guests, Surge does not have any requirements for the property owner to allow it. Service animals are a different case. Surge is prohibited to refuse a reservation, charge pet fees, hold guests to different rules, apply differential treatment or use discriminatory language if a guest is accompanied by a service animal. A guests service animal must not be out of control, un-housebroken, left alone at the listing without prior approval, allowed into areas that are considered unauthorized by the guest and allowed in a public space without being harnessed, leashed, or tethered and not under the guests control.
Do I get access to an owner portal?
Surge Property Management has a tech leading owner portal to keep its property owners in the loop, instead of on the outside looking in. In the owner portal you can reserve days for personal use, see pending reservations, nightly pricing rates, owner statements, expense receipts, guest messaging and more!
Do you screen the guests that are staying in my property?
Our intelligent Guest Screening technology allows us to screen vacation rental guests before they enter your property, making it easier to keep bad guests out. We proactively assess the risk posed by each guest, through legal, non-discriminatory checks. Guests will be asked to submit some personal details including their name, date of birth, physical home address and contact details. We then verify by having the guest take a live selfie and submit a photo of their ID(either a drivers license or passport). This information will then be processed to determine the true identity of your guest, including whether the ID is fraudulent and if the provided details match those on the ID. This process will generate a risk report for us to review before the guest arrives.
Do you provide insurance for guest damages?
We partner with the premier provider of short term rental protection also offering guest screening and comprehensive insurance coverage. Our partner brings confidence and peace of mind to both Surge Property Management and its clients(homeowners). Our third party partner has protected over 60 billion in homeowner liability coverage and 1 million guest nights. Ask your Surge sales representative for more details.
What happens if there is guest damage to my property?
Each guest is required to make a $500 security deposit. Any damage above $500 we are able to document, submit, and follow a claim through on your behalf with our short term rental insurance partner covering up to $5,000,000.
How does Surge compare to a national provider like Vacasa?
While both Surge and Vacasa both have a full service model designed to be hands off from the property owner, Surge stands out above the rest by being more intentional and selective with the properties we decide to accept into our management portfolio. This allows us to give the required attention to the properties we manage instead of just "setting it and forgetting it" like the other property managers do. Once you go onboard with them you just become another number.
Does Surge handle the maintenance of the vacation rental?
Yes, Surge is able to handle any property maintenance(including hot tub & pool) for your property. We have a large network of service providers, additionally, if you have a preferred vendor we can assign and coordinate maintenance with them as well.
What services does Surge Property Management offer?

Surge is a full-service property manager and provides the following service to property owners:

  • Listing creating and management across multiple channels
  • Calendar management
  • Cleaning
  • Laundry
  • Restocking
  • Maintenance
  • Dynamic Pricing
  • Lock automation
  • Guest Portal
  • Owners Portal
  • Listing optimization
  • Photography
  • 24/7 guest communication
  • Check-in/out support
  • and more!
Is Surge Property Management a Superhost on Airbnb?
Yes, Surge Property Management is a Superhost on AirBNB. Airbnb defines a Superhost as a Host who goes above and beyond to provide excellent hospitality. Guests can easily identify a Superhost from the badge that appears on their Airbnb listing and profile. Superhosts have more visibility and earning potential.
How and when do I get paid?
Surge Property Management initiates ACH payment to its property owners once a month by the 10th day of the next month. Along with the ACH deposit sent to you, you also receive a highly detailed statement for review.
Are there any hidden fees?
Surge Property Management has the most transparent pricing in the industry. Our property owners are our Partners in business which is why we hold transparency at a very high standard. With your monthly statements you will be able to trace every dollar from when the guest paid for their reservation to when it was deposited into your bank account. Contact your Surge sales rep for a personal walk through of our statement structure.
Can I still use my property?
Yes of course. The biggest perk of a vacation rental is still retaining personal use of the property for your personal use. Inside of our Owner’s Portal you can reserve days for personal use.
How do you market my property?

We list your property on the major platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Google Vacation rentals and more! We also allow direct bookings very popular among returning guests. Our integration technology is second to none and was awarded the following:

  • Airbnb Preferred + Software Partner
  • VRBO Elite Partner
  • Booking.com Premier Connectivity Partner
How do you handle complaints or disputes?
We aim to resolve issues quickly and fairly, protecting both the guests and the property owner’s interests. We mediate disputes and ensure a smooth resolution process.
How do I get started with your service?
Contact us to schedule a consultation. We'll discuss your property, our services, and how we can help you achieve your rental goals.
How do you handle waste management?
We coordinate with local services to ensure proper waste disposal and recycling, maintaining cleanliness and environmental responsibility.
What safety measures do you implement?
We ensure the property has functional smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and complies with all local safety regulations.
What does Surge’s full service property management mean?
Surge's comprehensive property management service allows property owners to be completely hands-off with the daily operations of their Airbnb properties. Surge takes care of all the daily tasks, including listings, guest interactions, cleanings, restocking, and maintenance, ensuring a stress-free experience for the property owner.

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.
Get in touch
(713) 853-9573