Short Term Rental
Management

Surge offers local full service vacation rental management for busy vacation rental owners and Airbnb hosts in Los Angeles, California

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Los Angeles, California Short Term Rental Overview

Airbnb Market
Los Angeles presents an exceptionally compelling short-term rental investment opportunity, with property owners consistently achieving 15-25% higher revenue compared to traditional long-term leasing due to the city's robust tourism ecosystem and chronic housing shortage driving premium nightly rates. The market benefits from year-round demand fueled by Hollywood entertainment industry professionals, international tourists visiting iconic attractions, and business travelers attending conferences at major venues like the Los Angeles Convention Center, resulting in average daily rates ranging from $150-400 depending on location and property type. Strategic properties in high-demand neighborhoods such as West Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Beverly Hills are generating annual revenues of $75,000-150,000, significantly outperforming the traditional rental market's typical 4-6% annual returns. The city's diverse appeal—from beach proximity to entertainment industry connections—creates multiple revenue streams throughout the year, while recent zoning changes have actually reduced short-term rental supply in certain areas, creating a supply-demand imbalance that favors existing permitted properties with increased pricing power and occupancy rates consistently exceeding 70% for well-managed listings.
Short Term Rental Regulations
Los Angeles has implemented increasingly strict short-term rental regulations that require hosts to obtain proper permits, pay transient occupancy taxes, comply with zoning restrictions, and adhere to specific operational requirements that vary by neighborhood and property type—with violations potentially resulting in hefty fines, legal action, and forced closure of your rental operation. The city's complex web of regulations continues to evolve, making it challenging for property owners to stay current with changing permit requirements, tax obligations, and compliance standards that can differ significantly between areas like Venice, Hollywood, and Downtown LA. However, when you partner with a professional short-term rental management service, you can rest assured that all licensing, permitting, tax collection and remittance, and ongoing legal compliance are handled expertly on your behalf, allowing you to enjoy the income from your property while avoiding the costly risks and time-consuming burden of navigating LA's intricate regulatory landscape yourself.
Occupancy Rates
Los Angeles Airbnb occupancy rates fluctuate significantly throughout the year, with peak tourist seasons occurring during summer months (June through August) when families vacation and international tourists visit, as well as during major events like awards season (January-March) and holiday periods in December. The shoulder seasons typically fall in late fall (October-November) and early spring (April-May), when occupancy rates can drop 15-25% compared to peak periods, while the slowest period generally occurs in January after the holidays despite awards season activity. Professional revenue management becomes crucial during these cyclical patterns, as hosts must implement dynamic pricing strategies that increase rates during high-demand periods while strategically lowering prices during slower months to maintain competitive occupancy levels. Successful Los Angeles Airbnb operators utilize automated pricing tools and market data analysis to adjust rates daily based on local events, weather patterns, convention schedules, and competitor pricing, ensuring they capture maximum revenue during peak seasons while avoiding extended vacancy periods during slower months through strategic rate reductions and targeted marketing to business travelers and off-season tourists.
Vacation Rental Management
Self-managing a vacation rental in Los Angeles presents overwhelming operational challenges that can quickly destroy profitability and guest satisfaction in this hyper-competitive market. Guest turnover in LA's fast-paced tourism environment demands same-day cleaning, restocking, and property inspections between bookings, often requiring coordination with multiple service providers across the sprawling metropolitan area where traffic delays can derail tight schedules. The 24/7 communication demands are particularly brutal, as international guests in different time zones expect immediate responses to urgent issues like broken air conditioning during scorching summer heat waves, security concerns in unfamiliar neighborhoods, or last-minute check-in complications at LAX-adjacent properties. Maintenance challenges are amplified by LA's aging infrastructure, earthquake-related wear, pool and spa requirements, and the need for specialized contractors who understand short-term rental regulations and can respond immediately to preserve bookings worth hundreds of dollars per night. Without professional property management handling these complex logistics, even minor operational failures—a delayed cleaning crew, a missed maintenance call, or a slow response to guest concerns—can trigger devastating reviews that permanently damage search rankings and revenue potential, making full-service management not just convenient but absolutely essential for maintaining the 5-star reputation and truly passive income that successful LA vacation rentals demand.
Attractions and Amenities
Los Angeles attracts millions of visitors annually to its four primary destinations: Hollywood and the Entertainment District (Hollywood Walk of Fame, TCL Chinese Theatre, Universal Studios), the stunning Pacific coastline including Santa Monica Pier and Venice Beach, the upscale shopping and dining corridor of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, and the vibrant Downtown LA arts and cultural scene (Walt Disney Concert Hall, museums, sports venues). To maximize revenue from guests visiting these attractions, properties must offer specific amenities that directly support these experiences: high-speed Wi-Fi and charging stations for guests constantly photographing and sharing their Hollywood experiences on social media, beach equipment rentals or storage (umbrellas, chairs, boogie boards) plus outdoor showers and laundry facilities for sandy, salt-water activities, secure parking and concierge services for guests carrying expensive shopping purchases and dining at high-end establishments, and flexible check-in/check-out times with luggage storage to accommodate evening entertainment schedules at concerts, games, and nightlife venues. Properties that align these targeted amenities with LA's specific tourist draws will command premium rates and achieve higher occupancy by becoming essential basecamp operations rather than mere accommodation options.

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