Dear friends!

One day last week I woke up to… no power.
No lights. No coffee. No Wi-Fi.

Now, before you feel too bad for me, yes — I have a Generac.
And yes — even that wasn’t working. (  Damn it.)

So I did what any seasoned problem-solver does: I put my backup-for-my-backup plan into action. A little scrambling, a little troubleshooting, and eventually… I was good.

But standing there in the dark, it got me thinking about Vacation Rental Owners.

Because hosting — like life — isn’t about whether things go wrong.
It’s about what you do when they do.

So let me ask you this:
 What are your backup plans?
 More importantly… who are they?

And are those plans:

• Written down?
• Tested?
• Updated after the last thing that went sideways?

Here’s a starter list of the most common STR challenges you should have backup plans for — along with solutions to at least consider:

Power & Utilities
• Generator (and someone who knows how to service it)
• Emergency lighting, flashlights, battery packs
• A local contact who can physically check the property

Internet / Tech Failure
• Guest instructions outside your PMS
• Offline access to lock codes
• A backup Wi-Fi option or hotspot plan

Housekeeping No-Shows
• At least one backup cleaner
• A same-day “emergency clean” option
• Clear turnover checklists anyone can follow

Maintenance Emergencies
• A short list of reliable contractors
• One “who answers the phone” option
• Clear authorization limits so work doesn’t stall

Guest Issues After Hours
• Clear escalation rules
• A co-host or on-call backup
• Scripts for common emergencies

You Being Unavailable
• Someone who can step in if you’re sick, traveling, or just offline
• Written instructions (not just what’s in your head)
• Access shared securely, not memorized

The truth is, the strongest STR owners aren’t the ones with fewer problems — they’re the ones who’ve already thought through what happens when problems show up.

Because they always do.

So here’s my challenge to you this week:
Pick one scenario you’re currently winging… and turn it into a plan.

And if you’ve got a great “this went wrong, but here’s how we handled it” story — or a backup solution others could learn from — hit reply and tell me about it. I’d love to share and learn from this community.

After all, problem-solving is a whole lot easier when you’re not doing it alone.

Warmly,

Rebecca