5 Proven Strategies to Retain Your STR Team During Tough Times

As a short-term rental (STR) host, your team—whether it’s cleaners, maintenance crews, virtual assistants, or guest communication specialists—is the backbone of your business. Without their dedication, you couldn’t deliver spotless properties, seamless guest experiences, or consistent 5-star reviews. Yet, in the fast-paced STR world, it’s easy to focus on bookings and guest satisfaction while overlooking the people who make it all possible. With economic uncertainties, remote work trends, and competitive job markets in 2025, retaining your team is more critical than ever. High turnover disrupts operations, increases costs, and risks guest dissatisfaction. Here are five proven strategies to keep your STR team engaged, loyal, and motivated, even during difficult times.

Why Team Retention Matters for STR Hosts

Your team is your greatest asset, turning your property into a welcoming haven for guests. According to a 2024 Gallup study, companies with high employee engagement see 23% higher productivity and 66% lower turnover. For STR hosts, this means fewer disruptions, consistent quality, and more time to focus on growth, like optimizing listings or adding properties. In tough times—whether it’s a slow season, rising costs, or market shifts—retaining your team ensures stability and maintains the guest experience that drives bookings. These strategies will help you build a loyal, high-performing team that sticks with you through any challenge.

1. Offer Competitive Pay and Benefits

While a paycheck isn’t everything, it’s a foundation for retention. Your cleaners, handymen, or virtual assistants know their worth in the competitive STR market. If you’re not paying fairly, they may jump to another host or property management company. Research local rates— cleaners in urban markets might earn $20-$30/hour, while rural rates could be $15-$20. Ensure your wages are competitive, even if you’re a small operation.

If budget constraints limit salaries, sweeten the deal with benefits tailored to STR teams:

• Flexible Scheduling: Allow cleaners to choose shifts that fit their lives, especially during off-peak seasons.

• Health or Wellness Perks: Offer access to discounted gym memberships or wellness apps, which cost as little as $10-$20/month per employee.

• STR-Specific Tools: Provide access to NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors for discounted services like insurance or smart home technology, enhancing their work environment. Visit nationalshorttermrentalassociation.com and sign in to explore member-exclusive vendor deals.

For example, partnering with a vendor like [Vendor Name, e.g., Proper Insurance] can provide team members with peace of mind through affordable STR coverage, making your operation feel more secure and professional.

2. Listen to Your Team’s Voice

A team that feels heard is a team that stays. STR staff often have valuable insights—cleaners might notice guest preferences, while virtual assistants could suggest booking platform tweaks. Yet, 60% of employees feel their ideas are ignored, per a 2024 LinkedIn survey. Create a culture where feedback is welcomed and acted upon to boost loyalty.

Practical ways to listen:

• Regular Check-Ins: Hold monthly one-on-one meetings (in-person or via Zoom) to ask, “What’s working well? What could improve?”

• Anonymous Feedback: Use a free tool like Google Forms to collect honest input, especially from shy team members. We use the EOS system which includes secret scorecards. It works like a charm.

• Act on Suggestions: If a cleaner proposes a better cleaning product, test it and acknowledge their idea. This shows their input shapes the business.

By addressing concerns early—say, a handyman’s need for better tools—you prevent small issues from escalating into reasons to quit.

3. Lead with Inspiration

Great leaders don’t just manage—they inspire. In the STR world, team members often leave not because of the job but because of poor leadership. A 2024 SHRM study found that 57% of employees quit due to their manager. As an STR host, you set the tone for your team, whether it’s a single cleaner or a full crew.

To lead effectively:

• Stay Calm Under Pressure: When a guest leaves a negative review or a pipe bursts, address it calmly and involve your team in solutions.

• Provide Training: Offer workshops on guest communication or cleaning efficiency. NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors, like [Vendor Name, e.g., a smart messaging vendor], provide tools to streamline tasks—check nationalshorttermrentalassociation.com for discounts.

• Celebrate Wins: Thank your cleaner for a 5-star review or your assistant for quick responses. A $10 coffee gift card or public praise goes a long way.

Inspirational leadership keeps your team motivated, even during tough times like economic downturns or peak-season chaos.

4. Invest in Your Team’s Growth

Employees want to grow, not stagnate. In the STR industry, where skills like guest relations or tech proficiency are in demand, offering development opportunities can set you apart. A cleaner who learns to use smart locks or a virtual assistant who masters dynamic pricing feels valued and is less likely to leave.

Ways to invest:

• Skill-Building: Provide access to online courses (e.g., Udemy’s $20 hospitality classes) or host a training session on STR platforms.

• Mentorship: Pair a new cleaner with an experienced one to share tips, fostering teamwork.

• Career Pathing: Discuss long-term roles, like promoting a cleaner to a property supervisor if you expand.

Hold quarterly one-on-ones to create growth plans, asking, “What skills do you want to develop?” This investment shows your team they have a future with you.

5. Make Your STR a Source of Pride

Today’s workers want more than a paycheck—they want to work for a business that aligns with their values. In 2025, 70% of employees prioritize purpose-driven companies, per a Deloitte survey. For STR hosts, this means creating a mission that inspires your team, whether it’s delivering unforgettable guest experiences or supporting your community.

Ideas to instill pride:

• Sustainability: Use eco-friendly cleaning products or energy-efficient appliances, appealing to environmentally conscious team members.

• Community Impact: Partner with local charities (e.g., donate a portion of bookings to a food bank) and involve your team in events.

• Guest Stories: Share guest feedback with your team, like “Your cleaning made this family’s vacation magical,” to show their work matters.

By aligning your STR with values your team cares about, you create a workplace they’re proud to be part of, reducing turnover even in tough times.

Final Thoughts

Retaining your STR team during difficult times is about more than keeping staff—it’s about building a loyal, motivated crew that drives your success. By offering competitive pay, listening to their voices, leading with inspiration, investing in growth, and fostering pride, you’ll create a team that sticks with you through slow seasons or market challenges. Start today: thank a team member, schedule a check-in, or explore NSTRA’s Preferred Sponsors for tools to support your crew. Sign in at nationalshorttermrentalassociation.com to access vendor discounts and elevate your STR business. Keep your team, and watch your rentals thrive!

Go and grow in faith and prosperity!