THE GUEST MAN
Listing Setup · Pre-Start Checklist
THE GUEST MAN

Before We Start —
Here's What You Need

Four things are required before your listing setup can begin: the right accounts, full platform access, professional photos and a property that's completely ready. When these four are done, we can move fast.

Phase 1
Create Accounts
Phase 2
Give Ian Access
Phase 3
Get Photos Done
Phase 4
Property Ready
1

Phase 1

Create Your Accounts

🌐 Booking.com Required · Free to create

Create a Booking.com partner account

Go to the Booking.com partner sign-up page and register as a new property. You'll create your host "extranet" account — again, Ian handles the actual listing setup.

Tip: use the same email as your Airbnb account to keep things simple.

🏠 VRBO / Stayz Required · Free to create

Create a VRBO account

VRBO (which also powers Stayz in Australia) gives access to a different market of travellers — especially families and longer-stay bookings. Ian will build and sync the listing once you have an account.

2

Phase 2

Give Ian Full Access

Ian's email address for all invitations

Use this exact email for every platform below. You can revoke access at any time once setup is complete.

🏡 Airbnb Add as co-host with full access

How to add Ian as a co-host on Airbnb

1

Log in to Airbnb and go to Menu → Your listings (if you don't have a listing yet, Ian will create it — come back to this step after setup starts)

2

Open your listing → scroll to Co-hosts → tap Invite a co-host

3

Enter info@theguestman.com.au and select Full access

4

Ian will accept the invitation and can then manage the listing on your behalf

Full access means Ian can edit the listing, manage bookings, message guests and update pricing. You remain the owner and can remove access at any time.

🌐 Booking.com Add as admin user in extranet

How to add Ian in Booking.com Extranet

1

Log in to extranet.booking.com

2

Go to Account → User management → Add new user

3

Enter info@theguestman.com.au and set the role to Admin

4

Ian will receive an email invitation to accept access

⚙️ Hospitable Add as team member (Admin)

How to invite Ian on Hospitable

1

Log in to your Hospitable account at app.hospitable.com

2

Go to Settings → Team → Invite team member

3

Enter info@theguestman.com.au and set the role to Admin

4

Ian will build out your messaging sequences, automated reviews, pricing rules and reporting

🏠 VRBO Add as property manager

How to add Ian on VRBO

1

Log in to your VRBO owner dashboard

2

Go to My listings → Settings → Property access

3

Enter info@theguestman.com.au and grant full property manager access

3

Phase 3

Get Professional Photos Done

Non-negotiable

No phone photos. No real estate photos. Professional only.

Your photos are your first impression on every platform. Listings with professional photos earn 20–40% more per night and get booked faster. This is the single highest-return investment you can make before going live. Setup cannot begin without photos.

Before the photographer arrives

🛏️Every bed made with fresh, matching linen — hotel style
🧹Property spotlessly clean — windows, bench tops, floors, bathrooms
🌿Remove clutter — benches clear, cords hidden, bins out of sight
💡All lights on, blinds/curtains open for natural light
🌺Add a few touches — fresh flowers, fruit bowl, folded towels
🚗Cars moved from driveway and visible parking areas
🏊Pool/spa cleaned and toys/equipment stored away if visible
4

Phase 4

Property Must Be Completely Ready

When Ian starts, he starts without delay.

There is no go-back once setup begins. Your property needs to be fully furnished, stocked and access-ready before work starts. Incomplete properties slow everything down and impact your first-impression reviews.

Furnished & Equipped

🛏️Beds — frames, mattresses, full linen set (Ian supplies linen each turnover)
🛋️Living areas fully furnished — sofa, TV, side tables
🍳Kitchen equipped — all cookware, crockery, cutlery, glasses
Coffee maker, kettle, toaster — at minimum
🌡️Air conditioning working and remotes present
📺Smart TV or streaming device set up
🪣Outdoor bin, mop, vacuum accessible for housekeeping

Access & Info for Ian

🔐McGrath Windsor lock + Gateway 7 installed and connected to WiFi — Ian handles the TTL ↔ Hospitable integration during setup
📶WiFi network name and password (will appear in guest guide)
🏢Building access details (intercom, car park code, lift access)
🗑️Bin day and bin location
🚫Your house rules (no smoking, no parties, max guests, pets)
📅Any dates you want blocked for personal use
💲Your minimum nightly rate (lowest price you're comfortable with)

Good to Know Before You Go Live

🛡️Short-term rental insurance — standard home insurance doesn't cover STR. Talk to your insurer or BizCover.
🏢Body corporate — if your property is in a strata, confirm short-stay is permitted before listing
💰Tax — STR income is taxable. Speak to your accountant about GST (required if annual turnover exceeds $75k)
🏦Airbnb payout — have your BSB and account number ready during Airbnb signup for direct deposit
🪪ID verification — Airbnb requires identity verification. Have your driver's licence or passport ready
🔧Maintenance contact — a local tradesperson Ian can call for urgent issues (plumber, electrician)

All four phases complete?

You're ready to go live.

Once accounts are created, Ian has full access, photos are done and your property is ready — setup begins immediately. Airbnb, Booking.com, Google Vacation Rentals, VRBO and your direct booking site, all done in one go.

Ian Muir t/as The Guest Man Cairns · ABN 57 166 836 288 · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Licence 4936672