Everything you need to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about Atlanta short-term rental management, pricing, regulations, our process, and the 2026 World Cup opportunity — answered.
Getting Started
What areas of Metro Atlanta do you serve?
We serve all of Metro Atlanta and the surrounding suburbs, including Midtown, Buckhead, Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Grant Park, West Midtown, East Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, Smyrna, and more. If you're within Metro Atlanta, contact us — we almost certainly serve your area.
How do I get started with Stellar Rentals?
Start with a free consultation — no commitment, no pressure. We'll learn about your property, your goals, and your current situation, then show you exactly what we'd do and give you a revenue projection. If it makes sense for both of us, we move forward. If not, you've lost nothing.
How long does it take to list my property on Airbnb or VRBO?
Most properties go live within 5–10 business days of completing our onboarding process. The timeline includes photography coordination, listing copywriting, platform setup, pricing configuration, and house rule setup. Properties that already have professional photos can sometimes go live faster.
Do I need to do anything to prepare my property before handing over management?
We'll walk you through a pre-listing checklist during onboarding. Typically this includes ensuring the property is guest-ready (clean, stocked with essentials, smart lock installed), completing any pending repairs, and having professional photos taken. We can coordinate photography and provide a supplies checklist.
Can I still stay at my own property?
Absolutely. You own the property — you can block dates any time you want to stay there yourself. We just ask for reasonable advance notice (typically 48–72 hours for shorter stays, longer for blocking extended periods during peak seasons) so we can manage bookings around your personal use.
Can you take over management of a property I'm already listing on Airbnb?
Yes. We can transition management of an existing Airbnb or VRBO listing, including taking over guest communications, updating listing optimization, and integrating your property into our cleaning and maintenance systems. The transition is typically seamless for guests with no interruption in bookings.
Pricing & Fees
How much does Stellar Rentals charge for STR management in Atlanta?
We charge 10–20% of gross booking revenue for short-term rental management, and 8–10% of monthly rent for long-term rental management. The exact percentage depends on property type, location, and the services required. We'll give you a specific quote during your free consultation.
Are there any setup fees or monthly retainers?
No. We don't charge setup fees, monthly retainers, or hidden fees. Our compensation is purely a percentage of the revenue we generate for you. If your property isn't booked, we don't earn anything. This aligns our incentives with yours.
How are management fees calculated?
Management fees are calculated as a percentage of the gross booking revenue — the total amount the guest pays before any platform fees. For example, if a guest pays $1,500 for a 3-night stay, our 15% fee would be $225. You receive the remainder after Airbnb's platform fee (typically 3%) and our management fee.
How do owner payouts work?
We provide monthly owner statements that itemize every booking, every fee, and your net earnings. Payouts are processed monthly, typically within the first week of the following month. You'll have full visibility into your property's performance.
What happens if my property doesn't get booked in a given month?
You pay nothing. Our fee is performance-based — we only earn when you earn. That said, our job is to price your property competitively and market it effectively to minimize gaps. An empty calendar is bad for both of us.
Can professional management actually pay for itself?
For most properties, yes — and then some. Professional management typically increases revenue 20–40% through better pricing, listing optimization, and maintained Superhost status. A property earning $2,500/month self-managed might earn $3,200/month under management. Our 15% fee on $3,200 ($480) costs less than the $700 revenue increase — and returns 8–15 hours of your time per month.
What We Manage
What does full-service STR management include?
Full-service management includes: listing setup and optimization, professional photography coordination, dynamic pricing, 24/7 guest messaging and screening, booking management, turnover cleaning coordination via our Turn platform, supply restocking, maintenance coordination, owner reporting, and monthly payouts. Everything, end to end.
How do you handle cleaning and turnovers?
We use Turn, our proprietary cleaning operations platform, to schedule, coordinate, and verify every turnover. Cleaners receive photo-verified checklists after every checkout. Hosts (you) get real-time visibility into cleaning progress. This eliminates the most common source of guest complaints — an improperly cleaned property.
How do you screen guests?
We review guest profiles, booking history, verified ID status, and reviews from previous hosts before accepting bookings. We also apply house rules that filter out guests who are a poor fit (no parties, appropriate group size, etc.). Our goal is to protect your property while maintaining strong occupancy.
Do you handle maintenance and repairs?
Yes. We manage a vetted vendor network for repairs, appliance issues, and preventive maintenance. For non-urgent items, we notify you before authorizing work above an agreed threshold (typically $200–$500). Emergencies are handled immediately — your guests and property come first.
Do you manage properties on both Airbnb and VRBO?
Yes. We can list and manage your property on Airbnb, VRBO, or both simultaneously. Dual-platform listing typically increases occupancy by making your property visible to each platform's distinct audience. We sync calendars to prevent double bookings.
How do I track how my property is performing?
You receive monthly owner statements with full booking details, revenue, and expense breakdowns. We're also available for check-in calls if you want to discuss pricing strategy, seasonal performance, or any concerns. Transparency is non-negotiable — you always know exactly what's happening with your property.
Atlanta Short-Term Rental Regulations
Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in the City of Atlanta?
Yes. The City of Atlanta requires short-term rental operators to obtain a Short-Term Rental License (also called an Occupation Tax Certificate). The application is submitted through the City's online portal and costs approximately $150 per year. Operating without a license can result in fines of $500 or more per violation.
Does my Atlanta Airbnb need to be my primary residence?
Under current City of Atlanta regulations, short-term rental properties must be the operator's primary residence. This means you must live in the property for a majority of the year. Investment properties that are not your primary residence may not be legally operated as STRs within city limits. Regulations in surrounding cities and counties (Sandy Springs, Decatur, Fulton County unincorporated) vary — some are less restrictive.
What about STR regulations in Decatur, Sandy Springs, or suburban areas?
STR regulations vary significantly by jurisdiction. Decatur and Sandy Springs are independent cities with their own ordinances, which have historically been less restrictive than the City of Atlanta's owner-occupancy requirement. Properties in unincorporated DeKalb County, Fulton County, Gwinnett County, and Cobb County are subject to county-level rules, not Atlanta city rules. Always verify current requirements with the specific local government before listing.
Will regulations change around the World Cup 2026?
Enforcement typically increases around major events. The City of Atlanta has signaled attention to STR compliance ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We recommend ensuring your property is properly permitted well ahead of the summer 2026 window. We can help guide you through the permit process during our onboarding.
The Turn Platform
What is Turn and how does it work?
Turn is Stellar Rentals' proprietary cleaning and operations platform. It automatically schedules cleaners after each guest checkout, sends them photo-verified checklists for every room, and lets us (and you) track cleaning progress in real time. It eliminates the coordination overhead that causes most STR operational headaches.
Can Turn work for my property if I manage it myself?
Turn was originally built to manage our own properties. We now offer it as a standalone tool for self-managing hosts. If you want to keep managing guest communications yourself but want better cleaning coordination, ask about Turn access during your consultation.
World Cup 2026
How much will the 2026 FIFA World Cup impact Atlanta Airbnb rates?
Significantly. Mercedes-Benz Stadium is hosting 5 World Cup matches (June 15, 18, 22, 25, and a July 5 quarterfinal), drawing hundreds of thousands of international visitors to Atlanta. Historical data from other World Cup host cities shows 3x–5x normal nightly rates in the weeks surrounding matches, with properties near downtown and Midtown seeing the highest surges. Atlanta hosts who are listing, optimized, and priced correctly by early 2026 will capture this demand.
What is the Stellar Rentals World Cup property audit?
Our World Cup audit is a comprehensive property walk-through we offer ahead of summer 2026. We check HVAC performance, Wi-Fi speed, smart lock functionality, safety equipment, listing photo quality, and supply inventory — everything that affects guest experience and review scores during the World Cup window. Properties that pass or complete the audit are better positioned to capture the rate surge. Request your audit via the World Cup Audit form on our homepage.
Still have questions?
The fastest way to get answers is a free 20-minute consultation. We'll talk through your specific property, goals, and any concerns — no sales pressure.
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