Short-Term Rental Onboarding & Management Process

DTCM & Building Compliance

Every stay must meet Dubai's holiday home regulations — not just some of them.

The Onboarding Process

Fifteen structured stages — from first conversation to owner statement.

1. 01

   Initial Property Assessment

   We begin by understanding the owner's objectives and assessing whether the property is suitable for short-term or monthly rental.

   • Reviewing the location, property type, size and condition
   • Understanding the owner's income expectations
   • Discussing personal-use requirements
   • Considering future plans to sell or move into the property
   • Reviewing short-term, monthly and longer-term rental options
   • Explaining management fees and expected operating costs
   • Providing realistic guidance based on current market conditions
2. 02

   Owner Documents & Property Verification

   Before the property can be onboarded, we collect and verify the required owner and property documents.

   • Owner's passport or Emirates ID
   • Property title deed or proof of ownership
   • Signed property management agreement
   • DTCM or DET authorisation documents
   • Owner's bank details for payments
   • Utility account details — DEWA, internet provider, AC/chiller provider and gas provider where applicable
   • Service charge account details so payments can be monitored and disconnection avoided
   • Power of Attorney where another person is acting for the owner
   • Company documents where the property is company-owned
   • Additional documentation for mortgaged or jointly owned properties

   All documents must be reviewed and approved before the property can proceed to licensing and listing.

3. 03

   Licensing, Building & Compliance

   The property must meet the applicable requirements for legal holiday home operation.

   • Applying for or transferring the holiday home permit
   • Registering the property with the relevant tourism authority
   • Registering the holiday home with building or community management
   • Confirming building rules and guest access procedures
   • Providing keys, access cards, parking cards and remotes
   • Confirming maximum permitted occupancy
   • Reviewing community and building restrictions
   • Confirming emergency and property contact details

   Some building management companies require guest documents and registration before every arrival.

4. 04

   Property Inspection & Preparation

   Before the property is marketed, it must be inspected and prepared to a suitable guest-ready standard.

   • Full property inspection and snagging review
   • Deep cleaning and inventory inspection
   • Furniture, appliance and mattress checks
   • Linen, towels and kitchen equipment set up
   • High-speed internet, TV and entertainment setup
   • Guest information and property instructions
   • Smoke alarms and fire safety equipment where required
   • Replacement of worn, damaged or unsuitable items

   Any repairs, missing items or required improvements are completed before professional photography and listing activation.

5. 05

   Preventative Maintenance

   Regular preventative maintenance is important for protecting the property and reducing disruption during guest stays.

   • Regular air-conditioning servicing
   • AC duct and ventilation cleaning
   • Scheduled pest control
   • Plumbing inspections and drain cleaning
   • Confirming when electrical systems, appliances and water heaters were last serviced
   • General wear-and-tear checks
   • Furniture and mattress inspections
   • Replacement of damaged or worn household items

   Maintenance requirements may vary depending on the age, condition and type of property.

6. 06

   Photography & Listing Setup

   Once the property is fully prepared, the marketing and listing process can begin.

   • Professional photography
   • Property description, amenities and features
   • Sleeping arrangements and maximum occupancy
   • House rules and property-specific terms
   • Check-in and check-out information
   • Location and nearby attractions
   • Guest instructions and floor plans where available

   The listing must accurately represent the property and avoid creating unrealistic expectations.

7. 07

   Pricing & Booking Setup

   Pricing is not a matter of simply choosing a nightly rate. Rates are reviewed against seasonality, local events, demand, competitor activity, length of stay, occupancy and owner objectives — the aim is to balance strong occupancy with the best possible revenue, rather than being the cheapest property available.

   • Dynamic pricing and seasonal pricing
   • Minimum-stay requirements
   • Monthly rental options where appropriate
   • Cleaning charges and Tourist Dirham
   • Damage protection or security requirements
   • Cancellation and payment terms
   • Owner-use dates and booking calendar controls
   • Check-in and check-out times

   Pricing is reviewed regularly and adjusted in response to demand, seasonality, booking activity and market conditions.

8. 08

   Marketing & Distribution

   Once approved, the property may be marketed through a combination of channels:

   • Direct-booking websites
   • Airbnb
   • Booking.com
   • Other approved booking platforms
   • Corporate and relocation enquiries
   • Monthly-rental channels
   • Existing guest and agent networks

   The selected distribution strategy depends on the property, target guest, owner requirements and market conditions.

9. 09

   Enquiries & Reservation Management

   All guest enquiries and booking requests are managed from initial enquiry through to confirmation.

   • Responding to enquiries and confirming availability
   • Reviewing booking details and special requests
   • Explaining payment and cancellation terms
   • Confirming the number and age of guests
   • Checking the purpose of the stay
   • Collecting payment and issuing booking confirmation
   • Coordinating arrival details

   Not every booking is automatically accepted. Bookings may be reviewed to ensure they suit the property and comply with owner, building and regulatory requirements.

10. 10

    Guest Screening & Compliance Checks

    Every guest is verified before arrival. We collect passports or Emirates IDs for each occupant, complete DTCM registration, register with building management where required, and coordinate access approvals, parking and entry procedures. Screening reduces the risk of unauthorised parties, overcrowding and property misuse — and no keys or digital access are released until documentation is complete.

    • Passport or Emirates ID collection for all guests
    • Identity verification and guest screening
    • Truvi verification and damage waiver processing
    • Reviewing guest profile and booking history
    • Confirming the purpose of the stay
    • Checking for potential event or party risks
    • DTCM and building management guest registration
    • Confirming guest numbers and permitted occupancy

    Guest access is not arranged until all required documents, checks and approvals have been completed.

11. 11

    Guest Communication & Stay Management

    Guest communication continues before, during and after the stay.

    • Pre-arrival instructions and document reminders
    • Building access instructions
    • Check-in coordination and meet-and-greet where required
    • Property, Wi-Fi and appliance guidance
    • Support and maintenance coordination during the stay
    • Emergency assistance
    • Checkout instructions and post-stay communication
    • Review management

    Clear guest communication reduces problems, protects the property and improves the overall guest experience.

12. 12

    Check-In & Building Registration

    Before check-in we confirm:

    • All guest documents have been received
    • DTCM registration is completed
    • Building registration is completed where required
    • Guest identity checks are approved
    • Payment has been received in cleared funds
    • Access arrangements are confirmed
    • Keys, access cards or digital access are prepared

    Some buildings require 24–48 hours' advance notice before guest access can be approved.

13. 13

    Cleaning, Laundry & Property Reset

    Every departure triggers a coordinated process: checkout inspection, professional cleaning, laundry, inventory checks, damage reporting, restocking guest essentials and preparing the property to hotel standards — all before the next arrival.

    • Checkout inspection
    • Cleaning and linen and towel change
    • Laundry coordination
    • Inventory and damage inspection
    • Maintenance reporting
    • Replacement of used or missing items
    • Restocking basic guest supplies
    • Preparing the property for the next arrival

    Any damage, maintenance issue or missing item is documented and addressed as quickly as possible.

14. 14

    Inspections & Maintenance

    Post-checkout inspections focus on the property's guest-ready condition and any issues arising from the stay. Deeper preventative maintenance — such as AC servicing, plumbing and appliance checks — is scheduled separately, not on every guest checkout.

    • Post-checkout condition inspection
    • Inventory and damage review
    • Reporting and processing any insurance or damage waiver claims arising from the stay
    • Identifying items that need cleaning, repair or replacement before the next arrival
    • Scheduled preventative maintenance (AC, plumbing, pest control, appliances) carried out separately
    • Safety equipment checks
    • Reporting owner maintenance requirements
    • Coordinating approved repairs

    Emergency repairs may need to be carried out immediately to protect the property or prevent disruption to a guest stay.

15. 15

    Owner Reporting & Payments

    As an owner, with 24/7 access through the owner portal, you'll always be fully up to date. Owners also receive regular reporting on the performance and condition of their property.

    • Booking summaries and rental income
    • Management fees
    • Cleaning and operating costs
    • Maintenance costs
    • Occupancy information and upcoming bookings
    • Property condition updates
    • Monthly owner statements
    • Owner payments in line with the agreed payment cycle

    Completed stays are normally reported following the end of the relevant month, with owner payments processed in line with the management agreement.