OwnerRez

• Account Setup: The first step involves creating an account on the OwnerRez platform. This includes providing basic information about the property manager or owner and setting up billing information.

• Property Details: Users must enter details about their properties. This includes location, property type, amenities, photos, and descriptions. Accurate and detailed property listings are crucial for attracting renters.

• Integration: OwnerRez offers integration with various third-party services such as booking channels (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO), payment processors, and dynamic pricing tools. Setting up these integrations is essential for automating bookings and payments.

• Configuration of Rules and Policies: Users need to configure booking rules, cancellation policies, and house rules. This step is important to ensure that all rentals proceed smoothly and that guests are aware of their obligations.

• Testing: Before going live, it is recommended to test the system thoroughly. This includes checking the functionality of the booking system, payment processing, and the accuracy of property listings on different channels.

• Going Live: Once testing is complete and the user is satisfied with the setup, the final step is to go live. This means that the property listings will become active, and potential guests can start making reservations.

• Customization of Property Management Tools: OwnerRez offers a comprehensive suite of tools that can be customized to manage vacation rentals effectively. Users can tailor features such as booking rules, cancellation policies, and house rules to fit their specific operational needs.

• Integration Capabilities: OwnerRez supports integration with various third-party services like Airbnb, Vrbo, TripAdvisor, and more. This allows users to manage all properties through one dashboard, facilitating a more streamlined operation.

• API Access and Customization: OwnerRez provides API access that enables further customization. Users can integrate dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs to automate pricing, or connect with other software systems for enhanced functionality.

• Custom Fields and Messaging Templates: OwnerRez allows the creation of custom fields that can be used in messaging templates. This feature enables users to include specific data elements in communications, which can be tailored to meet the unique requirements of their rental business.

• Customizable Websites and Widgets: OwnerRez offers customizable websites and widgets that can be integrated into user websites. This includes options for customizing headers, footers, and other elements to maintain brand consistency and meet specific aesthetic preferences.

• Custom Reports and Data Handling: Users can generate custom reports on bookings, taxes, occupancy rates, and revenue, providing tailored insights into business performance.

• Flexible Pricing and Payment Options: The software allows for the customization of pricing strategies, including setting custom rates, creating discounts, and implementing minimum stay requirements. Additionally, it supports various payment processors, enabling users to choose the best option for their business model.

• User Experience Customization: OwnerRez is noted for its user-friendly interface, which can be customized to enhance ease of use and accessibility for property managers.

• Customizable Guest Management: The software includes a guest CRM that can store detailed information about guests, including booking history and contact details, which can be customized to include additional data points as needed.

• ProConnect Service: While OwnerRez itself does not charge a setup fee, they offer a ProConnect service, which helps users set up their OwnerRez account and configure numerous features and settings. ProConnect is not an express service and is normally completed in 3-6 weeks. This service starts at $500, covering up to 2 properties, with additional costs of $150 per property for the next 7 properties, and $100 per property for 10 properties and up.

• Premium Features: OwnerRez includes basic features in its monthly pricing but charges additional fees for premium features. These premium features include SMS Messaging, Property Management, QuickBooks Integration, Hosted Websites, WordPress Plugin + Integrated Websites, and Call Center services. The costs for these features are not specified in the provided sources but are mentioned as additional to the base price.

• SMS Messaging and Door Lock Integrations: Specific costs are associated with SMS messaging and door lock integrations. SMS messaging costs include a fee for claimed phone numbers and per outgoing message segment beyond the 500 free segments included. Door lock integrations with manufacturers like Schlage also incur a monthly per lock charg.

• Damage Protection: While not a direct cost of using the software, if you opt for Damage Protection through OwnerRez, which is resold through RentalGuardian, you will incur charges as soon as you activate this service. The pricing for this service varies depending on the coverage tier selected.

Training Options

• Webinars: OwnerRez conducts live demo webinars that provide a high-level demonstration of the software's features and menus. These webinars are designed to help new users familiarize themselves with the platform
• Setup Wizard: For those who prefer a guided approach, OwnerRez offers a Setup Wizard that intuitively leads users through the process of adding properties, setting up rates, and customizing settings for different seasons
• Video Tutorials: OwnerRez provides a variety of tutorial videos that cover specific features and tasks. These videos are beneficial for visual learners who need step-by-step guidance
• Setup Checklist: A detailed setup checklist is available to help users ensure they cover all necessary steps in setting up their account. This checklist is complemented by video tutorials for each step

Support Services

• 24/7 Support: OwnerRez offers round-the-clock support to ensure that help is always available when needed. This includes live chat and email support options.
• ProConnect and ProTransfer Services: For users who prefer a more hands-off approach during the setup phase, OwnerRez offers ProConnect and ProTransfer services. ProConnect assists with setting up and configuring new accounts, while ProTransfer helps in transferring data from previous property management systems to OwnerRez.
• Jumpstart Calls: New users can schedule a free 1-hour 1:1 Jumpstart call with a support team member. During this call, users can get personalized assistance and answers to their specific questions.
• Community Forums: OwnerRez hosts forums where users can ask questions, share experiences, and learn from other community members. This peer-to-peer support can be invaluable for solving common issues and learning best practices.
• Customer Support Team: The OwnerRez customer support team is dedicated to ensuring users have a smooth and stress-free experience. They are available to assist with account setup, platform navigation, and any other inquiries users may have.

• Encryption: OwnerRez uses 2048-bit SSL encryption to secure all data transmitted between users and the service. This level of encryption ensures that data is scrambled and unreadable to unauthorized parties as it travels over the internet.

• Data Management and Security Protocols: The platform adheres to strict data management protocols, including regular backups and secure server architectures. These measures are designed to prevent data loss and ensure data recovery in the event of an incident.

• Compliance with Privacy Standards: OwnerRez is committed to privacy and security standards, adhering to the US Safe Harbor privacy principles, which include notice, choice, onward transfer, security, data integrity, access, and enforcement. This compliance is part of their registration with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Safe Harbor program.

• Secure Hosting Environment: Both the OwnerRez platform and its integrated services are hosted in secure environments equipped with industry-standard firewalls and other advanced security technologies to prevent unauthorized access.

• Privacy Policy and GDPR Compliance: OwnerRez has a detailed privacy policy that outlines their practices regarding information collection, use, and sharing. They also comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), ensuring the protection of data for users within the European Union.

Frequency of Updates

OwnerRez does not have a fixed schedule for updates but tends to release them frequently. For instance, specific updates were noted on May 24, 2023, and there are mentions of monthly updates in user reviews

This suggests that OwnerRez aims to provide regular updates to enhance functionality and user experience.

Management of Updates

• Updates in OwnerRez are managed through an automated system that likely includes the following processes:

• Automated Deployment: Updates are rolled out automatically to all users, ensuring that everyone has access to the latest version without needing to manually download or install anything.
• Change Logs and Documentation: For each update, OwnerRez provides change logs and detailed documentation. This helps users understand what new features or fixes have been implemented and how they can affect their use of the software
• User Notifications: Users are likely notified about updates through various channels such as email, in-software notifications, or through their support portal. This ensures that users are aware of new updates and any actions they may need to take
• Feedback and Adjustments: OwnerRez appears to actively collect feedback on new updates and adjustments as necessary. This user feedback loop helps in refining features and fixing any issues that arise post-update

Data Ownership: OwnerRez acknowledges that users retain ownership of their data. The Terms of Service specify that users own all legal rights, title, and interest in and to the data they input into the OwnerRez system. This includes any information related to property management, guest interactions, and other related data entered by the user

• Pricing Based on Number of Properties: OwnerRez's pricing model is primarily based on the number of properties managed through the platform. This structure inherently allows for scalability, as costs adjust with the addition or removal of properties. For instance, the pricing starts at $40 per month for the first property, with the rate per property decreasing as more properties are added, this tiered pricing model supports both scaling up by adding more properties and scaling down by reducing the number of properties managed.

• No Fixed Contracts: OwnerRez emphasizes the absence of fixed contracts or minimum term requirements, highlighting their modern approach to service provision. This flexibility means that users are not locked into long-term commitments and can adjust their usage of OwnerRez services according to their current needs without facing penalties for changes.

• Premium Features: OwnerRez offers several premium features, such as SMS Messaging, Property Management, QuickBooks Integration, Hosted Websites, and more, which users can choose to add or remove from their plan. This a la carte approach to features allows organizations to tailor the service to their current operational requirements and adjust as those needs change.

• ProConnect Service for Setup: For users looking to scale up, OwnerRez offers the ProConnect service, which assists with setting up and configuring the OwnerRez account for a fee. This service is designed to ease the transition for users adding more properties or features to their account.

Contract Renewal

• Automatic Renewal: OwnerRez services are typically provided on a subscription basis, which automatically renews at the end of each subscription period. This means that unless a user decides to cancel their subscription, it will automatically continue without interruption.
• Subscription Changes: Users can modify their subscription level at any time. This includes scaling up by adding more properties or features or scaling down by removing properties or discontinuing premium features. Changes to the subscription will take effect at the start of the next billing cycle.

Cancellation Policy

• No Long-Term Commitments: OwnerRez does not require long-term contracts or commitments. Users can cancel their subscription at any time.
• Cancellation Process: To cancel a subscription, users typically need to go through their account settings on the OwnerRez platform. The process is straightforward, allowing users to manage their subscription directly within the software.
• Effect of Cancellation: Upon cancellation, users will have access to the service until the end of the current billing period. This means that even after cancellation, the service remains fully functional until the subscription expires.
• No Cancellation Fees: OwnerRez does not charge any fees for cancellation. Users can discontinue their service without any additional costs.
• Data Retention: After cancellation, it's important for users to export all necessary data from OwnerRez, as access to the account and its data may be restricted or terminated following the end of the subscription period.

• PCI Compliance: OwnerRez is PCI compliant, which means it adheres to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This standard requires that all companies that accept, process, store, or transmit credit card information maintain a secure environment.

• GDPR Compliance: OwnerRez is compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy in the European Union and the European Economic Area. It also addresses the transfer of personal data outside the EU and EEA areas.

• US Safe Harbor Compliance: OwnerRez adheres to the US safe harbor privacy principles of Notice, Choice, Onward Transfer, Security, Data Integrity, Access, and Enforcement. It is registered with the U.S. Department of Commerce's safe harbor program, which is designed to prevent private organizations within the EU or USA from accidentally disclosing or losing personal information.