Stay on top of the latest Short-Term Rental trends

Expense leakage in Short-Term Rental property management can quietly erode profits, break trust with owners, and disrupt clean financials. From missing receipts and misallocated vendor bills to timing gaps and unreimbursed owner charges, these issues add up fast. In this guide, we unpack the full scope of financial leakage across STR workflows, introduce a practical scorecard to identify common risks, and provide a step-by-step SOP to help managers capture, categorize, and reimburse expenses accurately. Learn how to implement best practices and leverage purpose-built tools like Clearing to automate reimbursements, maintain trust accounting compliance, and prevent costly mistakes before they snowball.

Trust accounting has become an essential part of modern financial operations for Short-Term Rental property managers—especially heading into 2026. With growing regulations across U.S. states, increasing expectations from homeowners, and the need for audit-ready books, it's never been more important to understand how trust accounting works, why it matters, and how to implement it the right way. In this article, we break down everything STR managers need to know for 2026: from compliance and reporting standards to new trends in tech-enabled accounting and best-in-class tools that make trust accounting scalable and stress-free.

As the Short-Term Rental industry grows more sophisticated, so do the financial tools powering it. In this 2026 guide, we break down the top five purpose-built fintech and accounting platforms every STR property manager should know (Clearing, QBO, Ramp, Column, and Mercury). Whether you're scaling your portfolio, optimizing your workflows, or planning for cleaner books this year, this stack will help you automate trust accounting, streamline spending, and stay audit-ready.

Falling behind on STR accounting happens - but tax season won’t wait. In this guide, we walk through how to catch up quickly if you’re behind on reconciliations, booking financials, or owner statements. Learn how to use automation tools built for Short-Term Rental managers to close out the year fast, generate accurate reports, and start the new year with clean books and peace of mind.

Year-end is one of the most stressful times for Short-Term Rental (STR) property managers... especially when it comes to preparing clean, reconciled owner statements. Owners expect clear answers around income, expenses, taxes, and deposits, and any mismatch between your statements, books, and trust account balances can lead to time-consuming questions and eroded trust. This guide walks you through how to generate year-end owner statements that actually tie out (statements that match your accounting system, trust account, and transaction records down to the last dollar).

Short‑Term Rental businesses face unique financial challenges that traditional accountants do not always understand. This article explains why STR property managers should work with accountants and bookkeepers who specialize in the industry if working with a service provider, how trust accounting differs from operational accounting and how purpose built tools like Clearing support accurate, compliant STR financial management.

Trust accounting isn’t just a compliance requirement, it’s a competitive advantage for Short-Term Rental property managers. This article breaks down how trust accounting builds homeowner confidence, enables better financial reporting, and becomes a key value-add when pitching to new clients. Learn how to position trust accounting as a benefit, not a burden.

As year-end approaches, Short-Term Rental property managers practicing trust accounting face critical financial workflows that must be wrapped up cleanly. This article outlines the key steps to take now, before December, to close your books accurately, stay compliant, and set up a smooth start to the new year. From reconciliations and liability cleanups to audit readiness and owner communication, this guide helps you finish strong.

Switching PMS platforms or fintech tools doesn’t have to disrupt your financial foundation. Learn why STR property managers are moving their accounting outside of the PMS—and how this shift supports faster growth, easier acquisitions, and smoother tech transitions.

As trust accounting requirements grow stricter across the U.S., virtual and physical cards are emerging as a powerful compliance tool for Short-Term Rental property managers. This article explores how fintech card solutions help managers track reimbursable expenses, enforce fund segregation, and streamline trust accounting workflows in regulated states like North Carolina.

Airbnb’s 15.5% host fee & other changes — an accounting challenge. Learn how Clearing helps property managers adapt with clarity and control.

Thinking about switching from cohosting to trust accounting? This guide explains the key differences, benefits, and best practices for Short-Term Rental property managers looking to transition. Learn how to navigate owner concerns, understand state trust accounting laws, and phase into a scalable financial model that supports both compliance and growth.

Cohosting has become a popular model in the Short-Term Rental industry, allowing individuals to manage properties without needing a broker's license in certain states. This article explores the evolution of cohosting, the unique financial responsibilities it introduces—like invoicing owners for management fees, reimbursements, and markups—and why dedicated financial tools are essential. We'll also break down the monthly financial workflow for cohosts and show how platforms like Clearing help streamline the entire process.

Financial technology is redefining how Short-Term Rental managers operate. This article explores how fintech tools—from virtual cards to automated expense tracking—are powering smarter, faster, and more scalable financial workflows in the STR industry.

Understanding the May 10, 2025 policy changes and how integrated solutions help vacation rental managers stay compliant while maximizing revenue SuiteOp and Clearing have joined forces to tackle two of the vacation-rental industry’s most pressing operational challenges: policy-safe upsell processing and seamless task fulfillment. By combining SuiteOp’s channel-aware guest portal with Clearing’s real-time trust-accounting engine, hosts gain a unified workflow that both enforces platform rules and drives efficiency behind the scenes.

Managing property-level expenses doesn’t have to be messy. In this article, we explore how AI is redefining expense management for Short-Term Rental businesses—from automatic receipt capture and categorization to syncing costs with bank transactions and owner statements. Learn how property managers are streamlining operations, improving transparency, and saving hours each month with AI-driven tools built for the unique needs of STRs.

Explore how AI is transforming trust accounting for Short-Term Rental property managers. This article breaks down the shift from manual, error-prone processes to fully automated financial workflows—including bank reconciliations, OTA payout breakdowns, owner statement generation, and trust accounting reporting. Discover how modern platforms use AI to reduce workload, increase accuracy, and ensure scalable, regulation-ready trust accounting.

Streamline Short-Term Rental expense management workflows with AI-powered categorization, automation, and integrations for accurate, scalable financial management.

Spring isn’t just for cleaning properties—it’s an ideal time to organize your Short-Term Rental financials. This guide covers trust account audits, booking and bank reconciliations, and expense tracking to help property managers stay compliant and efficient ahead of peak season. Discover how automation with Clearing simplifies trust accounting and prepares you for a smooth, profitable summer.

Discover the fundamentals of Short-Term Rental trust accounting, including compliance requirements, best practices, and the benefits of leveraging automation. Learn how trust accounting solutions simplify trust account reconciliation for vacation rental property managers.

Debunking myths about Clearing! Discover how Clearing's financial automation outperforms industry peers, and see why real solutions speak louder than marketing spin.

Discover how Clearing centralizes STR financial management! Seamless integrations, expense tracking, and real-time insights for operational excellence.

Learn how to make money in vacation rentals without owning property through strategies like Airbnb arbitrage, co-hosting, and offering unique experiences.

Learn how to report Short-Term Rental income with expert advice on our blog. Discover essential tips and guidelines for accurate reporting.

Streamline your Short-Term Rental financial reporting with expert tips on automation. Enhance efficiency and accuracy on our blog.

Uncover the secrets behind vacation rental management fees and how they can affect your bottom line. Read our blog for insights.

Streamline your Short-Term Rental process with our ultimate Short-Term Rental checklist. Ensure a seamless experience for your guests.

Stay informed on the top short term rental trends of 2024. Learn how to optimize your rental business with our comprehensive analysis.

Find the best vacation rental accounting software tools for 2024 on our blog. Elevate your property management with these top solutions.

Boost your short-term rental bookings with these proven tips & tricks. Learn how to increase short term rental bookings with the tips from our blog!

Find the best vacation rental accounting software tools for 2024 on our blog. Elevate your property management with these top solutions.

Streamline your Short-Term Rental business with these 7 automation tips. Enhance efficiency and boost bookings today.

Master the art of STR marketing with our beginner's guide. Elevate your marketing strategies with expert tips and insights.

Learn the art of STR management for maximum revenue growth. Explore our blog for expert insights on effective STR strategies.

Master accounting for short-term rentals with our simplified guide. Explore tips and tricks for managing finances effectively.

Discover the best bookkeeping software for short-term rentals. Streamline finances, manage taxes, and make informed decisions effortlessly.

Enhance your Airbnb financial success with our expert tips on Airbnb bookkeeping. Learn key strategies for managing your finances.

Discover tax tips for hosts: can you write off Airbnb expenses? Find out how to maximize your deductions in our latest blog post.

Learn how to start a vacation rental business in our latest blog post for investors looking to break into the market.

Dive into the world of Airbnb property management with our essential tips for beginners. Start maximizing your rental income today.

Master Airbnb arbitrage for rental properties with our beginner's guide. Explore tips and tricks for maximizing profits in the rental market.

New to real estate investing? Our beginner's guide covers all you need to know to start your journey in real estate investing.

Beginner's guide to property management accounting. Explore the basics and essentials of property management accounting on our blog.

Master short term rental bookkeeping with our expert guide. Streamline your finances for a successful rental business.Master short term rental bookkeeping with our expert guide. Streamline your finances for a successful rental business.

Understand the role of digital banking in property management. Explore the benefits of this innovative financial solution.

Maximize your short term rental tax deductions with our guide. Discover the top deductions to save money on your rental property.

Master property cash flow analysis with our ultimate guide. Enhance your rental property investment strategy with expert insights.

Our ultimate guide for rental property financial statements covers everything you need to know about creating, managing, and scaling the statement generation process.

Simplify Short-Term Rental automation with our easy-to-use tools. Explore our blog for tips and insights on streamlining your rental operations.

Explore the essentials of tracking rental property expenses in our latest blog. Learn how accurate record-keeping can maximize tax deductions, streamline financial management, and enhance your investment's profitability.

Discover how to effortlessly navigate the complexities of Real Estate Balance Sheets. Learn to decode assets, liabilities, and equity, enabling informed real estate decision making and strategic financial planning for both homeowners and investors.

Discover key banking strategies for long-term rental property management, enhancing financial efficiency and oversight in my operations

Learn to choose the best bank account for your rental property, enhancing financial control and ease.

Optimize bank account management with a strategic bank account structure for better financial control and clarity.

Discover the perks of a separate rental property bank account: financial clarity, asset safety, and professional management.

Uncover the secrets of effective Short-Term Rental Trust Accounting. Learn how individual accounts, fund categorization, and Clearing's tools can boost your financial transparency and trust with guests and homeowners in the vacation rental industry.

Unlock the secrets to hosting reliable guests in your Short-Term Rental property. Discover the best practices for guest screening, the role of cutting-edge technology, and the safety net of Short-Term Rental insurance.

Discover the transformative power of utilizing AI in the Short-Term Rental industry. Explore how AI is being used to provide personalized stays, revenue management, customer support, property management, risk management, and automated bookkeeping.

Explore the best practices for effective rental property oversight in the world of Short-Term Rental property management.

Using centralized software to create virtual zero-balance accounts that categorize transactions can help property managers achieve financial clarity.

Manage your Short-Term Rental trust accounting effortlessly with Clearing. Automate financial tasks, stay compliant with regulations, and enhance transparency.

Discover the full potential of Trust Accounting for your rental real estate property. Learn how trust accounting safeguards financial transactions, enhances transparency, and prevents fraud. Explore Clearing's innovative platform to enhance financial management, transparency, and compliance in real estate rentals.

Discover how technology is transforming rental property management with fintech solutions, financial management software, payment technology, and more.

Discover how Clearing can revolutionize your financial operations, automate tasks, enhance profitability, and boost your rental business’s value.

Explore the challenges property managers face in rental property bookkeeping and discover effective tools and strategies to streamline your rental property finances.

Discover how to streamline your Short-Term Rental expense management with effective tips from Clearing. Explore now to transform your expense management!

Discover how to optimize your Short-Term Rental business for long-term success. Learn how Clearing's innovative tools can enhance your Short-Term Rental business.

Tracking expenses per asset, developing a budget, and using centralized software can help property managers ensure effective Short-Term Rental expense budgeting.

Check out these tips and strategies for managing rental properties and streamlining property management operations.

Discover how Short-Term Rental property managers can optimize their operations and increase their efficiency by utilizing automation tools and innovative FinTech solutions. Learn how financial reporting, zero-balance bank accounts, and data-driven analytics can help you save time and money while maximizing revenue. Read on to explore effective strategies that can improve your Short-Term Rental management operations.

Learn how to manage expenses for your short-term rental property with these helpful tips and best practices. From tracking your income and expenses to optimizing your pricing strategy, this article will help you maximize your profitability.

Learn how zero balance trust accounts can help property managers streamline their finances and manage cash flow more efficiently for short-term rental properties.

Learn why financial management of Short-Term Rental properties is important, what metrics you should track, how to maximize your return on investment (ROI).

Struggling to manage your rental property's finances? Using accounting software can optimize your rental accounting and help streamline your business. This article explores the benefits of using cash management tools, including better financial management, logistical advantages, tax benefits, budgeting and forecasting, continuous improvement, and monitoring cash flow. With the ability to efficiently track income and expenses, you can make informed decisions and ensure that your business stays profitable and successful.

Interested in starting a Short-Term Rental business? Learn about zoning, licensing, insurance, creating an online presence, and marketing strategies to make your business successful. Find out how Clearing can help you manage your finances effectively. Read on for valuable tips and advice.

Discover the advantages of using trust accounts in real estate transactions. Learn how trust accounts enhance financial security, streamline management, and provide transparency.

Trust funds are an essential aspect of managing real estate, as they help to build trust and transparency between landlords and tenants. By understanding the different types of trust funds and how they work in real estate, property managers and landlords can ensure they are following the law and providing a safe and reliable experience for their tenants.

Having a proper trust account and accounting software like Clearing, helps you to manage your finances efficiently, automate rent collection, collect online payments, make payments for expenses, and avoid any legal issues that may arise.

Keeping up with accounting can be a daunting task for property managers. With the right accounting software, you can easily take care of all your bookkeeping needs in just a few clicks. Take the time to research and choose the best accounting software for your short-term rental business, and reap the benefits of improved financial management in no time at all!

Discover how financial technology (FinTech) can streamline your rental business operations, improve financial management, and enhance the tenant experience. Learn about the benefits of online rent collection platforms, accounting software, expense tracking apps, property management software, online banking services, real estate investment platforms, and more.

Discover the importance of trust accounting in real estate and how it ensures legal compliance, financial integrity, transparency, and accountability. Learn about the benefits of using Clearing for efficient trust accounting management.

Here are 25 of the best vacation rental forums, resources, and additional Facebook groups, that Short-Term Rental property managers should consider subscribing to in 2023.

Looking to invest in short-term rental properties in 2023? We've done the research and compiled a list of the top 10 bank accounts that can help you maximize your profits. Whether you're looking for low fees, high-interest rates, or convenient mobile banking options, these bank accounts have everything you need to manage your rental property finances with ease.

Discover the 5 best practices for financing your Short-Term Rental business to maximize profitability and minimize financial risks. Learn how to develop a financial plan, build a cash reserve, optimize revenue, track expenses, and leverage technology and automation.

Discover the compelling reasons to upgrade your bookkeeping software to a modern solution. Unlock automation, integration, advanced reporting, security, and scalability for your business. Also, follow the step-by-step guide provided in this article when migrating your data to the new solution. You'll be thankful that you did!

Discover the common mistakes property managers make on Airbnb and learn how to avoid them to create a successful and sustainable business. From guest screening to setting clear expectations, pricing strategically, and providing excellent customer service, find essential tips for maximizing your Airbnb rental's potential.

Learn how to maximize your vacation rental profitability with these five effective strategies. From optimizing your listing to streamlining operations, discover the keys to success in the short-term rental industry.

Discover seven tax benefits you shouldn't ignore if you manage short-term rentals. Reduce your tax bill and maximize your rental income with these valuable insights.

Discover practical tips for Short-Term Rental property managers to enhance owner satisfaction, improve performance, and strengthen relationships. From clear communication to revenue maximization, prioritize owner satisfaction for long-term success.

Discover how to overcome the challenges of short-term rental bookkeeping and streamline your processes effectively. Learn how to track revenue, manage expenses, comply with occupancy tax regulations, handle refunds, optimize invoicing, and more.

Discover the surprising truths about the Short-Term Rental industry. From their diverse usage to unique experiences and impact on the local economy, explore why Short-Term Rentals are gaining popularity. Learn about affordability, legal considerations, and more.

Discover the power of zero-balance accounts to streamline your financial management. Especially useful for property owners and managers, our article explores the benefits and practicalities of this financial tool that can revolutionize your approach to handling finances.

Discover the untapped potential in the Short-Term Rental industry and explore new markets that property managers can target. Learn how to maximize revenue and provide exceptional experiences for business travelers, extended-stay guests, groups, seasonal travelers, and pet owners.

Learn why Airbnb values guest reviews for trust, quality, and reputation. Includes stats, examples, and insights on negative reviews.

Master your rental property's finances with our comprehensive guide on managing bank accounts effectively. Discover best practices, the benefits of a dedicated account, and how technology can streamline your financial journey.

Boost rental profits with Clearing: monitor budget, automate accounting, generate reports. Improve data analysis, make informed investment decisions.

Clearing is a complete trust accounting and automated bookkeeping solution tailored for Short-Term Rental operators to close their books faster than ever before. Property managers use Clearing to track their cashflow from multiple sources, manage their expenses, generate owner statements and pay homeowners & vendors.

Discover the best practices for investing in short-term rental properties. Learn how to get the most out of your investment and stay compliant with laws.