Home-Based holiday rental manager

Owners of cottages, condos, ski chalets or second homes who live elsewhere or don't want to deal with guests themselves.

A commission on each booking, often a percentage of rental income, sometimes with extra fees for set-up, restocking or owner-requested extras.

• Quick, friendly communication
• Organised, with good attention to detail
• Comfortable with booking platforms and online tools

• Short-term rental rules vary by municipality and province, so check whether properties need a licence or registration, or are limited to principal residences (Quebec has its own tourist accommodation rules)
• Check whether your province requires a property management or real estate licence to manage rentals for others
• Commercial general liability insurance, and check what the owner's own insurance covers for short-term guests
• GST/HST and any provincial or municipal accommodation taxes, and who collects and pays them
• Handling guest deposits and owner payouts carefully, and keeping them separate from your own money
• Seasonal demand: income may be uneven in winter or off-peak months

Estimates typically run around $500 to $3,000 CAD, depending on the tools, insurance and supplies you choose. Most of the work is online with the odd property visit, so your own setup and the properties you take on will shape the final figure.

Check whether properties need a licence or registration, or are limited to principal residences, as rules vary by municipality and province (Quebec has its own tourist accommodation rules). Also check whether your province requires a property management or real estate licence, plus insurance and GST/HST.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $600 to $3,000, depending on how many properties you manage. Demand is seasonal, so income may be uneven in winter or off-peak months. Expect at least about 10 hours a week.