Getting started with ARK Rentals is easy! We’ve streamlined the process to help you launch your property smoothly and quickly:

1. Sign Initial Documents:
   Complete and sign essential paperwork, including our Client Agreement, W-9 Form, and Direct Deposit Authorization.

2. Receive Your Welcome Kit:
   Once we have your completed forms, you’ll receive our ARK Rentals Welcome Kit, which includes preparation checklists, property setup guides, and onboarding documents.

3. Prepare Your Property:
   Complete all onboarding forms and use the provided resources to ensure your property is guest-ready. This includes tasks like setting up utilities, organizing living spaces, and addressing any necessary maintenance or repairs.

4. Schedule a Walkthrough:
   Request an in-person walkthrough with our onboarding specialist to confirm your home is ready for photos and guests. We’ll assist with final preparations—stocking consumables, coordinating cleaning services, scheduling professional photography, and identifying any special requirements or features of your home.

5. Review & Approve Your Listing:
   We’ll create a customized listing and a digital guidebook highlighting your property’s unique features. You’ll have a chance to review and approve the draft before we go live. After your approval and our final checks, we’ll publish your listing and start managing your rental operations.

6. Gain Access to Your Owner Portal:
   Once your listing is active, we’ll provide access to your personalized ARK Rentals Owner Portal, enabling you to manage availability, block dates, and monitor bookings effortlessly.

Our goal is to make your onboarding experience smooth and stress-free, helping you quickly generate income from your property.

Onboarding usually kicks off once you’ve prepared your property to meet ARK Rentals’ guest-ready standards and we’ve completed an initial walkthrough together. The entire onboarding process typically takes about 2-3 weeks.

Please keep in mind that exact timelines can vary based on factors like compliance with our guest-readiness checklist, the status of your short-term rental license, and any additional requests you may have, such as interior design services, amenity upgrades, or necessary maintenance and repairs.

Nope—we’ve got you covered! ARK Rentals handles everything, creating optimized listings on your behalf to maximize your property’s earning potential. Once we’ve crafted your custom listing, we’ll send it your way for review and approval. After your approval and our final review, your property will seamlessly integrate with our channel management system, ensuring maximum exposure across multiple booking platforms.

Yes—we coordinate all essential property services, including consumable supplies, landscaping, pool maintenance, and other upkeep needs to ensure your home stays guest-ready. Please keep in mind that while we handle organizing these services, their costs aren’t included in our management fee and will be billed directly to you on a monthly basis, as incurred.

We’ll walk you through exactly what to buy to get your home guest-ready—everything from bed linens and towels to kitchen essentials and household items. We’ll also let you know which items to skip, helping you avoid unnecessary purchases that don’t align with our standards or guest expectations.

Our goal is to keep things simple, cost-effective, and on-brand with the ARK experience.

A “guest-ready” property is fully furnished, well-decorated, and free of personal items—especially in drawers, closets, and storage areas. We strongly recommend removing anything of sentimental or high monetary value, as even the most respectful guests can cause accidental damage.

Your home should be clean, properly maintained, and fully operational. This includes having all utilities active, strong Wi-Fi installed, and all appliances in working order. If cable or streaming services are offered, they should be fully set up as well. We also recommend carpet shampooing and completing any deferred maintenance before your listing goes live.

The exterior should be tidy and seasonally maintained to create a great first impression and be photo-ready for listing shoots.

Need help with any of this? We’ve got you. ARK Rentals works closely with trusted, vetted vendors to provide cost-effective, premium services—from deep cleans and repairs to landscaping and utility setup. We’ll guide you through each step to make the process smooth and stress-free.

Absolutely. High-end finishes, stylish furniture, and thoughtful upgrades can elevate your property, attract better guests, and justify higher nightly rates. Guests notice the difference—luxury bedding, smart home tech, modern appliances, and comfortable, well-designed furniture all contribute to five-star experiences.

Plus, investing in durable, quality pieces helps cut down on long-term maintenance and replacement costs. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. ARK Rentals offers recommendations and access to trusted vendors to help you furnish and finish your space with both style and value in mind.

Guest safety is one of our highest priorities. We conduct regular property inspections to catch and address any potential safety concerns before they become issues. Every home we manage is equipped with essential safety features, including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits.

We also provide clear, easy-to-follow instructions for safe use of amenities like pools, hot tubs, fire pits, and fireplaces. In addition, we routinely verify that all properties stay compliant with local short-term rental regulations—helping to ensure peace of mind for both you and your guests.

Need help with any of these safety features? ARK Rentals works with vetted vendors to provide cost-effective, high-quality installations and compliance upgrades when needed.

Yes, we do! We partner with trusted local designers to help elevate your property’s look and feel—whether you’re furnishing from scratch or just need a few finishing touches. We also manage pet-friendly properties and can guide you through best practices to protect your home while welcoming four-legged guests.

We always assist with permitting, licensing, and compliance to ensure your property meets local requirements. However, depending on the complexity of your situation, a fee may be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

ARK Rentals maintains strict cleaning protocols to ensure every home is spotless and guest-ready. We manage professional turnover cleanings after each stay, which include full linen and towel replacements. Fresh sets are provided for every guest, and we keep backup inventory on-site to allow for fast, efficient turnovers.

Our cleaning teams are trained to meet premium hospitality standards, and we routinely inspect properties to make sure those standards are being upheld.

Yes—and in Scottsdale (and many surrounding areas), it’s not just recommended, it’s required. We’ll help you handle this step and provide proper notice to neighbors in compliance with local regulations.

To keep things smooth and respectful, ARK Rentals enforces strict guest screening, clearly communicated house rules, occupancy limits, parking guidelines, noise monitoring, and waste management protocols. We also utilize property monitoring tools to make sure your home—and the neighborhood—is always treated with care.

You can keep your security system in place, but we generally advise against using interior alarms during guest stays, as they often lead to confusion or disruptions. Instead, we recommend installing exterior security cameras and smart doorbell systems. These options provide peace of mind and visibility without impacting the guest experience.

Need help upgrading your setup? We can connect you with vetted pros to install guest-friendly, effective security solutions.

We recommend setting up mail forwarding or a temporary hold with USPS while your home is being rented, since guest stays can overlap with delivery times and we want to avoid any lost or misplaced mail.

As for trash, ARK Rentals handles all garbage and recycling management. We coordinate regular trash removal to keep your property clean, tidy, and guest-ready—no need for you to lift a finger.

We take guest satisfaction seriously—because happy guests lead to glowing reviews and stronger performance across all platforms. Our team actively manages feedback, responds to reviews, and ensures your property is consistently positioned to earn “Superhost” and “Premier Host” status, which helps drive more bookings.

Your property will be listed on top platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, along with our own ARK Rentals website, which features direct booking capabilities and a curated, guest-friendly experience. This multi-channel strategy helps boost visibility, increase occupancy, and keep your calendar full.

Our management fee covers everything you’d expect from full-service short-term rental management—professional listing creation and optimization, dynamic pricing, 24/7 guest support, calendar management, review handling, and resolution of any guest-related issues.

We aim to keep your involvement minimal so you can enjoy the passive side of your investment. That said, we believe in transparency and collaboration. We schedule monthly check-ins via video call to keep you in the loop, review performance, and discuss anything on your mind.

Maintenance? We’ve got that covered too. From quick fixes to larger repairs, we coordinate everything through trusted vendors, and always loop you in if anything outside routine service pops up.

Standard homeowner’s insurance usually doesn’t cut it when it comes to short-term rentals. We strongly recommend connecting with your insurance provider to make sure your policy covers the unique risks that come with hosting guests—things like liability, property damage, and loss of income.

If you’re not sure where to start, we’re happy to point you toward trusted insurance partners who understand the short-term rental space and can help you get the right protection in place.

We use a combination of smart technology and hands-on expertise to price your property for maximum performance. Our dynamic pricing system pulls real-time data from multiple platforms, tracks market trends, and adjusts rates daily based on demand, seasonality, local events, and booking pace.

But we don’t just rely on automation—our Revenue Management team regularly reviews your property’s performance and makes manual adjustments when needed. It’s a blend of data and strategy that helps us hit the sweet spot between occupancy and revenue.

Keep in mind: nightly rates will fluctuate depending on the time of year, day of the week, and market conditions.

All rental income is deposited into a designated trust account held with RelayFI—a modern small business bank that supports the “Profit First” approach to financial management. This setup allows us to keep your funds organized, protected, and separate from our operating accounts. RelayFI also enables same-day ACH transfers, advanced record keeping, and unlimited account creation, which we use to strategically allocate and withhold funds for things like taxes, reserves, and owner distributions.

Disbursements are sent out before the 15th of the following month. For example, revenue collected in September will be transferred to you prior to October 15th.

Along with your payment, you’ll receive a detailed monthly profit and loss (P&L) statement showing all income and itemized expenses deducted from gross revenue. It’s transparent, accurate, and built for long-term financial clarity.

Absolutely. Whether it’s a guest locked out at midnight or an owner with a last-minute question, our team is available 24/7/365 via phone, email, and all major booking platforms. We handle everything from check-in assistance and reservation changes to local recommendations, guest questions, and review responses—fast.

We maintain a 100% response rate and an average reply time of under 60 seconds, so guests and owners alike can count on quick, reliable support any time, day or night.

While we offer full-service short-term rental management, there are a few things outside our scope. We don’t coordinate or make payments on your behalf for your mortgage, insurance, property taxes, utilities, or city-required licenses and permits.

That said, we’re always here to guide you through those processes and connect you with trusted providers who can help. When it comes to permitting and compliance, we’ll assist every step of the way—you just handle any necessary tax payments directly yourself.

In Arizona, short-term rental income is subject to a Transaction Privilege Tax (TPT), which functions like a sales and lodging tax on stays under 30 days. The amount owed varies by city and county, and timely reporting and payment is required through the Arizona Department of Revenue.

For bookings made through Airbnb, TPT is automatically withheld and remitted by the platform on your behalf. However, for VRBO, direct bookings, and other platforms, the tax is not automatically handled. In those cases, it’s your responsibility to ensure the appropriate amount is withheld in trust and paid according to the reporting schedule set when your TPT license was issued.

ARK Rentals can help manage this in one of two ways: we can either withhold and remit the appropriate taxes for you directly, or distribute the funds to you alongside your gross monthly revenue—giving you full control over holding and remitting them when due. Either way, we’ll make sure you stay compliant and organized.

Guest damage is always a concern—but you’re not left unprotected. For Airbnb bookings, AirCover for Hosts provides built-in protection that includes guest identity verification, reservation screening, $3 million in host damage protection, and $1 million in liability insurance. It even includes 24/7 safety support and additional coverage for hosted experiences.

For VRBO, direct bookings, or additional peace of mind, we have trusted insurance partners who can provide supplemental damage protection tailored to your property’s needs. Just let us know—we’ll guide you toward the best-fit solution to keep your home covered from all angles.

Booking direct is always optional—but it comes with perks. While our homes are listed on top platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and Google Vacation Rentals, booking directly through our website allows you to skip the hefty service fees those platforms often charge—sometimes upwards of 20%.

With direct booking, you get the same stunning properties, seamless communication, and premium experience—just without the extra cost. We created our platform to give guests a secure, easy way to book while keeping more money in your pocket.

Yes! Many of our homes feature large private pools with optional heating available to make your stay extra comfortable—especially during the cooler months.

Our pool heating policy is simple: it’s available by request with a 3-day minimum, starting at $285. Each additional day is $95. Just give us a heads-up a few days before check-in so we can get everything dialed in and ready to go before you arrive.

Per the City of Scottsdale ordinance, quiet hours are strictly enforced from 10 PM to 7 AM. Any noise complaints or violations during this time may result in fines—and guests may be held financially responsible if law enforcement is involved.

ARK Rentals maintains a zero-tolerance policy for parties or unauthorized events. We’re here to provide a premium, relaxing experience for all guests—while being respectful of our neighbors and community standards.

Standard check-in begins at 4 PM, but when possible, we’re happy to offer complimentary early check-in at 2 PM—just let us know in advance and we’ll confirm availability.

If you’d like to arrive even earlier, we may be able to accommodate for an additional rush cleaning fee, which varies based on the date and time requested. For arrivals before 12 PM, we recommend reserving the night before to guarantee early access and ensure the home is ready when you arrive.

Check-out time is 11 AM, but if you’d like a little extra time, we may be able to accommodate a late check-out with prior approval—just reach out in advance and we’ll do our best to make it happen.

Guests remaining on the property past check-out without prior authorization may be subject to an additional fee, so be sure to coordinate with us ahead of time if you need the extra flexibility.

Our cancellation policy depends on the platform you booked through and the specific property reserved. That said, here’s a general breakdown of what to expect:

Airbnb Bookings:

• Full refund if canceled within 48 hours of booking and at least 14 days before check-in

• 50% refund if canceled more than 14 days before check-in but outside the 48-hour window

• 50% refund if canceled between 7 and 14 days before check-in

• No refund for cancellations made within 7 days of check-in

VRBO & Direct Bookings:

• 100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before check-in

• No refund for cancellations made within 60 days of check-in

Always refer to your specific reservation’s cancellation terms at the time of booking, or reach out to us directly with any questions—we’re happy to clarify before you book.

Outside vendors—such as private chefs, decorators, or event services—may be allowed, but they must be approved by ARK Rentals prior to your arrival. This helps us ensure everything runs smoothly, remains compliant with local regulations, and aligns with property guidelines.

Only the approved number of overnight guests listed on your reservation are allowed to stay at the property. Unapproved guests may result in cancellation of your stay without refund.

If your plans change or you need to adjust your guest count, just reach out to us ahead of time—we’re happy to update the reservation as long as it stays within the home’s occupancy limits.

Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to your personalized Guest Portal. Inside, you’ll find everything you need for your stay—access instructions, the house manual, check-in details, and all the key info about your reservation, all in one convenient place.

Every ARK Rentals home is thoughtfully stocked and professionally cleaned to ensure a premium guest experience from the moment you arrive. After a full deep clean, we complete a final walkthrough to make sure everything is dialed in and guest-ready.

Here’s a look at what’s included in all of our properties (and often more):

• Fully equipped kitchens with high-end appliances and cookware

• Outdoor BBQ grills (propane provided)

• Hotel-quality bed linens and plush towels (bath + pool)

• In-home washer & dryer with detergent

• Hairdryers in every bathroom

• Premium HDTVs with Cox cable

• Luxury toiletries: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and hand soap

• Private pools (heating available upon request)

• Select properties feature extras like pickleball courts and putting greens

For a full breakdown of amenities by property, visit the individual listing pages or reach out—we’re happy to help you find the perfect fit for your stay.

Absolutely. Booking directly through our website gives you access to exclusive pricing you won’t find on third-party platforms. We also send out occasional discount codes to past guests and email subscribers—so if you’ve stayed with us before or joined our list, keep an eye on your inbox for special offers and deals on your next getaway.

For Airbnb bookings, all payments are processed directly through Airbnb based on the payment method and terms you’ve arranged with them.

For VRBO and direct bookings, we accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as secure bank transfers—processed through our trusted provider, Stripe. Full payment is due at the time of booking confirmation and includes the accommodation fare, cleaning fee, taxes, and any applicable pre-arrival charges.

Need a special arrangement or payment plan? Reach out to us directly—we’re happy to explore flexible options whenever possible.

Yes—your security is a top priority for us. All direct bookings made through our website are processed via Stripe, a leading global payment provider known for its advanced encryption and fraud protection.

Your card details are never stored on our servers, and every transaction is handled through a secure, PCI-compliant system. You can book with confidence knowing your personal and payment information is fully protected.

Our standard checkout system only allows for one form of payment per reservation. That said, if you’d like to split payment between multiple cards or methods, just reach out to us in advance—we’re happy to see what we can do to accommodate your request.

For Airbnb bookings, payment timing is handled directly through Airbnb and will depend on the terms you selected at checkout.

For VRBO and direct bookings, full payment is due at the time of booking confirmation. This includes your nightly rate, cleaning fee, taxes, and any applicable pre-arrival charges. Payments are securely processed through Stripe, and a confirmation receipt will be automatically sent to your email once your payment is successfully completed.