Shortlet apartments have become a popular way for property owners in Lagos to earn from their units, whether in Lekki, Victoria Island, Ikoyi or on the Mainland. But anyone who has run a shortlet knows the work does not stop at furnishing the flat. There are enquiries to answer, dates to check, deposits to confirm, guests to verify and check-ins to coordinate, often late at night. This guide explains how to automate the repetitive parts of shortlet management so you can spend more time on guest experience and less on admin.
The hidden workload of a shortlet
A single booking can involve a surprising number of steps:
- Answering questions about price, availability and house rules.
- Checking your dates to avoid double bookings.
- Collecting a deposit to hold the reservation.
- Confirming the balance has been paid and sending a receipt.
- Sharing arrival details and confirming the guest has checked in.
- Handling check-out and thanking the guest.
Done manually through chat apps and bank alerts, each step is a chance for something to slip. Shortlet management software brings them into one flow, so nothing depends on you remembering every detail.
Create a listing with a shareable booking link
Start with a clear listing for each apartment: good photos, an honest description, amenities and house rules. With Recurrent, every shortlet listing comes with a shareable booking link. You can post it on your social media pages, add it to your Instagram bio or send it directly to a guest who has asked about availability. Instead of a long back-and-forth, the guest can see the details and request a booking themselves.
A single link also makes repeat bookings easier. Returning guests and their friends can go straight to your listing without waiting for you to reply.
Set your pricing and stay rules once
Consistent pricing builds trust and saves time. In Recurrent you set the key rules for each listing:
- Price per night, for example ₦85,000 for a one-bedroom apartment.
- Reservation deposit percentage, so guests pay part of the total to secure their dates.
- A 7-day booking discount to encourage longer stays.
- Minimum and maximum stay, so you avoid booking lengths that do not suit you.
Once these are set, guests see the same terms every time, and you no longer need to work out totals by hand for each enquiry.
Control availability and approvals
Double bookings damage a host’s reputation quickly. An availability calendar shows guests which nights are open before they request a stay, so they are not left waiting while you check your diary.
Every host also has a different comfort level about who books. Some prefer to review each request before accepting, especially for longer stays. Others want bookings confirmed instantly. Recurrent supports both: you can approve bookings manually or let them be approved automatically. You can also pair manual approval with guest identity verification, so you know who will be staying before you hand over the keys.
Let guest emails do the talking
Clear communication is a big part of a good stay. Recurrent sends guests emails at each stage of their booking:
- Reservation confirmation when a booking is made.
- Approval notice once the booking is accepted.
- Payment receipt when the deposit or balance is paid.
- Check-in message when the guest arrives.
- Check-out message at the end of the stay.
- A thank-you email after departure.
These messages go out automatically, so guests feel informed and you do not have to type the same messages over and over.
Manage check-in and check-out
Recording check-in and check-out gives you a clear history of each stay. It helps you plan cleaning between guests, follow up on any issues raised during the stay and keep tidy records for each apartment. If you work with a caretaker or property manager, add them to your team so they can handle arrivals while you keep an eye on the overall picture.
A few habits make check-ins smoother for everyone:
- Share clear directions and arrival instructions well before the check-in date.
- Agree check-in and check-out times in your house rules.
- Inspect the apartment after each check-out, before the next guest arrives.
Spend less time on admin
Running a shortlet in Lagos does not have to mean being glued to your phone. A shareable booking link, clear pricing rules, an accurate calendar and automatic guest emails remove most of the repetitive work, while you stay in control of who books. To see how it works for your apartments, explore Recurrent for shortlets or sign up and create your first listing.
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