Vacation Rental Management Association Launches Accredited Professional Property Management Company Program

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) announces the launch of the Accredited Professional Property Management Company (APPMC) Program, the first of its kind in the industry.

Developed by experienced vacation rental professionals, the APPMC Program aims to distinguish vacation rental companies that meet defined industry standards of excellence in their business operations. The APPMC Program complements VRMA’s existing Vacation Rental Management Certificate Program as the gold standard for doing business in the vacation rental industry.

The APPMC Program Standards address eight key areas of the short-term rental business: Accounting and Financial Management, Legal Compliance, Housekeeping and Maintenance, Human Resources and Personnel Management, General Operations and Administration, Guest Relations, Owner Services, and Marketing. The Standards define key metrics and best practices to operate a credible and reputable property management company. The APPMC designation is awarded only to those companies that achieve compliance with the standards in these areas of their business.

“The launch of the APPMC Program is an important step forward for VRMA and the vacation rental industry,” said Mike Copps, Executive Director of VRMA. “Much like our Vacation Rental Manager Certificate Program for individual property managers, the APPMC accreditation serves as a mechanism to demonstrate quality and credibility to the vacation rental community by acknowledging those that are doing business the right way. Defining this standard of professionalism in the industry is critical when attracting travelers who are new to vacation rentals and to keep them coming back.”

To be eligible for the APPMC Program, a company must be a current VRMA member in good standing, provide professional property management services, and have a current Vacation Rental Management Certificate holder on staff. Eligible companies are required to complete a comprehensive application, documenting compliance with the standards by providing a brief explanation, supplemental documentation or an attestation to the standard. The application contains samples and supplemental commentary on the standards to help guide companies in achieving accreditation.

Further, companies who successfully achieve the accreditation are provided tools and resources to market their achievement to potential owners and guests and articulate the value of working with an accredited company.

“By working with a company that has achieved APPMC accreditation, guests and property owners can feel assured that they are doing business with a short term rental company that adheres to industry best practices. Our accreditation serves to help increase consumer confidence when selecting a vacation rental company to work with. VRMA is committed to continuing to raise the bar of professionalism in the industry and the APPMC Program is another demonstration of that commitment,” said Copps.

Visit www.vrma.org/accreditation for more information about VRMA’s APPMC Program.

About the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA)

Founded in 1985, the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) is a professional trade association that represents the vacation and holiday rental property management and hospitality industries. Headquartered in the United States, membership includes professional vacation rental managers and industry suppliers in countries throughout the world. VRMA provides information and research, education and networking opportunities, promotes the value of the vacation rental experience and drives industry growth and professionalism. For more information, visit vrma.org, call [phone] or email [e-mail].