Florida Vacation Rental/STR Management - Is a real estate license needed?

Short-Term & Vacation Rental Discussions

Florida Vacation Rental/STR Management - Is a real estate license needed?

Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 4 votes

Hey all, starting a short-term rental management company here in Florida and haven't been able to find any concrete information around if a license is needed to manage specifically short-term and/or vacation rentals in Florida. Continuing to research but would love insight from anyone here with answers or could point me in the right direction. Thank you!

0 Reply

57 views

Most Popular Reply

Sarah KensingerPro Member

Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes

You pretty much need a real estate license or property management license to run a true all-out PM company in every state. I believe there are only 5 or 6 that have no laws as of right now. If you get into co-hosting a STR and the owner still has some responsibilities, that handles the license issues until you get a realtor's license, or just carry on with co-hosting.

[email protected]330-557-3021

1 Reply

See this reply in the discussion

13 Replies

Jump to latestLatest

Sort by

Luke CarlPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
3y
Call your local board of realtors!
Podcast Guest on Show From Surviving on $30/Day to 30+ Properties Thanks to Blue-Collar Skills
1 Reply
Alan AsriantsBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
I believe in order to manage real estate in any state for others (not including your own property) requires a broker license. Check your local board
[email protected]267-767-0111
Alan Asriants - New Century Real Estate 590 Reviews
View Page
0 Reply
Sarah KensingerPro Member
Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
You pretty much need a real estate license or property management license to run a true all-out PM company in every state. I believe there are only 5 or 6 that have no laws as of right now. If you get into co-hosting a STR and the owner still has some responsibilities, that handles the license issues until you get a realtor's license, or just carry on with co-hosting.
[email protected]330-557-3021
1 Reply
Tyler Garcia
OP
Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 4 votes
3y
Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

You pretty much need a real estate license or property management license to run a true all-out PM company in every state. I believe there are only 5 or 6 that have no laws as of right now. If you get into co-hosting a STR and the owner still has some responsibilities, that handles the license issues until you get a realtor's license, or just carry on with co-hosting.

Hi Sarah, I appreciate your input! Do you know the technical differences between a Co-host and a PM company? I of course want to go about it legally, but also strategically if the Co-hosting route has more lenience. Just not familiar the actual difference between the two options. Thank you!
0 Reply
Bob S.
Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Tyler Garcia:

Hey all, starting a short-term rental management company here in Florida and haven't been able to find any concrete information around if a license is needed to manage specifically short-term and/or vacation rentals in Florida. Continuing to research but would love insight from anyone here with answers or could point me in the right direction. Thank you!

I would say 1000% yes, as you need a RE license in all other states to do PM
0 Reply
Sarah KensingerPro Member
Real Estate Consultant · OH · Member since 2023 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Tyler Garcia:

Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

You pretty much need a real estate license or property management license to run a true all-out PM company in every state. I believe there are only 5 or 6 that have no laws as of right now. If you get into co-hosting a STR and the owner still has some responsibilities, that handles the license issues until you get a realtor's license, or just carry on with co-hosting.

Hi Sarah, I appreciate your input! Do you know the technical differences between a Co-host and a PM company? I of course want to go about it legally, but also strategically if the Co-hosting route has more lenience. Just not familiar the actual difference between the two options. Thank you!
Yes, I do! Since we have started a co-hosting company, we needed to learn as well. Mostly it's handling the income money of the STR and creating the listing, although there is debate about that depending on the state laws. If you'll give me a couple hours, I'll send you a DM.
[email protected]330-557-3021
1 Reply
Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
3y
@Tyler Garcia, call the board. Get the real answer. Co-Hosting isn't the same as full property management, but you need to call.
You aren't local to FL right? Personally I would never hire a co-host let alone one that was 3k miles away. You don't bring much to the table if you aren't right there. Unless you are charging a crazy low price. Like VA type pricing.
0 Reply
Tyler Garcia
OP
Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 4 votes
3y
Quote from @Michael Baum:

@Tyler Garcia, call the board. Get the real answer. Co-Hosting isn't the same as full property management, but you need to call.
You aren't local to FL right? Personally I would never hire a co-host let alone one that was 3k miles away. You don't bring much to the table if you aren't right there. Unless you are charging a crazy low price. Like VA type pricing.

I'm local to Florida.
0 Reply
Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
3y
Sorry @Tyler Garcia, for some reason I thought you were in CA. Damn eyeballs o' mine!
0 Reply
Vicki X.Pro Member
Investor · Member since 2022 · 186 posts · 155 votes
3y
Quote from @Tyler Garcia:

Quote from @Sarah Kensinger:

You pretty much need a real estate license or property management license to run a true all-out PM company in every state. I believe there are only 5 or 6 that have no laws as of right now. If you get into co-hosting a STR and the owner still has some responsibilities, that handles the license issues until you get a realtor's license, or just carry on with co-hosting.

Hi Sarah, I appreciate your input! Do you know the technical differences between a Co-host and a PM company? I of course want to go about it legally, but also strategically if the Co-hosting route has more lenience. Just not familiar the actual difference between the two options. Thank you!

This is not professional advice.
As many have stated, check the regulations in your State. The activities that (almost) always require a license:
- collect rents
- prepare leases or other legal documents for your clients

I think you might be able to assist your clients by offering some in-person services or managing the software without licenses. In that case, your client will self-manage, but assign some tasks to you. Maybe it's similar to the co-hosting idea.

Just a thought!
0 Reply
Tyler Garcia
OP
Investor · Tampa, FL · Member since 2020 · 20 posts · 4 votes
3y
Quote from @Michael Baum:

Sorry @Tyler Garcia, for some reason I thought you were in CA. Damn eyeballs o' mine!

I think it's cuz I updated my location after I saw your comment haha. Hadn't updated it since I got to FL a few weeks back! Lol!
1 Reply
Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
3y
Quote from @Tyler Garcia:

Quote from @Michael Baum:

Sorry @Tyler Garcia, for some reason I thought you were in CA. Damn eyeballs o' mine!

I think it's cuz I updated my location after I saw your comment haha. Hadn't updated it since I got to FL a few weeks back! Lol!
Hah! That is why. I thought it said CA. Glad I am not going nutz. :) Thanks!
0 Reply
Lucie Tighe
Property Manager · Tampa, FL · Member since 2022 · 147 posts · 66 votes
3y
I would suggest contacting the state and county departments in which you'll be operating to get specifics on licensure needed.
0 Reply

Join the conversationCreate a free account to reply, vote on answers and follow this thread.