Managing Your Rental During the COVID-19 Crisis

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As you well know, the corona virus has significantly impacted the travel and tourism industry. Our WeNeedaVacation team is doing everything we can to provide you, our homeowners, with as much information and guidance as possible, while still allowing YOU to make your own decisions.

New questions arise each day as the situation evolves. Our goal is to provide resources and options for you to consider as you adapt to these new circumstances.

Below are links directing you to specific topics of interest, as well as helpful online resources. We update this page regularly with pertinent news items.

Latest News

July 28, 2021 – Wellfleet voted yesterday to join Provincetown in re-instituting a face mask protocol:

Masks are required in all public buildings where social distancing cannot be maintained.
All visitors entering public buildings are required to wear a mask.
It is recommend that businesses require masking indoors, including customers and employees.

May 17, 2021 – Gov. Charlie Baker and his office announced today that all remaining COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted effective May 29.

All industry specific restrictions will be lifted, and capacity will increase to 100% for all industries. The gathering limit will be rescinded. All industries will be encouraged to follow CDC guidance for cleaning and hygiene protocols.

Gov. Baker will also end the State of Emergency on June 15.

The Commonwealth currently leads the nation in vaccinating residents, with 75% of adults having received at least one dose.

April 27, 2021 – Gov. Baker announced the latest updates to the MA COVID-19 Restrictions, starting with April 30, when face mask requirements are relaxed considerably. The plan is to reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries effective May 10th and then allow for further reopening on May 29th and August 1st. View details in the full Announcement.

April 21, 2021 – As of Monday, March 22, the MA Travel Order has been replaced with a Travel Advisory. The MA Travel Form and lower-risk states map are no longer in effect. Read the full MA Travel Advisory.

April 6, 2021 – The US CDC has updated its guidance for cleaning and disinfecting facilities and homes to prevent the spread of Covid-19. According to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the science has shown that people can get infected via contaminated surfaces, but the risk is low. Regular cleaning of these surfaces with soap or detergent works, and disinfection is not necessary. Indoor disinfecting is only necessary if there has been a suspected or confirmed case of COVID within 24 hours. In most cases, fogging, fumigation and electrostatic spraying is not recommended as a primary method of disinfection, and actually carries several safety risks.

March 11, 2021 – The Massachusetts travel order has been updated to include those who have been vaccinated for COVID-19. They now do not need to obtain a negative test prior to traveling to Mass., nor do they need to quarantine after their arrival. For full details, go to the Mass Travel Form section about Designated Exceptions to the Travel Order.

February 27, 2021 – Mass. advances to Step 2 of Phase III on March 1, and Phase IV is planned to start March 22. For the full COVID-19 Update from the Baker-Polito Administration, read more.

September 22, 2020 – Gov. Baker recently announced that the deadline for making lodging tax payments for the 2020 season has again been postponed, this time until May 20, 2021. Read more.

August 28, 2020 – Massachusetts has added four states — Colorado, Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia — to its list of low-risk states that do not require travelers to fill out a form, undergo testing or quarantine.

August 4, 2020 – Effective Friday, August 7, Rhode Island is no longer listed as a lower-risk state. Thus, any guests from Rhode Island due in your home starting Friday, August 7, are subject to the restrictions in the recent Travel Order, and homeowners must notify their guests of the Order.

July 24, 2020 – Hoping to keep the coronavirus pandemic from flaring up again in Massachusetts, Governor Charlie Baker on Friday announced strict new travel rules that all people entering the state must comply with. The new travel order goes into effect Aug. 1 and applies to all travelers entering the state, including both out-of-state residents and Massachusetts residents returning home, the governor’s office said.

Under the order, everyone coming to the state must fill out a “Massachusetts Travel Form” and quarantine for 14 days unless they are coming from a state where the coronavirus risk is lower, or they can produce a negative coronavirus test result administered no more than 72 hours prior to arriving in Massachusetts, the governor’s office said.

Individuals who do not comply with their obligation to quarantine are subject to a $500 fine per day.

You do not need to quarantine for 14 days if you took a test for COVID-19 and have received a negative result. The specimen for the test must have been collected no longer than 72 hours before your arrival in Massachusetts, and the testing must be by a method approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Upon request, you must be able to demonstrate proof of the negative test result.

Travelers are exempt from this requirement if they are coming from a state that has been designated as a lower-risk state or fall into another narrow exemption category. Based on current public health data, those lower risk states will include: New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire and Hawaii, the governor’s office said.

Read our Travel Order FAQs .

June 30, 2020 – Gov. Baker today announced that, beginning July 1, 2020, travelers from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New York, and New Jersey arriving in Massachusetts are exempt from the directive to self-quarantine for 14 days. All other travelers arriving to Massachusetts, however – including Massachusetts residents returning home – are instructed to self-quarantine for 14 days.

June 20, 2020 – The Mass. Department of Revenue has announced that the deadline for remitting room occupancy for the period beginning February 1, 2020 through July 31, 2020, has been extended to September 20, 2020. Read more.

June 6, 2020 – As expected, Gov. Baker today announced that Phase 2 of the Mass. Re-opening Plan will start on Monday, June 8. View the full Mass.gov Update. Part of Step 1 of Phase 2 is the re-opening of lodging, including short-term rentals. View our post about some of the mandatory and recommended guidelines for short-term rentals set forth by the state.

View previous updates

May 29, 2020: Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced this afternoon a preview of the mandatory safety standards, recommended best practices, and a checklist for operators of lodgings, including short-term rentals. View the Preview. Depending on the results of health data between now and June 6, Baker will announce when Phase 2 will begin.

Out-of-state guests are still urged to quarantine for 14 days, but they are still not required to do so. Homeowners of short-term rentals will be required to comply with certain cleaning and other safety requirements.

May 18, 2020: Gov. Baker’s 4-Phase Plan to re-open the Mass. economy was announced today, and each phase will last at least 3 weeks. As of now, Lodging, including short-term rentals, is included in Phase 2 and may include some restrictions. Pending positive public health data trends, Phase 2 will begin Monday, June 8th at the earliest.

A Restaurant & Hospitality workgroup convened May 15 to develop procedures for re-opening, so it is expected that further guidance and clarification will be forthcoming. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

Long-term rentals, of 32+ days are still permitted, and out-of-state visitors are still urged to quarantine for 14 days.

For more details on the announcement, view Mass.gov Four-Phase Approach.

To attend our next Zoom Homeowner Meeting on Wednesday, May 20 at 2 PM, please Register here. (If you registered for the first one, you’re all set and will receive a Zoom invite on Tuesday.)

Due to the high volume of calls and emails, we ask you to please trust that whatever information we have is, and will continue to be, posted here on this page.

5/14/2020: We invite you to attend our second Virtual Homeowner Meeting on Wednesday, May 20 at 2:00 PM EST! Join us via Zoom as WeNeedaVacation team members discuss the latest developments and ideas for managing rentals during this unprecedented time. The simple registration is open to anyone: Register here. If you registered for the first one, you’re all set and will receive a Zoom invite the day before this one.

5/11/20: Gov. Baker announced that the Massachusetts economy will be reopened beginning Monday, May 18, using a four-phase approach that’s based on public health guidance. “Businesses and activities with a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission will open in earlier phases. Public health metrics will determine when the first phase of reopening begins, as well as when it is safe to move into later phases. If public health metrics worsen, the state may need to return to an earlier phase.” Vacation rentals have not yet been addressed, but more specifics are expected within the week. View video of his latest update.

5/1/2020: According to a new Cape Cod Times article, a local Cape and Islands legislative delegation has been created in conjunction with the region’s hospitals and chambers of commerce. Their recently-issued Guidance to Cape & Islands Seasonal Community essentially echoes Gov. Baker’s announcement of the extension of the stay-at-home order until May 18. But it also urges all who are planning to relocate or travel to Cape Cod or the Islands to take certain precautionary measures for their own health as well as of the local community. Note: Like Gov. Baker’s ban, there are currently no local or state-wide restrictions on short-term vacation rentals after May 18.

4/28/2020: In his recent press briefing, Gov. Charlie Baker announced the extension of the stay-at-home order until May 18. He stated, “We have plateaued, but we’ve stayed at a very high level with respect to hospitalizations around COVID-19.” He has also created a Reopening Advisory Board, headed by Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito, with the goal of reopening the economy in phases. No mention was made of short term rentals, although we assume that the ban on short-term rentals is extended until May 18 as well.

4/21/2020: Gov. Charlie Baker announced today that all Massachusetts public and private schools will remain closed through the end of the school year due to the coronavirus outbreak. “This is like the third or fourth quarter and we are holding our own here,” he said. “Don’t let the virus win the game. Play it all the way to the end.”

It’s highly likely that cancelling schools in MA for the remainder of the school year might result in an increase in families looking to rent a home on the Cape or Islands this spring rather than waiting until the summer. Keep in mind that the current ban on short-term rentals (31 days or fewer) only applies until May 4, although there is a strong likelihood that it could be extended further.

4/13/2020: Many of you have recently received the email notice sent by the MA DOR to all registered rental homeowners about Gov. Baker’s ban on short-term rentals. The language in the email is quite vague and has caused many to believe that short-term rentals have been banned throughout the summer, which simply is not true. As quoted in the actual Document, “This Order … shall remain in effect until May 4, 2020 unless further extended.”

4/1/2020: We are recommending that homeowners provide a full refund for any non-essential stays during the short-term rental ban, which currently runs until May 4^th. Cancellation policies for any bookings for stays AFTER May 4^thare at the homeowner’s discretion, but we urge you to relax your policy as much as possible.

3/31/2020: In order to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, MA Gov. Charlie Baker extended the state’s closure of physical workplaces and facilities of non-essential businesses through May 4. Those facilities should be used only in a direct effort to fight against the coronavirus, such as housing for front-line health care workers, residents otherwise displaced by the virus, or to house essential workers.

Governor Baker said, “Hotels and Airbnbs can no longer be booked for vacation or leisure purposes. People should really be using common sense on this one, and should not be going on vacation right now.”

While the governor did not specifically mention those people who are coming into MA from out of state to shelter from the virus, he did emphasize the other day that anyone coming from another state must self-quarantine immediately for 14 days.

3/27/2020: MA Governor Charlie Baker’s latest announcement that anyone coming into the state (from anywhere, not just NYC) must self-quarantine for 14 days. This would apply to vacation rental homeowners who are renting their homes out now. Read more

Managing Your Rental

Find tips and guidance on managing your rental in light of these new circumstances:

Resources

Cleaning and Turnovers

Cleaning Checklist: (In English) PDF File or Word Doc
Cleaning Checklist: (In Spanish) Word Doc
Cleaners Log: (In English) PDF File or Word Doc
Cleaners Log: (In Spanish) Word Doc
Visitor Log: PDF file or Word Doc
CDC Cleaning and Disinfection for Households: Read more

Communications

Checking in with your booked guests Download template
Informing your out-of-state guests about the new Travel Order: Download Template

Sample Lease

Sample leases: Read more (login required)

COVID-19 Information

CDC Information on Coronavirus: Read more
MA Information on the Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019: Read more
Stop the Spread of Germs (CDC): View PDF
More Printables from CDC: View more

Vacationer Information

Vacationing Responsibly: Read more
What to Expect at Local Beaches: Read more
Beach Guidelines Read more
Printable Beach Safety Rules (Cape Cod Reopening Task Force): Download PDF
Getting back to the Cape & Islands RESPONSIBLY: View video
What’s Open, What’s Closed on Martha’s Vineyard: Read more
Open Food & Dining Options on Nantucket: Read more
Face Mask graphic Download pdf

18 Comments

Jackie Ashe says:

07/30/2020 at 12:43 pm

Do you have any idea why http://www.hometogo.com doesn’t use the picture of our home as the first picture? They seem to be pulling in the second picture of a given listing.
Gord Collins says:

06/20/2020 at 2:06 pm

Thanks Debbie, it’s a helpful post and comments too. They never say specifically what the danger is in people vacationing in your region. The latest expert medical opinion is that the virus is passed in aerosol form through talking mostly. Few people and cough and sneeze. Looks like social distancing (10 feet) is the key prevention advice. That could be achieved, but perhaps the phase openings are all about easing people back into closer contact especially in the towns. Getting to Nantucket without exposure is a tough one. That’s the risk, not the rental unit itself
Kristen Kimball says:

06/07/2020 at 4:44 pm

Hello, in the Zoom meeting last week it was mentioned that we can find phrasing to instruct a guest who suspects they’ve contracted COVID-19 that they must leave – and cannot convalesce in my house. I cannot find this topic in the blogs – can you help? Thank you!
- Joan Talmadge says:
  
  06/09/2020 at 2:40 pm
  
  Hi, Kristen, the only language we can find that address this issue (if one of your guests should contract COVID while in your home) is this on the Mass.gov site, “In the event that a guest presents a presumptive case of COVID-19 or a positive case, the room used by that guest may only be returned to service after undergoing an enhanced sanitization protocol, in accordance with CDC guidelines.” Obviously, this guidance is geared more to rooms in hotels/motels/inns. Guests should not expect to be able to stay beyond their check-out day. If they get sick (COVID or any illness), they should either go home or, if they’re too ill to do that, they should go to the hospital.
Jacalyn says:

05/18/2020 at 2:03 pm

So based on today’s announcement from Gov Baker it sounds like Phase 1 will be in place for at least 3 weeks and then re-evaluated before deciding whether we move on to Phase 2 and a restricted opening of lodging and short-term rentals – Joan and Jeff, is that your understand too, and do you have any further insight regarding timing and what those restrictions are likely to look like for Ptown? I’ll be listening in on Wed, thanks for your help!
- Elizabeth Weedon says:
  
  05/18/2020 at 3:16 pm
  
  Yes, Jacalyn, that’s right. We’re hoping to get more information specifically about Cape and Islands short-term rentals before the end of this first phase (June 8th), but no mention was made of a date. We’ll keep you posted just as soon as we hear anything else.
  - Jacalyn says:
    
    05/18/2020 at 3:33 pm
    
    Great, thanks!
Karin Leppanen says:

05/01/2020 at 5:58 pm

Hi Joan are you interpreting the Cape Cod article and the Governor’s orders to mean that the 14d quarantine and “bring everything with you” instructions to be carried forward during the summer (ie beyond May 18?) if so that means out of state renters will be house bound. Not an appealing summer vacation option!
Thank you Karin
- Joan Talmadge says:
  
  05/05/2020 at 3:39 pm
  
  Hi, Karin, NO, the shelter-in-place ban and quarantine for out-of-state visitors is ONLY through May 18 at this point. It may be extended, but currently it’s only until then. And yes, there are a lot of unappealing realities for this season, but the key for us is to remain flexible and be prepared for whatever happens.
Donna Rau says:

04/10/2020 at 11:46 am

Thank you very much for this important information. As always, reliable and on point. I have a question about the governor’s barring vacation rentals. Is this through May 4? And if it is, under the order is booking summer rentals (July and August) before May 4 permitted?
- Joan Talmadge says:
  
  04/15/2020 at 12:29 pm
  
  Hi Donna,
  You can certainly contract with renters for occupancy in July or August. The ban at this point is for short-term rentals taking place now and up until May 4, although that date might be extended.
Jan Homans says:

04/06/2020 at 11:42 am

Hi Joan,
Love the cleaning recommendations! My cleaning company sent me a letter stating all the ways they will be upping their cleaning process, I’m forwarding, and keeping it posted in the house, to all my clients. I had not taken into consideration bedding, pillows and comforters specifically. I don’t supply sheets and towels, but do supply comforters and pillows. It’s impossible to have my cleaning people wash all the bedding on turn over days, so I guess I could have my clients bring their own, which seems to be a lot to ask to bring. I have 8 beds!!!
I’ve had one family that is fully paid for a week in August 2020, they have some health issues with a few people in their party, and wanted to defer to August 2021, which I did. My rentals start late June, and I only rent my house for 9 weeks in the summer. I’m hoping all this virus impact will be lifted somewhat by then. I believe you’re right about people wanting to get away, and a private secluded home is a safe bet!
If you want to make God laugh, tell him you have plans!!
Jan Homans
- Joan Talmadge says:
  
  04/07/2020 at 3:25 pm
  
  You’re right, Jan. It’s pretty challenging to make any plans at this point. But let’s hope that things improve early enough so that we can salvage this rental season. We’re hearing from a lot of vacationers that they are as committed as ever to get their annual fixes! And probably even more so after this worrisome time.
roselle levy says:

04/03/2020 at 8:39 am

Thank you for this vital information, Joan. Very helpful. Take care and stay well.
john topham says:

04/01/2020 at 7:51 pm

How to address this situation

Thinking about this pandemic and effect. For all of us it’s cleaning for the safety of our guests.
I’ve talked to my housekeeping and thing we’ve discussed.

Here are some thoughts to share:
• All hard surfaces must be disinfected- wood tables, chairs book cases, hardwood floors, etc.
• Soft surfaces Beds, couches, upholstered furniture, carpet somehow disinfected
• Kitchen cabinets inside and out.
• Removing plates and dishes- go to paper products
• Pots and pans- limited and all disinfected every turn over
• Towel’s and bed linens – bring your own
• No bed spreads or comforters

Check you rental insurance

Just some thoughts to share.

Please chime in.
- Joan Talmadge says:
  
  04/04/2020 at 9:59 am
  
  Thanks for your input, John. You may have seen our recent blog post about this very topic: https://blog.weneedavacation.com/cleaning-your-vacation-rental-since-the-covid-19-outbreak/
Debbie says:

04/01/2020 at 1:38 pm

Hi Joan, I’ve never reviewed a blog in the past. Is this something that will come to me automatically via FB, email or the WNAV site. Thank you. Debbie Bastien
- Joan Talmadge says:
  
  04/01/2020 at 7:20 pm
  
  Hi Debbie,
  If you go to the blog https://blog.weneedavacation.com/, you’ll notice a field in the right column where you can add your email address and then receive all of our blog posts as we publish them.

Managing your vacation rental during the COVID-19 crisis

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Managing Your Rental