01 SEPT 2026
UPCOMING TRENDS
GUEST ARRIVAL THE NEXT 90 DAYS
PLANNING OWNER STAYS TAX ON HOUSEKEEPING FEES
VOLUME 01 OWNERS EDITION
CON T E NTS TRENDS 04 UPCOMING Guest Arrival the next 90 days
05 PLANNING AN OWNER STAY? ON HOUSEKEEPING 06 TAX FEES
07 SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING UP CLEANS 08 TOUCH & SERVICES
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REMINDERS
WELCOME BACK TO THE COMFORT COLLECTIVE A DEDICATED GUIDE FOR SOUTHERN COMFORT CABIN RENTALS OWNERS
As we look toward a new season in North Georgia, this month’s Owners Issue is all about the little things that help us care for your home, support strong guest experiences, and keep our entire collection moving forward. Inside, we’re answering a few questions that have come our way recently—from planning owner stays and understanding housekeeping-related charges to touch-up visits during gaps in occupancy. We’re also sharing a few simple ways you can help strengthen the visibility of our cabin collection and a quick reminder to make sure your contact information is up to date. As always, we’re grateful for your partnership and for the trust you place in our team to care for your home. We hope you find this month’s updates helpful as we head into one of the most beautiful times of year in the North Georgia mountains. Warmly, Amber Henderson Assistant General Manager
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UPCOMING TRENDS OCCUPANCY IN THE NEXT 90 DAYS
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See how the next 90 days benchmark against last year — spot the trends, plan ahead, and make the most of every opportunity the season brings.
GUEST ARRIVAL THE NEXT 90 DAYS - BENCHMARKED TO 2025
GUEST ARRIVAL THE NEXT 14 DAYS
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PLANNING AN OWNER STAY? THE EARLIER, THE BETTER There’s nothing quite like slipping away to your own cabin for a few quiet days in the mountains. Whether you’re hoping to enjoy a fall weekend, spend the holidays in North Georgia, or simply squeeze in an impromptu getaway, we always want to help make your owner stays possible. As our cabins continue to welcome guests throughout the year, however, last-minute owner stays can sometimes be difficult to accommodate. Once a guest has a confirmed reservation, we will always honor that booking and cannot cancel or relocate the guest to make the cabin available for an owner stay.
That’s why we encourage you to reserve your personal stays as far in advance as possible, especially for weekends, holidays, fall leaf season, summer dates, and other popular times of year. The sooner your dates are blocked, the better chance you’ll have of enjoying the cabin exactly when you’d like. Not sure of your plans just yet? If there are dates you’re strongly considering, it’s worth looking ahead before the calendar begins to fill. A little advance planning can make all the difference—and means that when it’s time for your own stay, your cabin will be waiting for you.
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TAX ON HOUSEKEEPING FEES We know taxes and fees can sometimes raise questions when reviewing your owner statement. Here are a few helpful answers about how sales tax applies to housekeeping fees and why we’re required to collect it.
Q: Why is sales tax charged on housekeeping fees?
A: Under Georgia law, mandatory fees associated with a short-term accommodation are generally considered part of the taxable sales price. Because housekeeping is a required fee associated with each stay, applicable sales tax must be collected on that charge.
Q: Does this apply to housekeeping fees for both guest and owner stays?
A: Yes. When a housekeeping fee is charged, the applicable sales tax must also be collected. This applies to housekeeping associated with rental guest stays as well as housekeeping charged when an owner stays in their cabin. The requirement is based on the housekeeping charge itself—not on whether the person staying in the cabin is a guest or the homeowner.
Q: Does Southern Comfort keep the sales tax collected on housekeeping? A: No. Sales tax collected on housekeeping fees is not additional revenue for our company. We collect the required tax and remit it to the appropriate taxing authorities. This includes the Georgia Department of Revenue as well as applicable local jurisdictions, such as Fannin County, the City of Blue Ridge, and others depending on the location of the property. 6 THE COMFORT COLLECTIVE
Q: Are housekeeping fees the only additional charges that can be taxable?
A: No. Georgia generally considers other mandatory charges associated with a shortterm rental part of the taxable sales price as well. Depending on the circumstances, this can include reservation fees, pet fees, extra-guest charges, and certain other required fees. Our accounting team stays on top of these requirements and handles the collection and remittance of applicable taxes on your behalf—one more behind-the-scenes responsibility that helps keep your vacation rental operating properly and in compliance.
SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING HOW YOU CAN HELP MARKET YOUR CABIN When you see us pop up in your social feed, a quick like, comment, or share can make a meaningful difference. Every interaction helps our content reach more potential guests and introduces more travelers to the Blue Ridge experience. While every post may not feature your individual cabin, the added visibility strengthens the entire collection. The more people who discover our brand, the more opportunities there are for guests to explore our cabins, fall in love with North Georgia, and book a stay. Think of it as a rising tide: a little social support helps expand our reach—and that benefits every cabin in the collection, including yours.
IS YOUR MAILING ADDRESS CORRECT? With tax season and the holidays ahead, now is a great time to make sure we have your correct physical mailing address on file. From important tax documents to a little holiday cheer, we want to be sure everything reaches the right doorstep. If you’ve moved or your mailing information has changed, please email us your updated address at ownerrelations@ southerncomfortcabinrentals.com so we can keep our records current.
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TOUCH UP CLEANS & SERVICES When a cabin is cleaned after a departure, it may seem reasonable to expect it to stay that way until the next guest arrives. But as anyone who owns a mountain home knows, a house doesn’t have to be occupied for things to change. Dust settles. Pollen finds its way inside. A few determined mountain insects make themselves at home. Leaves and debris collect around entrances, and small maintenance issues can pop up while no one is there to notice them. That’s why, when a cabin has been sitting for more than seven days, we schedule a $45 touch-up before the next guest arrives.
More Than a Quick Clean
Although we call it a “touch-up,” the visit is about more than freshening the cabin. It’s also an opportunity to put another set of eyes on your property before a guest walks through the door. Our team returns to check the cabin, refresh anything that needs attention, and make sure the home feels ready for its next arrival. Along the way, we may spot a lightbulb that needs replacing, signs of an insect or pest issue, a minor maintenance concern, or another small detail that could affect the guest experience. When possible, simple items can be addressed during the visit. And sometimes, catching something early can prevent a guest call—or keep a small issue from becoming a larger one.
Why You May See More Than One Touch-Up in a Month
A question we occasionally hear from owners is why there may be multiple $45 touch-up charges in the same month. The reason is simple: touch-ups are based on the amount of time between stays, not on a monthly schedule.
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When reservations are close together, a touch-up may not be necessary. During quieter periods, however, a cabin can have more than one extended gap between guests. If it sits vacant for more than seven days on multiple occasions, a touch-up may be needed before each new arrival. We know those charges can be more noticeable on an owner statement during a slower month. But those quieter stretches are also when having someone regularly step inside the property can be especially worthwhile. Your cabin may not have guests in it, but it isn’t going entirely unchecked.
The Goal: A Cabin That Feels Ready
Think about the moment a guest first opens the door. They don’t know whether the cabin was cleaned yesterday or two weeks ago—and ideally, they shouldn’t be able to tell. What they notice is whether the home feels fresh, cared for, and ready for them. That first impression matters. It sets the tone for the stay and can ultimately influence the review a guest leaves when the weekend is over. Just as important, touch-ups give us another opportunity to keep an eye on your investment during the stretches when it might otherwise be sitting unattended. The $45 touch-up is a small but important part of maintaining that standard: another visit, another set of eyes, and another opportunity to make sure your cabin is cared for and ready to welcome its next guests.
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REMINDERS IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
CHRISTMAS DECOR STARTS NOW The holiday season may feel a long way off, but now is the perfect time to start planning for one of our busiest—and most magical—times of the year. If you’re planning to decorate your cabin for Christmas, we’d love to know! Whether you already have a decorating plan in place or would like assistance coordinating holiday décor, please complete the form linked below. Holiday décor can make a difference when guests are choosing where to stay. Our reservation team receives calls from guests specifically asking whether a cabin will be decorated for Christmas before they book. Being able to answer that question promptly could mean the difference between a guest choosing your cabin or continuing their search. Sharing your plans with us early helps our team answer those inquiries with confidence, coordinate schedules, and ensure your cabin is ready to welcome holiday guests with all the warmth and charm of the season. Christmas Decor
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YOUR WORDS ON YOUR LISTING - OWNER QUOTE SUBMISSION We're adding owner quotes to property listing pages on our website. A short, personal note from you about your cabin that gives guests a sense of the person behind the property. It's one of the most genuine things we can put in front of someone who's deciding where to book, and we'd love to include yours. The form takes about two minutes. A few prompts are included to get you started, things like what you love doing when you're in town, or what you want guests to feel when they walk through the door. Once completed we will update your listing as soon as possible.
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KEYLESS ENTRY UPDATES A quick follow-up from the April issue: our keyless entry update is still rolling out in stages across the portfolio. If you visit your property and find that your previous door code is no longer active, your updated default code is the last four digits of the phone number we have on file for your account. If your code is still working as expected, no action is needed. If you’d prefer a different code, or if you have any questions about where things stand with your specific property, reach out directly to Owner Relations at ownerrelations@ southerncomfortcabinrentals.com.
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