Articles

A collection of articles to learn about how to do rental automation at your short term rental or Airbnb with smart home devices. Learn about the best smart home automation platforms, find out why certain smart devices are recommended, and how to get started.

Guides

UniFi: Network Setup and Configuration for Short Term Rentals

December 12, 2025

UniFi hardware and software is Rental Home Automator’s preferred choice for networking (UniFi Network), monitoring and securing (UniFi Protect), and…

Guides

Adding a Well Control Device to your Smart Home

December 2, 2025

This article’s purpose is to walk you through the steps of installing a well control device at your short-term rental…

Guides

Tips to Eliminate TV-Related Calls at Your Short-Term Rental

November 23, 2025

One of the most common trouble calls that we’ve seen over the years involves the TV service at the short-term…

Guides

Setting up Your Thermostat to Restrict Changes

November 15, 2025

One of the major problems caused by guests at short-term rentals is related to the heating/cooling system and guests making…

Advice

Best Smart Lock Technology in 2025: Why Z-Wave Still Wins

November 13, 2025

The smart-lock world is in the middle of a shake-up. Manufacturers are rapidly releasing Matter-compatible locks while phasing out the…

Airbnb Automation: Pre‑Built Recipes (Calendar‑Based Setups)

Getting Started

Airbnb Automation Recipes (Pre‑Built): Calendar‑Based Setups You Can Turn On in Minutes

November 5, 2025

If you can paste a calendar URL and flip a few switches, you can automate your rental. This guide walks…

Miscellaneous

What is the Best Smart Home Automation Protocol in 2025?

October 16, 2025

When it comes to building a smart home, selecting the right automation protocol can greatly influence the security, performance, reliability,…

Reviews

Eve Systems Review (2025): The Gold Standard for Smart Home Devices

October 1, 2025

TL;DR: Eve Systems, a German smart-home manufacturer, has quietly built one of the most forward-thinking ecosystems in the industry. Every…

Getting Started

Best Smart Home Devices for Your Airbnb (2025 Guide)

September 15, 2025

Running a short‑term rental is easier when the tech just works. This guide covers the best smart home devices for…

Reviews

Aqara Smart Home Ecosystem Review (2025): Why We Don’t Recommend It

September 9, 2025

TL;DR: Aqara makes some of the best-looking and most affordable smart-home devices on the market. But for serious automation —…

Guides

The Ultimate Guide to Short-Term Rental Automation

August 14, 2025

Summary: Short-term rental automation blends operational tools—for cleaning, pricing, messaging, and maintenance—with smart-home systems—for locks, HVAC, lighting, water, and safety—synchronized…

Smart home automation for short-term rentals and Airbnb

Automation 101

RBoy Apps RLA Replacement: The Best Alternative for SmartThings & Short-Term Rentals

July 27, 2025

If you’re looking for a reliable replacement for RBoy Apps’ Rental Lock Automator (RLA), you’re not alone. Thousands of short-term…

Didn’t find what you’re looking for?

Drop us a line and we’ll do our best to get back to you with an answer – even if we have to ask around to get it for you.

You can also click on the little chatbox in the lower right-hand corner of your screen and send us a question that way too!