Stay & Play Myrtle Beach: What Vacation Rental Programs Offer Owners

Stay & Play Myrtle Beach combines short-term rental income with property management services

Stay & Play Myrtle Beach is a vacation rental program that handles the day-to-day work of renting out residential properties to tourists. The program manages guest communication, cleaning, maintenance scheduling, and payment collection. Property owners receive a share of the rental income after the program takes its cut for labor and overhead. The arrangement works best for owners who want rental income but do not want to handle guest turnover, damage claims, or the seasonal nature of beach tourism themselves.

The program operates in the Myrtle Beach area, where short-term rentals are legal in most neighborhoods but subject to local licensing and zoning rules. Stay & Play handles those permits and compliance matters as part of its service. Owners should understand that joining means giving up direct control over pricing, guest selection, and booking calendar—the program sets rates based on market demand and manages the schedule.

Key Takeaways

• Stay & Play Myrtle Beach manages the entire rental operation, from guest booking through cleaning and maintenance, so owners do not handle day-to-day tasks.
• The program takes a percentage of rental income in exchange for these services, and owners receive the remainder as their share.
• Stay & Play handles local licensing, zoning compliance, and permits required to legally rent short-term in Myrtle Beach.
• Owners lose control over pricing and booking decisions but gain predictable income and reduced liability exposure.
• The program works best for owners who live out of state, do not want to manage guest issues, or prefer passive income over active rental management.

How Stay & Play handles guest management and property turnover

Stay & Play screens guests, collects payment upfront, and handles all communication before, during, and after each stay. The program lists the property on its own booking platform and major vacation rental sites, so owners do not need to maintain separate listings or respond to inquiries. Guests book through Stay & Play's system, which means the program controls the calendar and can block dates for maintenance or owner use.

Between guests, Stay & Play arranges professional cleaning, linen changes, and inspections. The program also coordinates repairs and maintenance—if a guest reports a broken appliance or plumbing issue, Stay & Play dispatches a contractor and handles payment. This turnover management is one of the main reasons owners join, because managing cleaners and contractors on a weekly or twice-weekly schedule is time-intensive and requires local knowledge.

Damage claims and guest disputes are handled by Stay & Play's team rather than by the owner directly. If a guest leaves the property damaged, the program investigates, documents the damage, and pursues recovery through the security deposit or payment processor. Owners are insulated from the conflict but also have limited say in how disputes are resolved.

Revenue split and what owners actually receive

Stay & Play takes a percentage of each booking's nightly rate, and owners receive the remainder. The exact percentage varies depending on the service tier and the property's location within Myrtle Beach. Properties in high-demand areas near the beach or downtown typically command higher nightly rates, which means higher absolute income for owners even after the program's cut.

Owners should ask Stay & Play for a detailed breakdown of what is deducted before calculating their take-home. Beyond the program's percentage, owners may be responsible for property taxes, homeowners insurance, and any mortgage payments on the property. Some owners also purchase additional liability coverage specifically for rental properties. These costs reduce the net income, so comparing the gross rental rate to the owner's actual expenses is essential before signing an agreement.

Payment to owners typically occurs monthly, after the program collects from guests and deducts its fees and any damage claims. Owners receive a statement showing each booking, the nightly rate, the program's fee, and the owner's share. This transparency makes it easier to track income for tax purposes.

Local licensing, permits, and zoning requirements in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach requires short-term rental properties to hold a Short-Term Rental License issued by the city. The license confirms that the property meets safety codes, has proper zoning designation, and complies with occupancy limits. Stay & Play typically handles the application and renewal on behalf of the owner, though the owner remains legally responsible for holding the license.

Zoning rules in Myrtle Beach vary by neighborhood. Some residential areas allow short-term rentals; others restrict them to owner-occupied properties or prohibit them entirely. Stay & Play should confirm zoning compliance before listing a property, but owners are responsible for verifying this themselves—especially if the property is in a homeowners association with its own rental restrictions. Many HOAs require written approval before renting short-term, and some prohibit it altogether.

Property taxes may be assessed differently for rental properties than for primary residences in South Carolina. Owners should consult a tax professional or the Horry County Assessor's Office to understand how short-term rental income affects their tax classification and obligations. Stay & Play does not provide tax advice, so this is the owner's responsibility.

Insurance and liability considerations for rental properties

A standard homeowners insurance policy typically does not cover liability from short-term rental activity. Owners need a short-term rental rider or a separate landlord insurance policy that covers guest injuries, property damage, and loss of income if the property becomes uninhabitable. Stay & Play may require proof of appropriate coverage before listing the property.

Even with insurance, owners remain liable for injuries or damage that occur on the property. A guest injured in a fall or a fire that spreads to a neighboring unit could result in a lawsuit against the owner. Liability coverage protects against these costs, but it does not eliminate the owner's legal exposure. Owners should review their insurance policy with an agent who understands short-term rental properties in South Carolina.

Stay & Play may carry general liability coverage for the business as a whole, but this does not replace the owner's individual property insurance. Owners should ask Stay & Play what coverage the program carries and what gaps remain the owner's responsibility.

Comparing Stay & Play to self-management and other rental programs

Owners who manage rentals independently keep a larger percentage of income but handle all guest communication, cleaning coordination, damage claims, and compliance themselves. Self-management works for owners with time, local presence, and tolerance for guest issues. It also requires maintaining separate insurance, managing multiple contractors, and staying current on Myrtle Beach's licensing rules.

Other vacation rental platforms like Airbnb and VRBO allow owners to list and manage properties directly, taking a smaller commission per booking but offering no property management services. Owners using these platforms handle cleaning, maintenance, and guest disputes themselves. Some owners use a hybrid approach: listing on multiple platforms but hiring a local property manager to handle turnover and maintenance.

Stay & Play's value proposition is convenience and predictability. Owners trade income percentage for the elimination of day-to-day management tasks. For owners living outside Myrtle Beach or those with multiple properties, this trade-off often makes financial sense even if the percentage is higher than self-management would cost.

What to ask Stay & Play before signing an agreement

Before committing to Stay & Play, owners should request a written service agreement that specifies the program's percentage, what services are included, how often owners receive payment, and what happens if the owner wants to exit the program. The agreement should also clarify who is responsible for property taxes, insurance, and major repairs.

Ask Stay & Play for references from current property owners—not just testimonials on the website, but contact information for owners willing to discuss their actual experience. Ask those owners about payment consistency, how quickly repairs are handled, and whether the program's percentage has changed since they joined.

Confirm that Stay & Play will handle all licensing and permitting and ask for a timeline for getting the property licensed and listed. Ask whether the program guarantees a minimum occupancy rate or if income varies seasonally. Understand the cancellation policy: if an owner wants to stop using the program, how much notice is required and what happens to bookings already on the calendar.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to live in Myrtle Beach to use Stay & Play?

No. Stay & Play is designed for owners who live out of state or out of town. The program handles all on-site tasks—guest check-in, cleaning, maintenance—so owners do not need to be present. This is one of the main reasons owners choose a managed program instead of self-managing.

What happens if a guest damages the property?

Stay & Play documents the damage, photographs it, and pursues recovery through the guest's security deposit or payment processor. The program deducts damage costs before paying the owner's share. Owners should ask Stay & Play how long damage claims typically take to resolve and whether owners can dispute the program's damage assessment.

Can I block dates when I want to use the property myself?

Yes, but this reduces annual income. Stay & Play can block dates for owner use, but the program needs advance notice. Owners should clarify the policy on blocked dates and whether the program charges a fee for holding dates unavailable to guests.

What if I want to stop renting through Stay & Play?

The service agreement specifies how much notice is required and what happens to existing bookings. Some programs require 30 to 60 days' notice. Owners should understand the exit terms before signing, especially if they think they might want to self-manage or switch programs later.

How does Stay & Play's income compare to renting long-term?

Short-term rental income is typically higher per month than long-term rental income, but it is also seasonal in Myrtle Beach—summer and holiday weeks generate more bookings than winter months. Long-term rentals provide stable, predictable income year-round but at a lower monthly rate. Owners should calculate average annual income under both models before deciding.