How do I take over a motel’s property management software and booking calendar?

Begin by listing every tool the motel uses: the reservation system, any channel connections to travel sites, the payment terminal, the phone line, email and the website. For each one, find out who owns the account, whether it can be transferred, and what the contract says. Some accounts are tied to the seller personally and must be reopened in your name.

Next, protect the calendar. Future bookings are part of what you are buying, so ask for a complete export before closing and compare it with the live calendar. Plan the switch for a quiet day, and keep both systems visible for a short time so nothing slips through. Decide who contacts guests whose reservations may be affected.

Think about guest data with care. Names, contact details and payment information are sensitive. Your lawyer can advise on privacy duties when records change hands, and your payment provider can explain how card information moves safely. Finally, ask the staff how they actually use the system. Tricks, shortcuts and workarounds are rarely written down. Spend a few shifts with the seller or manager, and write down the routines before they leave. Ask for logins and passwords to be changed at handover.

Key takeaways

• List every system and who owns each account before closing.
• Export the future calendar, compare it with the live one and switch on a quiet day.
• Treat guest data as sensitive and change all passwords at handover.