The Surry Hills property advantage
Surry Hills properties have structural advantages that make them well suited to short-term rental:
Surry Hills is one of Sydney's most in-demand short-term rental suburbs. Guests come for the food, the culture, the walkability and the architecture: Victorian terraces and converted warehouses that have a personality no new-build apartment can replicate. For property owners, that character is a genuine commercial asset.
Cleary & Co manages properties across Surry Hills and knows this market well. We are a boutique agency with a 5-star Airbnb portfolio and a design-led approach that is particularly well suited to the kinds of properties that define the suburb. We style, list, price and manage your property so it performs at the top of the Surry Hills market.
"Krystina demonstrated her expertise in not only managing the property but also enhancing its appeal through exceptional interior styling. The attention to detail in the concept design truly transformed my space, making it a standout option for guests looking to experience the charm of Surry Hills.”
Andrew Vernik, VP Finance, Doorstead
Our Surry Hills Property Management
Service
Cleary & Co offers full-service Airbnb management for Surry Hills properties. Our service is designed to
be genuinely hands-off for owners while delivering a guest experience that earns 5-star reviews consistently.
be genuinely hands-off for owners while delivering a guest experience that earns 5-star reviews consistently.
Service
What it means for you
Interior styling and sourcing
We design and style your space to appeal to the Surry Hills guest — considered, warm and visually strong
Professional photography
Listing photos that convert browsers into bookings
Listing creation and optimisation
Platform-specific copy and settings tuned for maximum visibility and conversion
Dynamic pricing
Daily rate adjustments based on demand signals, local events and competitive positioning
Guest management
All communication, check-ins, check-outs and in-stay support
Cleaning and linen
Consistent hotel-standard presentation between every stay
Maintenance
We coordinate and oversee all repairs and upkeep
NSW STRA compliance
Registration, 180-day cap management and strata by-law navigation
Why boutique management matters in Surry Hills
Surry Hills guests are discerning. They read reviews carefully, they notice the details, and they share their experiences. A
large management operator running hundreds of properties across Sydney cannot give your Surry Hills terrace the
attention it needs to consistently earn 5-star reviews.
Cleary & Co manages a curated portfolio. Every property we take on gets the same level of attention as our flagship
listings. That is not a marketing claim — it is reflected in our reviews, our Superhost status and the fact that properties
we manage rank in the top 10% of Airbnb listings worldwide.
Optimisation Packageslarge management operator running hundreds of properties across Sydney cannot give your Surry Hills terrace the
attention it needs to consistently earn 5-star reviews.
Cleary & Co manages a curated portfolio. Every property we take on gets the same level of attention as our flagship
listings. That is not a marketing claim — it is reflected in our reviews, our Superhost status and the fact that properties
we manage rank in the top 10% of Airbnb listings worldwide.
Architectural character
Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis and converted commercial spaces are visually distinctive and photograph exceptionally well — a critical factor in Airbnb performance.
Location density
Guests can walk to Crown Street dining, Bourke Street Bakery, the Paramount precinct and the CBD. That walkability is a booking driver that no amount of management can replicate.
Flexible formats
Surry Hills has everything from compact studios to multi-bedroom terraces, meaning the market supports a wide range of owner profiles and investment strategies.
Design-forward guest expectations
Guests who choose Surry Hills over a hotel are specifically seeking an elevated, considered space. Generic presentation underperforms here. Design-led styling is not optional — it is the product.
The bottom line: a well-presented Surry Hills property, managed by people who understand the suburb, consistently outperforms both long-term rental and self-managed short-term rental.
The gap between a good listing and a great one is larger here than almost anywhere else in Sydney.
What Surry Hills owners have experienced
Want to see the detail behind results like these?
How Airbnb management works with
Cleary & Co
The process is designed to be simple for you. From the first call to your first booking, here's
exactly what happens.
exactly what happens.
2. Market appraisal
We model your projected income based on real Sydney data for your suburb, property type and current market conditions. You'll know what to expect before you commit.
4. Go live
From this point, we manage everything: guest communication, pricing, cleaning, check-ins, check-outs, maintenance and reviews. Your involvement is as much or as little as you choose.
1. Discovery call
A free 15-minute conversation to understand your property, your goals and your current situation. No obligation, no sales pressure. Book your discovery call here.
3. Property setup
Professional photography, listing creation across all platforms, NSW STRA registration and everything needed to make your property guest-ready. We handle it all.
5. Ongoing optimisation
Monthly performance reporting, regular pricing reviews and continuous listing improvement. We don't set and forget.
1. Discovery call
A free 15-minute conversation to understand your property, your goals and your current situation. No obligation, no sales pressure. Book your discovery call here.
2. Market appraisal
We model your projected income based on real Sydney data for your suburb, property type and current market conditions. You'll know what to expect before you commit.
3. Property setup
Professional photography, listing creation across all platforms, NSW STRA registration and everything needed to make your property guest-ready. We handle it all.
4. Go live
From this point, we manage everything: guest communication, pricing, cleaning, check-ins, check-outs, maintenance and reviews. Your involvement is as much or as little as you choose.
5. Ongoing optimisation
Monthly performance reporting, regular pricing reviews and continuous listing improvement. We don't set and forget.
Most properties go live within two weeks of the discovery call.
Why Surry Hills is a Strong Short-Term Rental Market
Surry Hills sits at the intersection of everything guests want from a Sydney stay. It is walkable to the CBD, the SCG, Centennial Park and some of the city's best restaurants and bars. Guests who book in Surry Hills are typically experienced travellers who know what they want and are willing to pay for it.
That translates into a market with strong year-round demand and relatively low seasonality compared to beach suburbs. Events at the SCG, the Sydney Festival, Mardi Gras and the broader inner-city events calendar all drive occupancy spikes that a well-managed property can capitalise on.
That translates into a market with strong year-round demand and relatively low seasonality compared to beach suburbs. Events at the SCG, the Sydney Festival, Mardi Gras and the broader inner-city events calendar all drive occupancy spikes that a well-managed property can capitalise on.
Not sure if we cover your suburb?
Get In TouchAirbnb rules and short-term rental
compliance in Surry Hills
NSW has a mandatory registration scheme for all short-term rental accommodation. Understanding
what applies to your property is not optional — it's a condition of listing. Here's what you need to know.
what applies to your property is not optional — it's a condition of listing. Here's what you need to know.
NSW STRA registration
All short-term rental properties in NSW must be registered with the NSW Government's Short-Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) Register. Registration costs A$65 for a new application and A$25 for renewal. Your registration number (PID-STRA) must appear on every listing.
The 180-night cap
For non-hosted properties (where the owner does not live on-site) in Greater Sydney, a 180-night annual cap applies. Cleary & Co tracks your nights against this threshold and advises you well in advance if you're approaching it.
Strata considerations
If your property is in a strata scheme, your owners corporation may have passed a by-law restricting or prohibiting short-term letting. This needs to be confirmed before you list. We can help you navigate this as part of onboarding.
We handle STRA registration and compliance as part of your onboarding — one less thing to worry about.
For the full regulatory framework, refer to the NSW Planning Portal directly.
What Surry Hills owners say
Read more owner experiences in our case studies or see how we approach guest stays.
Surry Hills Airbnb Management: Common Questions
Contact Cleary & Co about your Surry Hills property
Book a free 15-minute discovery call and we'll tell you exactly what your property could earn.
