10 TIPS TO BECOME A SUCCESSFUL AIRBNB HOST

10 Tips to Become a Successful Airbnb Host

10 Tips to Become a Successful Airbnb Host

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Being an Airbnb host can be a full-time job. It can take a lot of time and effort to manage a short-term rental business. But it doesn’t have to be and there are many ways to make hosting more fun and rewarding, whether it is a full-time gig or part time activity.

These Airbnb hosting tips will make your life easier, no matter if you are just getting started or looking to improve your listings. They will help you to reduce your workload and get more bookings.

1. Be respectful of local laws
This is the most important part of being a successful Airbnb host. Check your local laws and the HOA/landlord, if applicable, as well as your renters or homeowner's insurance, before you publish an Airbnb listing.

This will allow you to determine if you can be an Airbnb host, and what restrictions may apply to your behaviour. If you don't comply with local laws, it will be harder to make a profit and your property will likely attract a lower quality of guest than one that follows all local regulations.

Any such infringements of law could also mean your insurance policy does not cover you in the event of any serious damage to your property.

2. Respect your neighbours
Almost as important to your success as an Airbnb host as following the rule of law is ensuring your neighbours are 100% respected and on board with what you do. While guests are essential to the operation of your Airbnb, they also leave. Your neighbours are always there.

If your guests are responsible for excessive noise and mess, then it is you who has to re-build the relationship with your neighbours. And they will be far less forgiving with future guests when it comes to contacting you or the police if it keeps happening.

Make sure you make your guests aware of any rules that might make it easier for them (such as quiet hours) and be careful with who you accept. Airbnb is ultimately about building a community. This includes those that stay around for a long time and live next door.

3. Protect yourself
While most guests are great, there will always be bad eggs, and these types are hard to know beforehand. But there are things you can do to ensure a smooth stay for all parties.

You can avoid potential disputes with guests over damages with very clear ground rules and by taking a deposit. To protect yourself from any potential disputes over damages we also advise checking guests out in person first.

To further isolate any potential incidents and if you are particularly cautious, you may want to consider photographing the property between each stay.

4. Write your guests a review
A review works both ways and serves two purposes. You can give honest feedback to the Airbnb community about the type of ‘guest’ that stays with you and what kind of guest a specific person was. This helps them in their future dealings with other hosts. It also reminds your guest to review you too.

Reviews are the most important mark of confidence and trust for any would-be guest of the future. So, reviews matter a great deal to your ongoing bookings. Many guests are wary about booking properties without reviews.

5. Clear directions are crucial
This is super important for your long-term success as an Airbnb host when it comes to dealing with guests that change from week to week. It can reduce stress and frustration, as well as make it easy to have a positive start to every Airbnb stay. If things go wrong, it can often be difficult to regain the trust of your guests.

Don't give too many details when listing your ‘house rules’, but be very clear, concise, firm, and non-negotiable. The most effective Airbnb hosting instructions are usually around (no more) 1 page in length as they get read and have impact.

6. The little things make a big difference
While a box of chocolates, some flowers, or basics for tea and coffee might not be expensive, they can make your Airbnb guests feel right at home and welcomed. Some of the best hosts also offer transportation to the train station or local attractions (without being a glorified taxi service). Little touches like these create a wonderful experience for guests and allow you to vet guests in tactile ways too.

And whatever you do, do not skimp on toilet paper or bathroom accessories such as shampoo and shower gel. Airbnb guests will expect the basics at the very least. Do not make them buy their own. It is important to advertise that you provide essentials, and a single roll of toilet paper or half-empty travel-sized shampoo bottle are going to leave your guests very unhappy.

7. Upload lots of photos to your listing
Photos are an increasingly important part of being a good Airbnb host. They really do ‘sell’ your property. The top Airbnb listings have at least 7 to 10 photos of their listing, showing the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen, with clear information about the appliances.

Include a photo of the exterior to help your guests recognise it upon arrival. If you have a spectacular view, show it off! Photos of attractions or activities in your city on the other hand aren’t directly related to the property. It's completely unnecessary to add them and detracts from your own property being showcased.

8. Add personal touches to your property
Many Airbnb hosts rent entire homes or apartments that haven't been lived in before, and that can make them feel sterile. Make your property as relaxed and comfortable as possible. It doesn't take a lot of money to decorate a property, to cover surfaces with a few ornaments and to hang a few pictures on the wall.

Personal touches can make a big difference. Even if they aren’t to everyone's taste. They make a property feel more cosy (less generic like a hotel, more like a home) and it is easier to photograph. Photographs are what initially attract guests to a property, along with price.

9. An Airbnb room is not a hotel room
As the point above intimates, if guests want a hotel room, they will get one. A guest choosing an Airbnb is looking for a unique experience beyond what Travelodge or Marriott can offer.

Although Airbnb hosting has become more popular among commercial ventures, the core purpose of Airbnb hosting is the same: to give a local, personal experience. Airbnb prices have increased over the years to reflect its popularity. This means that a personal experience is more important than ever.

10. Keep in touch
Everybody read more has different communication needs. We suggest that you send one message 24 hours after check-in to ask how things are going and another message 24 hours before checkout to establish a departure schedule.

This gives guests the opportunity to raise any concerns about the property at the beginning of their stay. Some people may be more reserved than others, and may hesitate or not reach out to you, this gives everyone an opportunity to feel their needs are being taken care of. It also relieves guests of the obligation to arrange a check-out with you.

You can communicate with guests using whatever method suits you best, but the Airbnb app can be a great tool in case of a dispute or misunderstanding. Airbnb can access any conversation and use it to resolve any issues. Communicating directly with hosts via the Airbnb app protects all parties.

Why Frontier for Airbnb Host Insurance?
Get Peace of Mind with Frontier
Airbnb hosting can be lucrative, but it’s not without potential risks. Without the right Airbnb host insurance, you could incur serious expenses, especially if you aren’t able to repair your property in time for incoming guests. You could also incur significant legal liability and hassle if something went wrong. Frontier understands these risks and offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of Airbnb insurance for homeowners.

Airbnb Host Insurance Designed for You
At Frontier we’ve built the most flexible Airbnb host insurance on the market today. Specially designed for hosts and owners. Offering one product, Frontier allows you to design your own cover that you can adjust and manage over time. As a host you can add and integrate host insurance to your home policy. In addition to normal insurance, we cover you for anything above the deposit amount you retain – or your chosen excess – for any damage caused. We’ll also reduce your excess if it’s higher than your deposit.

With 24-hour access, you can quote online, for an instant price based on your needs and circumstance. Our policies can cover buildings, contents and personal possessions and a variety of exceptional items.

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