Accommodation
5 simple safety tips for Airbnb hosts
So you’ve taken the plunge and embraced Airbnb as a fun way to make some spare cash. Congratulations! Now that you’re on board, however, it’s important to ensure you and your property are ready to receive guests.
Contrary to what you might have thought, Airbnb is in fact very safe. There are plenty of measures in place to keep you, your home and your guests safe and sound. Here are 5 simple steps you can take to avoid any nasty surprises.
1. Only communicate via Airbnb
Airbnb has a great messaging system to help hosts and guests get to know one another and answer any enquiries. Plus, there is a profile verification process in place to give you more peace of mind when communicating with a potential guest. If ever you have a bad gut feeling about someone, it’s perfectly fine not to accept their reservation.
2. Complete your home rules, manual and safety card
Avoid any potential nightmares by writing a comprehensive list of house rules as well as a house manual, so guests will know what to expect. If there’s a part of the house you’d rather keep off-limits or any information you’d like the guest to know (such as Wi-Fi password or even garbage removal days), pop it in the manual. Also be sure to fill out a safety card in the “Home Safety” tab of your listing, including any important emergency contacts, fire escapes and other essential information.
3. Get insured
Airbnb offers users its own Host Protection Insurance program, which provides hosts with up to $1,000,000 in liability coverage should any of your property be damaged or a guest injured. Click here to find out more. It may be a good idea to talk to your insurer too, as they may be able to add renter’s or homeowner’s insurance to your plan.
4. Set guest requirements
To ensure that you never feel unsafe with your guests, Airbnb has a feature which allows only serious prospective guests to book your property. This could include only allowing people with verified profiles or adding a security deposit, should any accidental damage occur to your home.
5. Do your research
Every Airbnb host should do their research before committing to sharing their property. Click here to read up on Airbnb’s Responsible Hosting guide.
If you’re interested in learning more about hosting on Airbnb, click here.
Related links:
How I use Airbnb to make money in retirement
Why hosting on Airbnb is great for ladies over-60 to earn extra money
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