Tips for hosts with kids

[Michelle3881]

Hello! I’m a newer host. We have young kids and are renting our basement out as an air bnb. I was wondering what tips other families have when hosting and sharing your space when you have younger kids at home as well? Our basement is private and access to the space is separate from our home. I’m wondering about how to manage noise, and guest expectations? 

[Selam10]

In my listing I specifically listed no smoking in any kind inside the house , no party, and after 10:00 pm it is quite time. And recently I  added no arguments or fighting or cursing with your partner while staying. The wall is thin and the voice travels through it. I recently added no adult (sexual activity or sounds in living room) please use the bedroom closed and in discrete  manner.  
And I do not allow less than 5 days of stay. This avoids guests for short stay and allow to have mature or professional guests that will respect your place.
I hope this will help you.

Thank you

[Michelle3881]

@Selam10 This is helpful! Thanks! What about sound from your kids? Do you mention noise they should expect from your end? How do you address that? 

[Timothy502]

Yes I am a parent with toddlers. But we live in a completely separate building from the one that we are Airbnbing out our apartment at.

4 things can be done if I were in Michelle’s shoes:

1) When putting up pictures of the space on the app, I would have my kids be in them as models. It adds some degree of cuteness to those who don’t mind kids. Those who aren’t thrilled with kids, will just skip and browse another listing. 

2) In all the descriptions and spaces where you can write information, always make it a point to mention “the kids” and clearly describe the fact that the place being Airbnbed is a private space but shared within the same premises as the my wife, kids and myself so some “little human and parenting sounds” are to be expected”. This once again, will send those who don’t want anything to do with kids looking for another listing.

3) As a routine, I always call all my guests once they’ve confirmed a booking with me just to intro myself and ask them a couple of questions. During which, I will inform them about kids and relating sounds. This is their last chance to back out of the booking which if they decide to do so, I will give a full refund.

4) I would try to insulate the Airbnb room with as much sound proofing that I can, such as adding thicker curtains, changing the windows and adding this thing under the door which prevents air and sound from getting in or going out. Yes it’s a cost, but the better and faster I do this, the more guests I can have book my place because the kids and parenting sounds won’t matter. I will do my best to not stinge but just pay for quality things once and for all as a long term investment which will eventually pay me back.

Bonus Tip: I would have my kids join me in welcoming the guests when they come over. If possible, make a very small “welcome card” and print it out to leave in the room. The card is of course written by the kids. Just a simple 1 or 2 liner will do. If the kids can’t write, that’s fine cause I’ll do it myself, sign off as them and have them put a sticker or 2 of theirs in the card.

Once you’ve met someone in person, and with such a personal touch, it’s going to be kind of hard to get upset with them.

Hope these ideas help and all the best Michelle! You got this Mummy!

[Michelle3881]

@Timothy502 These are great suggestions! Thanks so much! 

[Danielle370]

We rent out 99% to multi- families with kids , lots of kids lol. We offer safety gates ( if you have stairs ) electrical socket covers,  kids utensils , night lights. I have a basket of " oops i forgot to pack " items like baby wipes , bibs , few sample packs of diaper sizes etc .   Toys In bins dedicated to the ages like toddler toys to older kid toys.  If you leave welcome baskets , can add bubbles or coloring activities etc.  In one closet I have a pop up crib , changing pad , high chair . Kid and baby items can take up alot of space when traveling so I try to provide things they may need so they don't have to worry about bringing it .  Hope some of these help . 

[Bhumika]

Hi @Danielle370 ! Did you want to post a comment? Seems like due to some error, your comment is not published fully. 

Update : No worries, I was able to find your lost comment and pasted it here for @Michelle3881 to see your helpful advice.

Thank you so much for participating in this conversation!

[John6335]

Hi @Michelle3881,

We are in exactly the same situation as you!  I have three school-age children, and we Airbnb out the finished basement directly below our living space.  Access to the space is private and separate from the home.  The builders didn't insulate between the floors, so guests can hear every footstep.  It is challenging getting my children to not stomp around when we have guests.  We'd love to carpet the upstairs to help, but that means tearing out the tile and covering the wood floors, and would also be expensive.  I'm trying to get area rugs and runners to cut the noise.  I like the suggestions others have had about mentioning kid noise in the listing and I'll have to figure out how to word it.  

I will keep an eye on your post for more suggestions!

[Kirshan0 · Accepted solution]

Hey @Michelle3881 , 

It seems like most of the host have been able to provide amazing input. I'll like to share some tips we have done as we are operating remotely and multiple units. 

1. Make sure to include in your listing that you have kids and that some sound will be heard in your listing. This is to protect you as a host from bad reviews and complaints. You can also mention in the initial booking message what they might hear or expect. This way the guest can choose to stay or cancel the reservation. We been able to manage expectation this way. 

2. Adding carpet and or insulation to help dampen the sound are really great options

3. As a host now, if want our guests not to make loud noises after certain hours, we need to make sure we're doing the same. 

4. Having kid-friendly activities, Disney Plus and other toys for the kids to play with can be great ways to help. Having photos of these items in your listing will be a great way to attach the right clients, too. 

5. If you are worried about your guest making noise and being a problem you can install a noise monitoring senor like Minut. The report and screenshot will help when your dealing with Airbnb. 

Let me know if you have anymore specific questions 

[La56]

hello,
do you provide toys for kids 
high chair, dishes for kids?
best regards. 

[Mia1090]

I would add a pre-booking message and potential for noise info.