What have you learnt that you wish you’d known from the start?

[Stephanie]

Hello everyone,

The benefit of the experiences of the more experienced Hosts is something many new members of the Community Center gratefully explore. This can be tips on specifically property or listings types, Airbnb products and cleaning, but also can be helpful in avoiding pitfalls or costly setbacks.

The great thing about the CC is that pretty much every type of stay imaginable has been shared here, you need only search! However, I thought it would be great to have a topic where our wonderful experience Hosts share their top learnings. So, without further ado:

Share your most valuable learning from your hosting journey!

This can be good or bad, up or down, recent or old… so long as are comfortable in sharing, you can guarantee someone will benefit from your story.

Thanks,

Stephanie

[Linda3273]

@Hal3292 good suggestions on the REPEAT. Sometimes I feel like their mother's reminding them all the time so it is kinda comical. 

[Ben-and-Ronel0]

I wish i'd known about the automated responses on confirmation. I had scripted responses sitting in notepad and always had to change the names. Such a good feature and stumbled across it one day, now it's much easier!

[Esse533]

I know right! I just discovered it also, saves you a lot of time typing up responses.

[Georgios78]

In Greece we dont throw the papers in the toilet like in other Countries.
We throw them in the bin, that's an important think for Greeks to have a notice over the toilet and for the no Greeks to let know that.

In the first family i had in my house i had let, extras sheets and towels more than i thougth and free liquid for the clothe wash machine, and they used everything i had let extra. As a result we were washing sheets and towels 4 days.
Now in every bed i have one upper sheet, one down sheet, the pilow with the pilow case, one face towel and body towel. In the closet i leave only 3 or 4 sheets (use them as they want) and 4 pillow cases, two face towels and oe body. In the bath i have 4 hand towels. All these for 10 - 12 nights, someone will tell very few things or i have to change them, but i have them the washing machine with free liquid to use it.

[Sarah977]

@Georgios78  The no flushing of toilet paper is common in other parts of the world, too. Quite common here in Mexico, as much of the plumbing is old and can't handle it. I can flush toilet paper in my home, as I built my house and set it up that way, but I am also on a private septic system, and it's not good for it to overload with toilet paper. So I tell guests they can flush the "dirty" paper, but the paper that women use when they just pee, or paper just used for nose blowing, etc. should go in the basket.

It isn't just guests that need educating about how things work in other countries, but hosts, too. I've seen posts from hosts who think their foreign guests are being unhygienic and disgusting by throwing the used toilet paper in the basket. They had no idea that you can't just flush paper everywhere and that their guests were actually being responsible about not clogging up the plumbing.

[Lauren2956]

We've been hosting for just over three months and it's been a great experience for the most part. Before we listed our place we combed over posts and articles about how to create a good listing and found that the most helpful piece of advice was to be as honest and accurate as possible. We live close to an interstate so noise is noticable. It doesn't mean that guests read the full listing but it's certainly helped stave off some negative feedback.

Beyond that @Teresa1604 said it best. A tough hide for some negative comments is a must. We do our best but it still stings when someone knocks us down because we are 10 minutes away from a gas station.

[Huma0]

1. Guests often don't read all (or sometimes any) of your listing/house rules

But I learnt that it's important to clearly state anything of importance on your listing/house rules anyway as it means you are more covered should you encounter nit-picking or problem guests who you have to report to Airbnb. 

In order to ensure more guests actually read/understand (and are therefore more likely to follow) the rules, make sure to message them making asking them to confirm that they do. Reiterate key points. It's amazing how many guests say they read the listing but have missed most basic and crucial things they could not have missed if they'd read it. I now even include a little question in the house rules that they need to answer so I know they have read them.

Meanwhile, the good guests will appreciate the information and that you have rules to keep your listing clean, safe etc.

2. It's great to make your guests feel welcome and do that little bit extra for the nice ones (who are usually the majority), whether that's helping them with a problem/advice that has nothing to do with their stay or a birthday/anniversary card and present.

However, it is not a great idea to let demanding guests walk all over you and take advantage. The saying "Give them an inch and they'll take a mile," exists for a reason. That doesn't necessarily result in a great review because often those types of guests are not appreciative anyway, no matter how much you bend over backwards for them. You should never let a guest bully or manipulate you because you fear a bad review.