New to Airbnb Hosting: Advice on Depersonalizing a home & Security?

[Kenzie228]

Hello! 🙂

I'm new to the Airbnb world and excited to join this community! I have a lake house in a prime spot on a popular lake. It often sits unused for long periods except during the summer, so I've decided to start renting it out as an Airbnb.

As I’ve been researching, I noticed that many of the other lake houses in my area also seem to go unused for much of the year. This got me thinking about becoming a co-host for some of those properties. However, I have some questions and would love advice from experienced hosts!

1. Depersonalizing- For these houses to be suitable for Airbnb, personal items would need to be removed. Since many owners live out of town, is this a service I could offer to handle for them? Or would it be better for them to do it themselves? If anyone has experience with this, I’d appreciate your input

2. Security - As I start co-hosting, would you recommend installing a Ring camera or similar device on every property? I want to ensure both the guests and the property are safe while respecting privacy.

I’d love to hear your advice! Thanks in advance!

Happy Hosting!   - Kenzie 

[Elisa]

Hi @Kenzie228 , 

Welcome to the community center, and thank you for bringing up those questions, they are really interesting!

Where are you hosting from? Have you already started hosting?

I am tagging experienced hosts to see what advice they can give you: @Anton7298, @Oksana127, @Jim-and-Caroline0, @Joe771, @Karen1 and @Laëtitia-Stephy0 

Thank you in advance, everyone!

Warm regards, 🌻

[Laëtitia-Stephy0]

Good morning @Kenzie228 @Kenzie228 @

welcome to Airbnb hosts. It's a very good idea to open this house to tourist accommodation. This is an asset for your territory.

The setting, at the edge of the lake, will surely be conducive to a wonderful vacation.

Indeed, by becoming a co-host you will be able to show the way and allow other families to stay in other very nice guest houses.

I note that you are considering depersonalization.

Are you also a traveler on Airbnb?

When you travel, is the soul of the house, the spirit of its owners of interest to you?

To share my experience I will admit to you that it means a lot to me. It is also very important for the travelers I welcome at home.

In their comments they talk about our decoration, our personal objects, my cookbooks, they express appreciation for my “world” and the fact that I trust them.

To summarize, several travelers clearly indicate that this is one of the attractions of Airbnb: our authenticity.

So, for my part, I will have a reserved opinion regarding the idea of ​​depersonalizing these accommodations. 

On the other hand, if the idea is to shelter certain objects (photos of their Family, jewelry, etc.), I think it is perhaps more useful to store this in a room not accessible to travelers.

Security : At home, since last year I installed a camera that films the entrance to the house, the main door.

1st advantage: It is secure for travelers and for hosts.

2nd advantage: it makes check-in and check-out easier if I'm not there.

3rd advantage: when we charge additional fees for check-ins or last check-outs, it is an indisputable control system with a parking meter.

Last advantage: if unregistered travelers show up, we have proof and we can contact the travelers and assistance to address the situation.

There you go, for all these grapes I think it's a good idea to have a camera.

I hope this sharing of experience will help you.

See you soon

Laëtitia 

[Oksana127]

Hi Kenzie,

Welcome to the Airbnb community! It’s exciting to hear about your lake house and your interest in becoming a co-host—what a fantastic opportunity, especially in such a desirable location. I’d be happy to share some insights from my hosting experience to help you get started.

Depersonalizing Homes

You’re absolutely right that depersonalizing a space is crucial for Airbnb. Guests want to feel like they’re walking into a thoughtfully designed vacation rental, not someone else’s personal space.

Offering this as a service to potential co-hosting clients is a great idea. Many out-of-town homeowners may prefer to outsource this task, especially if you can provide a clear plan and the option to safely store their items. Here are a few tips: Start with an inventory: Offer to create a list of personal items and their locations for the owner’s reference. Provide storage options: Suggest secure, weatherproof storage solutions (on-site if possible) or help arrange off-site storage. Add professional touches: Once the personal items are removed, stage the property to maximize its appeal, adding cozy, neutral décor that aligns with the lake-house vibe.

Some owners may still prefer to handle this themselves, but if you position your service as both time-saving and stress-reducing, they’ll likely appreciate your help.

Security Measures

Installing a Ring camera or similar security device is an excellent idea, both for your peace of mind and that of the property owners. However, there are a few best practices to keep in mind: Placement: Focus on exterior areas like front doors, driveways, or side entrances. Avoid placing cameras indoors or anywhere that could compromise guest privacy—Airbnb strictly prohibits this. Transparency: Clearly disclose any security devices in your Airbnb listing description to maintain guest trust and comply with Airbnb’s policies. Access: Set up shared access with the property owners so they can monitor their home while you manage it.

Additionally, consider installing smart locks or keyless entry systems. They’re convenient for guests and reduce the risk of lost keys, while also allowing you to remotely manage access.

It sounds like you’re already thinking strategically about how to grow your hosting business, which is fantastic. By offering value-added services like depersonalizing and prioritizing security, you’ll position yourself as a professional and reliable co-host.

 Wishing you great success with your lake house and your co-hosting journey!

Happy Hosting!