1st time host

[Vanessa-T-0]

Hi- 1st time host! Should I have my house cleaned before and after each visit? My house isn't amess but I want it to look its best. I'm just thinking if I do both thats the cost I charge per night. I wont be making any money. Also... what does people do with there stuff? Should I empty my closets and stuff for guest? Should I take down family pictures? 

The request is only for 1 night.. maybe I'm over thinking this. 

thx-V

[Gene8]

The home needs to cleaned constantly. Add a cleaning charge. To determine cleaning charge, look at average cost hosts in your area are charging. But yes, keep a clean home at all times.

[Diego63]

Keeping the house clean is key. Changing the sheets after EACH STAY is a must.
Definitely arrange the room so that guests have a place to hang their stuff. If you only have one closet and cannot put your stuff away somewhere else, buy a small pop-up closet with a zipper and set it up in the room. Or at least a metal garment rack on casters (look them up on Amazon. These are pretty cheap). When you do this, place a kind post-it note on your closet door stating "host's closet :)" and the other one "for your stuff to hang :)" or something like that. Whatever you do, make your guests feel at home and at ease. This will certainly guarantee a 5-star review.
Best of luck!

[Linsey0]

I charge 20 dollars for cleaning fee and just clean it myself. I would make a space in the closet for guests, but I leave things in there. I would put family photos in another room. Have fun!

[Sandra126]

Having accommodation is a great excuse for being extremely clean at all times. If you are in the habit of that, you will not panic when you get last minute requests.

[Vanessa-T-0]

Yes that is very true. I'm trying to decide what to do about our bathroom cabinets and areas in the house hat has our personal stuff. It would be hard to pack it all up. 

[Elaine-and-Duane0]

Great questions Vanessa. Think about your guest and what they would expect. Yes CLEAN!!!! Hanging space,maybe also luggage rack or chest of drawers. If your space isnt clean, you wont have any guests or profit to worry about. Family pictures I think are up to you. It is your home not a hotel so personal touches are acceptable. If you are renting out a spare bedroom, clear out the closet. Happy hosting!

[Vanessa-T-0]

Thank you for response. I'll make sure they have place to hang clohes and things they need. I'm not too sure about the pictures yet. I have some on the wall that I don't want to take down. 

[C-C0]

I personally have furnished rooms but empty of my personal stuff.

[Sandra126]

I looked at your listing and there are no pictures apart from the one of the front. I recommend putting up pics of all the spaces guests have access to, also writing something about yourself in your profile. For 400 AUD per night I want to see the inside of the house.

[Vanessa-T-0]

Thank you for your suggestion. Yes I'm working on taking inside pics of the house. They are going up very soon. Thank you! 

[Rene66]

Hi everyone.

It was our first time hosting, with a whole family and relatives (about 10 of them) for a wedding weekend

party. They wanted one place where they can stay together, including the day before they prepare for the wedding,

and i was happy they felt good and comfortable in our place.

Of course, we went out of our way to make them feel better, even had fruit baskets at the dinner table each day(4 days)

even we didnt specify that as part of the inclusions.

I hope to get more of these kind of guests.

Rene T. 

[Louise378]

Hi,

Hope someone could tell me if I should be asking for ID when someone gets here.  I asked for ID on my hosting needs but should I be asking to see it when they get here? 

Also, it is a good idea to take photos before each guest to ensure the claims are paid.  Sounds like some lessons learned processes I have to keep in mind.

My guest also showed up at 12:30 today when check in wasnt until 4.  But there is no where, on the site that I can ask for additional costs for early check in.  Obviously, hotels have that yet they dont have it for AirB&B.  Seems a bit one sided for the guest of course.  Obviously, I wasnt going to make him sit outside or go away for 4 hours when he had to pay for a taxi to get here.

If there is anything else let me know.

Thanks