New host

[Alice713]

Hi all, 

im a new host, I am away a lot at weekends so am renting my flat out when I’m not there. Is there anything I should expect / do? I’ve tidied my draws and bought a fire extinguisher.

It’s only for 6 weekends, but is there any insurance I should buy or things to specifically hide? I’m worried as all my stuff is there that they'll fine it weird, I’ve been upfront about living there and all my stuff being there. I haven’t put a cleaning fee on or deposit or per guest as it annoys me when people do that to get more cash. Have I been naïve?  

Any advise ice would be appreciated as I’m only 24 and it’s my first property so it’s my baby. 

[Mohammed134]

Hi Alice, happy to help.

I would highly suggest to keep your personal belongings somewhere safe ideally not present when guest will be coming just so there is transparency between you and the guest terms of belongings.

I would for sure maintain the apartment so it's ready and clean for guest and assuming you already stay there you would supply the daily essentials to keep a guest going. Most importantly once you get bookings make sure you communicate with new guest on house rules, check-in times and any important information that would help them.

You should review if your current insurance property cover airbnb rentals or vacation rentals, if not may be worth to request a insurance that would cover it just to be on the safe side 🙂 hope this helps! 

[Kaylee18]

@Alice713   I agree with @Mohammed134  .. make sure your belongings are somewhere safe... maybe lock them in a closet, or at least do not have them where guests can access them. The majority of airbnb guests are GREAT!! But you may experience some that are not. I would also make sure you put away any property that you do not want damaged.

I've stayed at an apartment where the person also lived there, but they locked up all their property in a large wardrobe and did not have any of it out - always better safe than sorry 🙂 

And as for the cleaning fee, etc. Just check your area to compare other similar rentals to make sure you are pricing your place properly. You don't want to underprice 🙂 

[Sarah977]

@Alice713  You absolutely should have someone to act as a co-host for you in your absence- a trusted friend or family member who is someone who can be assertive if necesssary if the guests are not respecting your place, try to throw a party, or otherwise behave badly. That person should be there to meet them when they check in, show them around the place, and check that they are actually the people who booked the place, not someone who was booked by someone else.

I've read accounts here by hosts who did the exact same thing as you are planning and burst into tears when they walked in and saw the state the guests had left their place in. Better safe than sorry.