"Must-reads" for new hosts?

Allison2
Level 10
Traverse City, MI

"Must-reads" for new hosts?

I see the same "new host" issues come up on this board daily. What articles or tips would you put in a "Hosting 101" resource?  Does Airbnb already have such a thing? If not, could we come up with one?

 

It seems I post links to these articles at LEAST once a day:

 

Cancellation penalties

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/990/how-do-host-cancellation-penalties-work

 

Setting up Multiple-room listings

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/289/how-do-i-list-multiple-rooms

 

Host responsibilities (especially as relates to the legality of Airbnb in your area - hosts are responsible for checking on this!)

https://www.airbnb.com/help/responsible-hosting

https://www.airbnb.com/hospitality

https://www.airbnb.com/help/topic/206/hosting-standards

 

Understanding how reservation statuses work & the difference between Inquiry, Request, and Instant Book

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/363/what-does-each-reservation-status-mean

 

What else would you add?

2 Replies 2
Sandra126
Level 10
Daylesford, Australia

Keep this whole message and when a host askes one of those questions, they can have the whole set. While you are at it, how about reading these as well? kind of thing. It is excellent.

The host education and understanding of the system of new hosts is pretty low sometimes...

 

When you become a new host, what DO you get at the moment? Do you get any prompts to learn and read? I don't want to sign up as a new host so can someone enlighten me on this please? How is it that new hosts don't know about cancelling, blocked calendars, IB and other basics?

Great Idea.

 

A few things I noticed that were confusing to hosts, myself included when I first started.

 

For the cancellation penalties I would add a ***note because it says: "Cancellations disrupt guests' plans and impact confidence in the Airbnb community. Because of this, we apply the following penalties to host cancellations."

Some hosts, in fact many new hosts think that if the guest asks them to cancel, they the host will not be penalized as they are not disrupting the guests plans but actually doing them a favor because the guest will not have to forfeit the Airbnb fee and it is they the host who is being disrupted.  It's worth  a ***note  that the host is almost always penalized and the dates blocked on their calendar.  *** Airbnb site does not know the guest asked the host to cancel for them. ALWAYS ask the guest to cancel if it is their wish to do so.

 

+  Guest Refunds Policy  https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/326/do-i-have-to-refund-my-guests-when-they-make-a-complaint

Often a confusing and seemingly arbitrary issue.

 

 + Verification.  The requirements listed on Airbnb are not required some guests only supply an email and a 'handle' name. Due diligence is required when accepting a guest. And uploading a Government Issued ID to Airbnb can be requested of the guest. E-mail and Telephone are not verifications they are only confirmations that the accounts exist, not whether the person is bona fide.

https://www.airbnb.com/help/article/1170/what-are-the-requirements-to-book-on-airbnb

" Guests need to have this info completely filled out before they can make a reservation request."

  • Full name
  • Confirmed email address
  • Confirmed phone number
  • Profile photo that shows their face
  • Introductory message
  • Agreement to house rules
  • Payment information