Thanks Jorge! That video highlighted some very important aspects.
Having had some police show up to our listing.... I had a heck of a time getting even the required deposit from a couple guest stays and had to keep the pressure with AirBnb to release the funds and payout. I would highly advise others to require a deposit fee and absolutely update your RULES to include any additional charges for anything you can tactfully include. You can even include a specified fee for late check-out, washing dishes, or say $100 per day on the smoking fee. So long as you have it clearly in your rules, you will see better results in the form of a payout.
Here is I have my additional rules set up:
#1 - Please Clean Up Dishes
• If you use any dishes during your stay, we would be grateful if you would clean them. This would be of great help.
#2 - Number of Guests
• Ensure total guests matches that on your booking. If you have more guests than what you have booked for, you will not be covered under Airbnb Insurance. This is bad for everyone!
Also, Portland City mandate only allows 5 guests in any 2-bedroom short-term vacation rental. We are happy to set-up an airbed and linens upon request in the living room area. For any guest past 4, you will incur an additional $15/night fee.
#3 - Lights & Heating
• We would really appreciate if you could turn off all lights and heating when you leave the apartment each day, and on check out.
#4 – Take care not to damage property
• We hope you have a great stay and are thankful you will take care not to scratch pans, stain linens or damage furniture. If you leave stains on blankets or sheets, please let us know. There is a stain stick for laundry under the kitchen sink that you may apply, too.
#5 – No Smoking In the Property
• Feel free to visit a dispensary, however, all smoking is allowed only outside. Chong your bong or roll a spliffy, just keep it all outside. If you would like an ashtray for outside, let us know. Any smoking indoor will result in a $100 charge.
#6 - Check Out is 12pm
• Our cleaner will arrive shortly after 12pm-noon to clean the property. We can’t stop her, she is a cleaning machine.
#7 - Leaving a very dirty apt or damages at check out
Excessive cleaning and damage will incur fees only as necessary. We have standard extensive cleaning done between each and every guest. If you check out and leave it really messy, that means our maid needs to be compensated for extra work at a livable wage. This rarely happens and we hate to pass the fees onto you and will only do so if absolutely necessary. Extra cleaning fees beyond our standard start at $50/hour.
#8 - We love animals, however, no pets are allowed.
As stated above, our apartment is a pet-free site. Any guest who brings an animal into the stay will incur a fee of $75/animal per day. Fido makes for an amazing best friend, but not in an apt with shag style soft carpeting!
#9 - Local laws
Local city ordinances require us to keep all guest names for any booking.
Cheers fellow Hosts - this is a good topic.
Kristine