@Lizzie, I am an on-site host like @Robin4, but block my calendar etc more like @Sarah977. This way, I get to travel, I get some income from Airbnb and I can have interstate family and friends stay as well, without creating an overcrowded environment.
Guests on site: behaviour modifications:
1. Being an elevated dwelling with jarrah floor boards, we are always conscious of sounds when walking around. We have carpeted our hallway and the bedroom directly above one of the Airbnb bedrooms, to reduce/muffle sounds.
2. We manage our shower/bathroom use upstairs to not be too late/ or too early, if guests are early to bed or night “check in” people.Same for kitchen/cooking use and clean up.
3. We rarely use our back balcony if guests are on site using their outside tiled entertainment space alongside the pool. (I sneak out to activate incense or turn on festive garden lights, but that’s it. We use the front entry stairs and balcony if needed.
4. We use a separate gate for entry into the pool area.
5. We dress more appropriately. LOL. Garry throws a T-shirt on if moving around the garden or cleaning the pool. Same issue @Robin4. He doesn’t want to be considered loitering... or creepy. (never!) I brush the hair and throw more than a sarong on if putting washing on my clothesline (we have 2: one for us, one for guests.)
6. The downstairs laundry is kept very tidy and minimalist when we have guests. But since we have had prying guests in the past, we now have a combination lock on the sliding door from the laundry into the general storage space. This fridge (food and alcohol), tools and appliances and clothesline’s are strictly our space; unless invited) Family all know the combination for the lock so no issues. We occasionally allow camping travellers to hook up their car fridges etc etc to stay charged, or store bikes etc.
7. Talking of locks, our personal living space is keyed completely separate from the Airbnb space.
8. For added privacy and protection, we also have separated the WiFi system, passwords etc for Airbnb homestay and our family/friends.
9. We have two separated driveways for vehicles.
10. We have in situ, some wheeled mobile fencing to close areas to contain our dog when guests are on site, if needed. Not everyone loves dogs! It keeps her safe as well. She can’t get onto the homestay driveway or escape if a gate is left open, by accident. We also monitor when guests have contact with her.
Calendar Notes:
But for me, I manage this balance for privacy by having a blocked calendar by default. Then I open dates about three months ahead at a time, once I’m more aware of “what’s happening in my life!”
I add “information” into Calendar NOTES, without fail.
Besides my electronic personal calendar, I add public holidays, local events and festivals, family information well in advance, including school holidays, so I can never open up dates in a whim, when I have family coming, or babysitting grandchildren for the weekend, “above” the homestay space. This also allows me the opportunity to plan and factor in maintenance and renovations.
This has meant, luckily, I have never had to cancel a booking.... touch wood!
Settings:
As my space is quite large, I no longer allow same day or back to back turnaround bookings. It’s just too hard for me to clean appropriately. Not to mention, it can change my guest demographic. I factor in busy times in my employment and I will further block/skip dates for the sanity balance.
When no guests on site:
WE can be as loud as we want, wear what we want, and move as freely around the property through any door, driveway, gate or stairway and this plus the calendar settings reduce stress during busy months. We also use both driveways....