Is my property too noisy?

[Jack417]

Hi everyone,

I'm really new to this and haven't even listed my property yet mainly due to one major concern. I have a lovely basement flat in the centre of major UK city (Manchester) with a bustling music/nighlife scene. Its in an old converted cotton mill full of character and even has a small private courtyard which is a great selling point. I've refurbed it completly so its a great,modern space for guests but... is next door to a night club!!  Now the club only operates on Friday/Saturday nights and I'm considering blocking bookings over the weekend. This will significantly impact my earning potential of course but save me from bad reviews which could mess up my rating before ive even started. Another option is to specifiy in the listing to expect some noise over the weekend. It is slap bang in the city centre after all which also has the good points of great bars, resturants, ammenities etc.. The noise isn't loud but its a dull, constant base from the club. I've stayed myself and it is noticeable, however with ear plugs and after a night on the town its not so bad. Can anyone please offer advice on how to get started.

Thank you

[Susan151]

@Jack417 I think the trick to being successful in the AirBNB business is being brutally honest about what you offer. This includes the good and the challenging, like your nightclub noise. For me, there is that hill. A huge hill. And the fact that you must take a bus to get to the subway. So, write your narrative in a way that attracts "your" people. Your voice in the listing will decide who selects the "book" button. Thinking about this, who you want to be in your space, and writing the narrative thoughtfully should mean you do well.

After all, no one that I know who calls Manchester "home" wouldn't think being close to a club and restaurants is a bad thing.

[Kath9]

@Jack417, blocking off weekends is one option. However, if you do want to offer weekends, make the noise issue VERY CLEAR in the first section of your listing and then reiterate the information in a message to guests who request to book. Have them confirm with you that they have read and understood this. Advise them to bring (or provide) earplugs. If they leave a poor review based on this, you can leave a public response saying that the guests understood this when they booked. 

I recommend blocking off weekends initially to get your review rating up, then consider offering weekends down the track. Best of luck with it!

[Marie82]

@Jack417  don't worry about the noise during the weekend but u will mostly attract young guests, which is not a bad thing if they are not party animals. And if basement even better. 

Good luck 

[Anne1036]

I have nothing new to add just to agree with all the good advice of previous posters. Block weekends initially til you get a number of positive reviews. Then when you do start adding weekends be brutally honest about the noise and leave complimentary ear plugs for your guests.

Alternatively create two listings for your space one for the weekend nights and a second for the other five nights.

Whatever you decide do 'go for it' hosting on airbnb is very rewarding in lots of ways.

The very best of luck with your new venture. 

[Julie143]

You should mention it several places in your listing. Some guests really need to be hit with a hammer over and over before they grasp things.

You might even include it in the title.  

“Basement flat in bustling nightlife neighborhood.”

Include a photo of the night club in your listing. Many guests don’t read but do look at the pictures.

Provide ear plugs for guests. My personal favorite are Mac’s brand, the silicone ones.

[Jack417]

Thank you everyone for your advice, it’s very helpful. I agree and think it’s a good idea to block weekend bookings to start and then be absolutely clear when the time comes that weekends can be noisy. 

[David6]

I would just start as you mean to go on @Jack417 

manchester has a vibrant scene and I’d set a late checkout of at least 12 noon and attract the LGBT crowd, the clubbers, those visiting for gigs-  and they will be out until the club probably closes anyway.

Maybe chat with the club and see if they will offer your guests reduced entry or a free drink. Find a good after club venue or great early breakfast place and set up some deals with them for your guests to get a discount. Just be a specialist in this market. Make it all work for you. This will result in great reviews.  

In opening line of your listing mention the club. 

And set a high deposit so you are covered for any accidental damage. Make sure you take picture before each set of guests arrive,  and then Airbnb are more likely to support any claim.

 Totally ban parties and no visitors , only booked guests. Set up camera on the exterior door to monitor and test it all for a month or two and see how it goes . Good luck 

[Jack417]

Thank you. Yeah it’s a stones throw from the gay village so probably will have a large LGBT crowd making bookings. Absolutely no parties though and it is a worry of mine, targeting only clubbers as I don’t want to give people the impression it’s a party pad. I’m only marketing it for two people so hopefully it will only attract couples and put off guests considering having a party. 

[Ange2]

@Jack417    Seems a shame to block off the weekends, people may only be coming for the club scene at the weekends so you would lose business.  Just make it clear and be upfront about it and your rules. I always reiterate important things like this in my personal messages to guests and ask them to confirm that they understand, because however precise you are in description and images many people do not read and do not even look at the photos.  Another plus to that method is that there is a trail on your message board that Airbnb has access to should the guest complain and demand a refund.  Always best to have your own back in this game.

[Emilia42]

@Jack417

If you set up your listing to attract a certain type of guest, you will more times than not, get that guest. I read on here once about a young woman who lived in a very historic home which was beautiful decorated with antiques. She talked about the history of the house and the surrounding area in her listing. Yet she was getting frustrated by all the "old couples" that were booking her spare room. Use the club to your advantage. Attract people who are going to be at the club and the convenience of a very short walk “home.” Decorate with loud colors and bright lights, etc. etc. A guest will usually know if they place is for them or not based on the style in the photos.

As other hosts have said, definitely mention the noise in your listing and again in a direct message to the guest once they book. But set the vibe to attract the type of guest who will not mind the noise.

[Greg488]

I love manchester  i used to go quite a lot  but  the only thing that bothered me  was people in the hall way going passed my door  . Gangs of girls on a hen night in the corridors type of thing i recently have joined air bnb  and I've had a very mixed bag of people  . I found    that if it the right price and people know exactly what to expect  you won't have a problem. I think a friday night out in manchester back to a comphy clean room  a bit of a lyein up up go for brunch bit of shopping back for a nap coz ur  a bit wrecked . Then up out for dinner  second night out get a littl sleep back home have all say sunday to recover  eating junk on the couch with a mate . Sounds ike the perfect weekend  to me lol. 

[Linda108]

@Jack417  Good for you to be aware of the unique characteristics of your potential listing.  I agree with much that has already been posted.  I do recommend you consider investing in a white noise machine.  Not too expensive but does provide a constant level of background noise that the guest can use to block the club noise.  I have one and it works very well.

[Sandra126]

@Jack417, you have some excellent advice here. I am going to add something which way be odd, wrong even. But anyway. How about making TWO listings: One which is available ONLY on weekends and has ALL the right trigger words. And one which is available ONLY midweek and will be worded to attract a totally different audience. The reviews you will get will only reflect on that time of week, noone is going to read ''noisy'' and get put off booking the quiet weekday listing.

I think it will be hard to have a listing which is so different depending on the day, and demands too much of the guest as they don't read. You will get confused people asking about the noise on a Monday.