business bookings and extended stays

[Teena3]

I'm still pretty new with airbnb. I've already had 3 instances where people want to stay for several months.  Right now my limit is set at 2 weeks. In at least one case the person wanted a discount so they didn't have to pay the full price for 6 months if I agreed to it.

One recent potential booker wanted to book for an employee who worked for their business. so the person staying would not be the person booking.

Question 1. Am I smart or stupid to have a two week limit?  I set it at that based on another person I know who is running an airbnb. Otherwise they may end up living there.

Question 2. When someone wants to book for 3-6 months it costs them upfront to reserve that far in advance and make sure their dates are blocked. Asking my full price may not be the answer because it costs quite a bit to pay the daily rates on a monthly basis. Woud air bnb ever consider coming up with a mothly rate option?

Question 3. Will airbnb ever come up with an option for employers who want to book for their employees?  If I knowingly accept them under these conditions then I am in violation of airbnbn policy.

I feel like I am losing money because I am turning away long term stay ops and people booking for business.

The only option I can think of for employers wanting to book for employees is telling them to have their employee book with their own personal card and then suggest the employer immediately reimburse the employees for those expenses.

[Steve143]

Hello @Teena3,

I also have a 2 week max stay setting. Even though I have in the past, and will next year, rent for 3 months to exchange and post graduate students who are in Ireland for just one term I want to keep the rentals Airbnb as a short term rental experience. When I rent to students it's through the university accommodation department so I and the student have backup from them if there are any issues.

I never accept third party bookings. For one thing it makes a mockery of the review process as the person staying couldn't directly leave a review and I couldn't leave a review on their profile. Airnmn would not support me or the guest if there were issues.

When someone wants to book for 28 days or more only the payment for the first 28 days is taken at the time of booking. you get that when they check in. they're then charged and you paid monthly thereafter.

See the articles below for information on long term reservations.

How do I pay for my long term reservation?

How are long-term reservation payouts processed?

There is a process where businesses can register and specify an authorised reservation booker.

Your listing will also have to qualify for the business travel scheme.

See the articles below for information on the business travel ready scheme.

What is Aribnb for business?

What makes a listing business travel ready?

Click on "Help" and then type "business" to see more articles on ths topic.

Outside of this scheme the only way to handle third party business bookings is, as you say, to suggest that the person books with their own card and claims from their employer.

Steve.

[Teena3]

Thanks for all the helpful info. I did read those articles. So, if I understand correctly, in order for someone to book an employee stay for their business, their business will have to be set up through Airbnb for business.  However, even if they have an account set up through airbnb business, I can't host them unless I am set up as travel ready.  Looks like I won't qualify because I have pets on the premises.

[Helga0]

Hi @Teena3,

there is a monthly rate and always was. You set a monthly discount, fi 30 %, that leaves you with a monthly rate of 70 % of the daily rate. 

The question how much discount you set is up to you. You have two guest rooms sharing the bathroom, but not your bathroom? So you should be prepared to handle a situation, where one guestis messy and the other is not. You won’t want to clean up several times a day for six months, so you need to make up your mind in advance, how you would react to this. A grumpy person on the breakfast table for several months is another question. 

And you have to check local legislation, when the long term guest acquires tenancy rights. 

For the business guests, you may accept them, if they book via a business account. You can call airbnb to ask if it’s one and you are covered. If the company books, guests are usually careful of their reputation. 

[Teena3]

Thank you this is extremely helpful

[Teena3]

Thanks Helga. Very helpful

[Helga0]

you are welcome @Teena3. 

There is an exception to no-third-party bookings. Business accounts are globally set up to serve for third parties and airbnb may confirm, that you can go ahead with a booking, if it's disclosed in advance and if there is no time to set up an account for the new member or other reasons. 

I had another case recently, a request by an aid organisation for a refugee for some administrative tasks in the capital. They found me over the airbnb platform open homes, because I had listed my space in an emergency situation. They checked if the organisation had a business account, which it did, and said Go Ahead. (The stay fell through in the end, but it was comforting to know, that host guaranty would apply)