Thinking of listing your home on Airbnb? These are the top guest red flags to watch out for
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As cost of living continues to bite, you might be thinking about renting out your home as a way to bring in some extra income this summer.
But what kinds of things should you be looking out for when it comes to vetting your guests? With this in mind, Homeprotect looked into the most common guest red flags found on Airbnb’s Community Centre forum…
#1 Requesting early/late check-out
With over 10,000 results citing concerns about early check-in and late check-out requests, guests asking for amended arrival and departure times are a hot topic for rental property owners.
They said that they viewed this as a red flag as it can indicate that the guest is trying to extend their stay without paying extra, and it can also disrupt other bookings as there needs to be enough time between bookings for homes to be cleaned and prepped for the next visitors.
#2 Guests with no reviews
Also garnering over 10,000 results on the community page, rental owners considered guests with no reviews or brand-new users to often be a concern.
Property owners confessed to sometimes turning down bookings from new users due to assumptions about their potentially unrealistic expectations, lack of history and poor previous experiences with first time users.
#3 Bad reviews
Providing 3,000 results, guests with bad reviews are an obvious red flag for most hosts, as these are a strong indicator of the condition your property may be left in.
Reviews from previous homeowners are generally a reliable source of information to assess whether hosts should accept a guest booking or not.
#4 Asking too many questions
Also with over 3,000 results, homeowners admitted to turning away guests that ask endless questions before, during, and after their stay.
This can be exhausting and time-consuming to keep up with, and many hosts have expressed that it can indicate that a guest will be problematic.
#5 Discount requests
Despite having just over 600 results on the community forum, discount-requesting guests are a major red flag for hosts and should be avoided.
Feedback suggests that asking for reduced rates can indicate that they may be demanding or may expect homeowners to fulfil additional requests.
David Joyson, Chief Customer Officer at specialist home insurer Homeprotect, discusses how you can protect your property, if you’re thinking of renting it out this summer:
Vet prospective guests
Always look at a person’s rental history if it is available and check reviews from other hosts, as this can give you a good idea of whether you want to accept or decline a booking request.
You may want to turn down requests from prospective guests with negative reviews, and any guests with no reviews or history should be treated with caution.
Hosts can require guests to state the purpose of their stay to assess how the home will potentially be used, but most importantly, homeowners should trust their instincts and turn down any bookings they feel may be a risk.
Set clear house rules
If your guests are a good fit, this is a great time to share your house rules to reduce misunderstandings later down the line. It’s sensible to include information on the use of the utilities, noise disturbances, check-in and check-out times or even responsibilities surrounding potential damage or incidents.
Make all guests aware of property rules by making them clear on your home listing and within the property itself.
All guests should confirm their awareness of these rules, which should help to reduce damage and the likelihood of the property being left unclean or untidy.
Ensure you have the right type of home insurance
The right home insurance can provide essential protection and peace of mind, and for most rental properties, it is a legal requirement.
If you’re planning to Airbnb your own home for short term rentals, be aware that your standard home insurance policy likely won’t cover you for this kind of usage – you will either need to adjust your policy with your existing provider or if that’s not possible, look at a separate specialist policy that covers you for renting your home to paying guests.
Implement appropriate security measures
While cameras cannot now be used inside properties, external cameras are permitted and can offer a way to monitor the comings and goings for your property.
Installing smart locks can also allow homeowners to change the access code for each guest and receive entry and exit logs. This also eliminates the need for physical keys which will reduce the risk of unauthorised access.
Conduct regular maintenance
Between guest stays, ensure you conduct a thorough check of your property to ensure it’s safe and in good working order for the next visitors.
Aside from the deep clean that should take place between guests, check all the utilities are working efficiently, that there aren’t any draughts coming from doors or windows, that drains aren’t blocked, no tiles are loose and all alarms are working correctly. Insurers may not accept a claim if there is evidence that a property hasn’t been properly maintained.
Regular maintenance will also ensure your property is of the best standard, and a hassle-free stay will likely put guests at ease and make them more likely to return.
Maximise security
Equip your property with the tools and technologies to make it a safe residence, to protect both your property and your guests from external threats.
It’s best to fit locks on all windows and doors, add automatic lights to entryways and turn on alarm systems to block, dissuade or catch potential burglars from entering the property at night or when empty.
Filling your welcome pack with information and advice on safety and security measures your guests should take during their stay, as well as emergency contact information, will reassure them that they are safe in your home and ensures your home is protected while they’re there.
Clear any personal valuables
Personal items such as jewellery, family heirlooms or money are best to be removed from your property before inviting guests to stay, to remove the possibility of them getting lost or broken entirely. Alternatively, consider installing a safe in the property to store any valuables.
It’s also worth being aware that whilst some home insurance policies will cover paying guests, they will often exclude theft from paying guests to keep the cost of insurance affordable.
