Since its establishment in 2008, Airbnb has democratised the short-stay accommodation sector, granting everyday homeowners unprecedented access. This platform has witnessed remarkable expansion, catalysing a surge in both individual hosts and Airbnb property managers. As guests seek alternatives to traditional hotels, Airbnb has empowered homeowners with spare rooms, property investors, and holiday home owners to augment their property income beyond what long-term rentals could offer. Not only does Airbnb afford owners the flexibility to utilise their homes at their convenience, but it also fosters the creation of positive cash flow streams.
How do you know if your property is ready for Airbnb? Let me explain.
Well maintained property (including pest treatment)
When an Airbnb manager looks at the property for short term rental they want to know, has it been well maintained? The aesthetic is important. Having a clean, tidy and well-maintained property gives a good first impression when guests arrive and is critical for many other reasons including the following.
1 Guest Safety
Guest safety is paramount. Ensuring no-one can injure themselves on something avoidable at the property is key to minimising risk as the homeowner. Things to note are:
- Are there any trip or slip hazards e.g. slippery front steps, rugs that roll up that someone could trip on?
- Are building structures stable and secure e.g. no nails sticking up or floorboards coming up. No broken tiles a child could cut their foot on.
- Is the furniture strong and sturdy and in good order?
- Smoke alarms are checked by a professional and comply with local tenancy guidelines. We recommend complying with state tenancy laws as a good baseline for safety even if short term rentals don’t have to comply.
- If you have gas, make sure it is checked and functioning (2 yearly checks are required in Victoria).
- Good lighting. Often guests check into properties when it’s dark. Having suitable lighting to light the pathway and location of the lock box makes their life so much easier. Less friction for guests means they start their stay with you in a positive manner.
- Is your pool safe and compliant? Do you have a current pool safety compliance certificate if you are in Queensland?
- Airbnb invites guests when reviewing to comment on details such as the check in process. Was it easy to access the property? Airbnb managers recommend having a sensor light that comes on near the lock box and front door so guests can easily see how to retrieve the keys and then get them in the lock.
2 Reduced Costs
Staying on top of maintenance issues keeps costs lower. A regular maintenance schedule reduces expensive repairs when issues have been left or gone too far. This of course then eats into your profits. Address any water leaks, faulty tapware, flickering lights, blocked gutters etc before issues grow bigger and more costly. A good Airbnb property manager will notice these issues and report them to you and can assist you organise and coordinate repairs.
If you think that a house item e.g. a hot water service is old and needs replacing, quickly budget to replace it in a planned way and not in an emergency. Emergency call out fees for trades are expensive especially on Sundays and public holidays. Guests inconvenienced by the fault are likely to request and expect a full or partial refund for their stay.
Look at your property with the lens of preventing and minimising risk to you and your guests and lowering costs by avoiding emergency solutions.
3 Guest satisfaction
Guests will review your property and if they don’t feel the property has been well maintained or pests treated then they may note this and negatively review. Be realistic. If you can’t afford a particular repair at the time of listing, note it in the listing description to make guests aware. Negative reviews impact future bookings and profitability.
Access to the house
How will guests access your house and do you have a backup solution?
1 Keys
If your house has keys or remotes to access the house and you can install a lock box on the property make sure the lock box is large enough to fit the keys without getting jammed. Have it located in an easily accessible place (preferred).
Have a second lock box either in a similar place or other location with a second set of keys. This may be for the cleaners and have a key for the internal amenities cupboard, but it is also a backup if the guest lock box gets jammed or the guests lose the keys. Having a backup solution is very important.
2 Key pads and other digital door locks.
These are great especially if you can change the code remotely. You also don’t have to worry about guests losing keys. Just make sure they are functioning efficiently, there are batteries available in case they run low or the Wi-Fi stops working and there is a backup manual solution to accessing the house. This may be a lock box with a key to the back door and a set of batteries ready to go.
Furnishing
Use a checklist to ensure you have all the basic furniture to make a guest stay enjoyable and pleasant.
Things to consider are having enough glassware, crockery and cutlery for every guest plus extras, this way guests don’t have to wash up or put the dishwasher on after every meal.
Have enough chairs and a large enough dining table for everyone to sit and eat together. If you can accommodate a maximum of 10 guests, have a dining table that can fit this many.
The same goes for the living room. Have enough places for all guests to sit and watch TV together.
Remember you are selling sleep so having good quality mattresses is important. Have water proof mattress and pillow protectors and a spare in the cupboard. We recommend two pillows (a firm and soft) per guest as a minimum. Make sure you have quilts for the seasons, and a spare in case one gets dirty and requires washing. Have an extra blanket per bed stored in the cupboard.
Amenities
In general, these amenities are must haves. If you are providing a unique off grid digital detox experience then of course it will be different. If you can make any of the below sustainable – do this.
- Smart TV.
- First aid kit, fire extinguisher and blanket in an easily accessible location.
- Iron and ironing board.
- Wi-Fi – the faster the better.
- Coffee maker.
- Linen and towels including face washers, bathmats and hand towels (These can be hired. If not hired, then have three change overs per bed available for the cleaning team).
- Tea, coffee and sugar.
- Shampoo, conditioner, hand wash and body wash.
- Salt and pepper.
- Washing powder or liquid.
- UHT Milk.
Nice to have amenities, noting the more amenities you have, the more you stand out:
- Streaming service connected
- Spa
- Sunscreen and insect repellent
- Welcome gift
- Pantry items
- Blender
- Well maintained BBQ with the correct utensils and cleaning equipment
- USB ports beside the beds.
Heating and cooling
In hot climates have air-conditioning and fans in living spaces and bedrooms. In cooler clients have heating throughout the house. Remember guests are traveling from interstate or overseas to stay at your property and may not be used to the local climate. Having heating and cooling options assists with guest satisfaction.
Depersonalise
Many guests now staying in entire properties have some expectation that the owner’s belongings aren’t too visible and accessible around the house. Take down personal photos, remove clothes from the wardrobes, take your medications, valuables and important documents out of the space guests are going to use and put them in a locked cupboard. Declutter the space of trinkets, and items that can gather dust or be broken.
Just a quick note on plants – living plants are delightful but guests and cleaners are not reliable enough to care for them in a proactive manner.
Clean
Deep clean the property before you host your first guest. You can do it yourself or pay a cleaning company. This is like a spring clean or a bond clean but the house is still furnished. Don’t forget the skirting boards, fans, behind and under furniture, under the couch cushions. Remove hair from drains and cobwebs from the ceilings. Make sure all the rooms are spotlessly clean and don’t forget the outside areas as well.
Operation manuals
Gather your house manuals in one place for easy access by Airbnb managers and guests. Important ones include the oven, stovetop, washing machine, dryer, air-conditioner and TVs. If there are any tricks to using facilities in the house then note these down ready to share with your Airbnb manager and add to the house manual.
Insurance
Make sure you have Short Term Rental (STR) specific insurance. Contact your existing insurer to see if they offer a STR specific product or use an insurance broker. Airbnb’s Host Guarantee does cover damage caused by guests to your home and belongings but does not cover other events that aren’t guest related such as fire, flooding electrical faults.
Local Laws
Familiarise yourself with your state and local council laws and regulations. STR may not be allowed in your area, or maybe a permit is required. The industry is becoming more regulated however there is a lack of consistency across states and local council areas making it challenging for hosts. Good Airbnb managers can alert you to potential issues and help guide you to find the right information.
In summary
- Property maintenance is crucial for guest safety and satisfaction, reducing costs and avoiding negative reviews.
- Access to the property is essential; backup solutions like lockboxes or digital door locks ensure seamless check-ins.
- Proper furnishing, including quality mattresses and essential amenities, enhances guest experience and sets your property apart.
- Heating/cooling options cater to diverse guest needs, while depersonalising the space ensures guest comfort and security.
- Thorough cleaning, operation manuals, and short-term rental insurance are vital for managing an Airbnb property effectively.
- Continuous upkeep, proactive risk management, and attention to detail contribute to sustained success in the Airbnb market.
- Understand and comply with state and local regulations regarding short-term rentals, as they vary and may require permits or be prohibited.
- Seek the assistance of a knowledgeable Airbnb property manager.
