In this blog post, we will share 5 Airbnb hosting mistakes and how to avoid them to keep those bookings rolling in. Everyone makes mistakes, and everyone learns and improves, but it’s better not to make any of these 5 Airbnb hosting mistakes at all!
Table of Contents
1. Not Having Clear House Rules
For the smooth running of your Airbnb, it is vital to set clear expectations for your guests, including rules around check-in and check-out times, noise levels, and smoking. Clear house rules for Airbnb hosts help protect your property from misuse and protects your guests from any accidents that might arise from neglecting the rules, such as where keys are kept, use of driveways etc.
It is important expectations are set, particularly around pets and your house rules. Everyone has different standards on how they let their pets behave. It’s quite reasonable to prohibit guests from bringing pets, but if you do allow them, all good pet owners will appreciate accompanying rules.
Don’t forget house rules for pets!
For example, in our case, we welcome pets (they are an important part of the family) but the associated house rules are
- they are not allowed on furniture or upstairs
- must be cleaned up after if they use the garden
That’s all – two very reasonable rules you must adhere to if you want to bring your furry friend. There are clear rules, but they aren’t demanding or ambiguous in any way. Everything is well!
Good, clear house rules will also help Airbnb make any judgements if the worst happens and they need to step in.
2. Not Communicating with Guests
Another common Airbnb hosting mistake is not communicating with guests properly. Make sure to be responsive to messages and questions from guests, and provide them with all the information they need to have a successful stay. Making sure your communication is clear and transparent will build trust and confidence in your guests about the services you are providing.
I can tell you that as a guest who has stayed in Airbnb’s where the host takes a long time to respond to questions or concerns, there is nothing more frustrating. Put yourself in the position of your guests and respect them enough to communicate with them in a timely and polite manner.
Your guest may need directions, recommendations, have some sort of emergency perhaps. All these things need to be addressed promptly by a good host.
Effective communication plays a significant role in converting enquiries into bookings. Promptly responding to a potential guest’s questions and providing detailed information about the listing can help alleviate any doubts or concerns they may have. Clear communication about availability, pricing, amenities, and house rules can encourage guests to proceed with their booking and of course, this improves your bottom line.
3. Not Providing Basic Amenities
Make sure to provide basic amenities for your guests, such as toiletries, towels, and clean linens. This will help guests feel more at home during their stay. Not providing such basics can leave guests feeling dissatisfied and may result in negative reviews or ratings.
If you don’t want to include such items at your accommodation make sure this is clear in the listing. Managing the expectation of what is provided is key.
When I host, I leave towels for every guest, plus extras. There is an assortment of shower gels and shampoos too. In the kitchen there is always tea and coffee and a selection of local treats such as crisps or sweets too.
It doesn’t cost much to provide these little extras relative to the price that folks are paying, so why not? The good will and good feeling far outweighs the tiny expense for a providing the basics or even just a step further.
4. Not Being Flexible
A big one in the top 5 Airbnb hosting mistakes is a lack of flexibility. Of course, you are asked to set check-in and check out times, but from time to time you could be asked to make a few exceptions. For example It may be that your guest needs assistance with mobility and their help isn’t available until a particular time. Or perhaps an individual is using your home as a base for an important business trip and are keeping an unusual schedule.
It’s time like these that we try to make adjustments for our guest. It all comes back around to good communication in the beginning and focusing on a great customer experience, which in turn likely leads to more bookings and more positive reviews.
In our case, if our property isn’t occupied the day before a guest is due to check in, then I make sure the property is ready in advance and offer an early check-in for our guests. In the same manner, if the house is not booked by a new guest for an evening on the previous guest’s check-out date, then I try to offer a late check-out.
Who doesn’t want an extra hour in bed!?
Generally, it won’t make a difference in my preparations for the next guest so it’s a win-win for host and guest.
Airbnb can be a fiercely competitive market and stepping outside any rigid rules and accommodating guests can really set you apart from other services in the area.
5. Not Keeping Your Airbnb Space Clean
There is no excuse for not keeping your space clean.
Put yourself in the position of a guest. You have saved your money, bought a few nights at an Airbnb for your family holiday and when you arrive, the floor is dirty, the cooker in the kitchen has old grease stuck to it, the glassware is smudged and the fridge has spilled milk.
You would be horrified to spend that money and arrive at a home that clearly isn’t looked after.
As a host, keeping your place clean, tidy and fresh for every guest is a bare minimum. Apart from respecting your guests enough to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming home, a dirty home gives a very poor first impression, translating to a diminished experience and less favourable reviews.
In the worst case, poor cleanliness could result in breaking local laws and could land your Airbnb in trouble with the local authorities.
Invest some time and energy to make sure your Airbnb is in perfect condition for each and every guest you host.
It’s easy to avoid these 5 Airbnb hosting mistakes with just a little effort and attention to detail. In the end, avoiding these mistakes will net you more bookings, giving you more chances to show off your space and earn more money through renting your place.
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