If you plan to rent out your property, you should carefully consider its preparation. Rental platforms have a number of requirements for hosts. If you want your business to be successful, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the main stages of preparing a property for rent.
Another important point in optimizing your business is the delegation and automation of daily routine tasks. For example, using the Management Software (like https://www.hostyapp.com/airbnb-apartment-management-software/).
There are AutoMessages, AutoAssignments, AutoReviews, and other useful features.
Real estate online platform requirements
All rental sites take care of the comfort of guests. Therefore, real estate listed on online platforms must comply with certain rules. For Airbnb, the most important requirements are:
- The cleanliness of the apartments. Airbnb offers hosts a 5-step cleaning process based on their own algorithm. Particular attention is offered to be given to the bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. It is important to clean up after the departure of each of the guests.
- Availability of basic amenities. This includes a set of clean bed linen, a separate towel, and pillow for each client, and hygiene products (toilet paper, soap, kitchen towels). Find a store in advance that supplies consumables at the best price.
- Your property must comply with the zoning regulations of your country or state.
Each real estate rental platform has its own nuances in real estate requirements, but the most important thing is compliance with local laws and the comfort of clients.
In addition to real estate requirements, there are many rules for renting out online sites. For example, Airbnb has a mandatory non-discrimination policy: the owner of the accommodation does not have the right to refuse a booking based on the racial, national, or religious affiliation of the guest. There are also special rules for booking accommodation for customers with animals.
Local legal requirements for real estate
In many countries, you need to obtain additional permits and documents in order to be able to rent housing for a short term. Namely:
- Obtaining a business license.
- A document on the compliance of your housing with the necessary standards, the availability of regulatory documents and acts, and rules for the maintenance of premises.
- Compliance with the rules of zoning residential premises. Often these rules are set by the municipality of the city.
Also, take an interest in the taxation system in your area. Most likely, you will have to charge guests a direct tax or VAT. To take into account all the nuances, it is best to consult a lawyer before naming your listing.
Real estate insurance
Many real estate platforms provide real estate insurance against possible damage caused by clients. For example, Airbnb has a host damage protection that provides compensation in the event of:
- Damage to the premises or property by the client.
- Excessive cleaning costs are associated with inappropriate customer behavior.
- Loss of income due to repairing property damage (for example, if you were unable to host the next customers because you need to make repairs after the departure of the previous clients).
Please note that such insurance does not cover damage from natural disasters, as well as damage to property due to wear and tear.
Airbnb also cares about the safety of guests: AirCover for hosts covers cases of client injury or damage to their property. Also, this program compensates for the damage that the guest caused to common areas.
How to prepare your home for guests
In order to make your guests feel as comfortable as possible, you should take care of all the necessary details in advance.
- Take care of the cleaning of the premises. Airbnb’s 5-step cleaning tips will help you with this – each step is described there in great detail. If you want to save time, you can delegate this task to a cleaning agency – so you can be sure of the quality of the work.
- Buy all consumables: toilet paper, bath accessories, kitchen towels, soap, disposable slippers, bed linen, and pillows.
- Think about what might be useful to your customers. For example, a hair dryer, and ironing board are sometimes very useful. Pleasant little things will also add to your rating: a bouquet of flowers in the kitchen, delicious tea, beautiful kitchen utensils, and curtains – it’s very easy to create coziness.
- If you are going to live with guests in the same room, make sure that each of you has at least a minimum of personal space.
If you can provide additional amenities to customers, be sure to indicate this in the ad. For example, if your rooms are equipped for people with special needs, parents with babies, or visitors with large animals. This will be your advantage over your customers.
Also, this is related to the rentals for business travelers. They seek convenience and to enjoy their stay at your place. And in most cases, comfort is what many business travelers choose when seeking business accommodations in Washington D.C., NYC, Boston, or other business cities across the US.
Guide and rules for guests
A travel guide is another way to make your customers’ vacation even more comfortable and interesting, and your Airbnb host rating higher. In the guide, you will be able to point out nearby sights, delicious authentic cafes, and places of interest – museums, galleries, concert venues, etc. This will make it easier for guests to navigate the city and get the most out of their trip.
The guide is tied to your account, not to a specific ad – keep this in mind when compiling. You should also follow these rules:
- Conciseness. Short phrases and nothing more are ideal. Many unnecessary phrases can confuse customers, especially if they are in your city for the first time.
- Describe your personal experience. Leave common phrases to encyclopedias, guests are interested in the feedback of a real person about a particular place.
- Beautiful photos were taken by you. It is not necessary to involve a professional photographer for this – the main thing is that the photos accurately convey reality, and be authentic and atmospheric.
- Relevance. If a cafe with amazing national cuisine nearby was closed a week ago, be sure to indicate this in the guide.
If you have prepared everything you need to start your rental business, we wish you the best of luck. Develop your business, increase profits and become a successful entrepreneur.
