Could someone talk to me about air bnb

[StealthPolarBear]

We are looking to advertise a house on air b n b. I've had a look at the site and it looks really helpful but it would be good to have some real people to chat to and ask silly questions.
Is it easy? Do you get the bookings?

Based on my recent experience.

Make sure there is toilet roll.
Make sure there is no mouldy milk in the fridge.
Make sure you have curtains in the bedroom.
Don't describe it as serene if there is a night club blaring out music so loudly you can make our the words for 6 nights out of 7.

That has been the case for every toaster we've owned though, cheap or expensive, the slice sticks out of the top

I think no TV is a really bad idea and would put people off. Its one of the basics id expect in self catering. Doesn't have to be fancy just a basic one would do. A DVD player is also a good idea and in my experience again pretty much the norm

Wifi an absolute must

Oh dear Marco, thank you, noted but I hope I'd never have to worry about that. I plat to leave the fridge pristine with just the welcome food in - bacon and eggs, milk, bottle of wine, anything else? Id go for bar of chocolate but am uncultured :)

Opinion split on TV but most people have said WiFi. Excellent.
There are direct buses to two of the nearby big hospitals at the bottom of the drive, presume I should mention that?

I'd find it really odd to stay somewhere without a TV.

You wouldn’t need to get a tv licence if you don’t get a tv.
I watch iPlayer when I go away, you have to log in now and declare that you have a licence when you watch. It’s not WHERE you watch that is the issue. It’s who is watching, and whether they live in a household that has a tv licence

Definitely don’t leave food in unless requested/or it says that there will be food.
I do a shop on my way to air bnbs!

Actually thinking about it unless we lug the TV out, people will expect it to work. Probably easier to just make it do something. If we pay for a licence and sort out an aerial will our old TV show some channels

Rely juniper no welcome basket :(

Have a range of local recommended take away menus either with the welcome pack or Some where handy

On the plan, along with bus timetables, a list of whats nearby and a plug for the local shop and the pub across the road

The best welcome packs weve had have had milk, coffee, nice biscuits & wine.

We do our shopping once weve arrived but having the basics for a coffee after youve travelled is worth its weight in gold.

10% discount for any mners booking from this thread ;)

OK so just the basics and presumably some milk. And something for children if they have them, was thinking magazine and sweets.

Yes, don't leave a non-functioning TV in there. People will just complain that it doesn't work.

Don't worry about milk and chocolate. The things I appreciate are:

tea bags
coffee
sugar
washing up liquid
dish cloth
tea towels
hand soap in the bathrooms
hand towel in the bathrooms

Think about whether you want to provide towels and bedding, or ask people to bring their own. (Again, depends on who you think will want to stay)

Yes, definitely mention the bus links to the hospitals

Noted thank you

I work for a holiday lettings agency and we have a few listings on Airbnb. I've been pretty much responsible for setting them up, taking the bookings etc, so do pm me if you want any specific advice.

WiFi is pretty much what everyone wants. We've set up a security deposit to guard against any damage - haven't had to claim against this so far, so can't vouch for how Airbnb deal with this though.

Thank you lurky that is really kind.
DH was worried about leaving WiFi in case they accessed something dodgy - in the same way as you wouldn't share with a stranger - is that an issue or would we just provide proof it was rented

Definitely mention transport links to any places you think people might be wanting or needing to visit. I stayed in an air b and b recently and they'd done a little list of local hospital, walk in and pharmacist which was useful. Shop info would be good too.

I would generally expect towels but say so if you're not going to, then people will know.

I've never really thought about the WiFi issue. I think you'd probably have a defence if it did happen!

Aside from Airbnb, we let out over 80 holiday homes, pretty much all with WiFi. Afaik we've not had any issues with people accessing dodgy stuff on the internet. Most ISPs allow you to block stuff though don't they? So if you were really worried you could set something up. Obviously if they are using your personal WiFi then it would affect your usability too.

I would strongly recommend taking a security deposit. It does make people think twice before they do anything stupid!

Definitely do provide some milk. The majority of tea and coffee drinkers add milk and there's no guarantee everyone staying at your house will have been able to buy milk en route or will be able to get to the local shop before it shuts

I stay at AirBNBs a lot, both in the UK and overseas. Wifi is essential. Less bothered about TV but if you're going to have one, please make sure it's a reasonably modern one. I wouldn't stay somewhere that was just a dumping ground for the owner's old stuff (so no old TVs, no old kettles and toasters, no old cups and plates, no old bedding). A lot of places seem to have been fitted out with most kitchen stuff from Ikea (which is fine).

I would never consider staying somewhere that didn't provide bedding (white) and towels (for bath/shower and also for the kitchen!) Decent quality bedding makes a big difference.

It makes life much easier when there is washing up liquid, a washing up brush, tea towel etc. Plus some salt and pepper, and some olive oil preferably. And of course hand wash and toilet roll.

I've stayed in a couple of places that didn't have microwaves. If you're working, this can be annoying. If you're on holiday with time to spare, it's fine. Please make sure you provide oven gloves if you expect people to use the oven.

I stayed somewhere in Dec that didn't provide a corkscrew. Now that was annoying! (although I suspect a previous guest had taken it as I've stayed in other properties with the same owner and a corkscrew is provided).

Everywhere I've stayed in the UK has provided some form of welcome pack. As a minimum, there's been tea, coffee, sugar and milk. Most leave a bottle of wine. Sometimes there are eggs, bread, butter, muesli, cake, biscuits, crisps, marmalade, sparkling water, it can be impressive. The basics really help.

Thank you, I am taking notes!