AirBnB Hosting - Do's and Don'ts

[skeemee]

My friend has just listed her spare room on AirBnB, trying to make some spare cash to cover Christmas etc. She already has 3 bookings for the next few weeks.

She lives in a very touristy city, which is a well known travel destination. House prices are one of the highest in the UK.

I suppose I'm worried that she is selling herself short (e.g. she is offering free continental breakfast "help yourself"). I have visions of two hungry students pitching up and eating her out of house and home before heading into town for the day! Also is charging a (very low) flat rate regardless of whether 1 or 2 guests are staying.

Any suggestions on what the realities are? I think she is being a tad generous, and perhaps a little naive?

There are no children in the house BTW.

has your friend asked you for advice on this?

Im guessing she can limit the food she offers so even if they eat it all, its not the end of the world.

If she gets some great reviews to start that will hopefully help build a profile for the future.

The price she charges once established could rise as I think you can go in and change unbooked dates to different rates

She needs to vet stayers too, thats my biggest worry with airbandb

A help yourself continental breakfast can just be some individually wrapped Aldi croissant, hard boiled eggs and bread rolls, nowt fancy.
She will get a feel for what her time is actually worth as she gains experience.

@Kiwiinkits yes she has asked what I think. Her listing looks great. Her home is lovely and she’s done the spare room up like a hotel room. All good from the potential guests point of view. What I don’t know is what it’s like to actually host, hence the reason for posting. Good to hear others stories etc.

@Kez200 yes, she said she’s starting low to try and get some good reviews, so that makes sense. She hasn’t blocked off Xmas eve to boxing day, which I think could end up a bit tying if someone books those dates. I presume you can decline the booking?

@Her0utdoors oh I didn’t know you could get individually wrapped croissants 🥐. I will need to get some for myself!

You probably can decline but I suspect Airbandb watch for those who do it all the time and perhaps its then not looked on too kindly by airbandb. They are quite hard in their approach at times.

I would be inclined to up the cost for key dates like that so, if tied, its worth it.