To be nervous of Air BNB guests?

[Getyourjab]

We have decided to let out our 1 bed cottage on the Devon/Dorset border.
We have just finished the renovation (new kitchen/ bathroom/ carpets etc) and are ready for guests, but have missed the deadline for my planned advertising outlet-The Lady- so our ad won’t appear until the August issue.
We have 2 bookings so far for the whole Summer…
My OH is keen to put it on Air BNB but I’ve heard horror stories about letting via AirBNB, but maybe they’re the exception. Like everyone, we’d like people who have a lovely time but will respect the place, not steal or ruin the time, effort and money we’ve spent.

Are you great Air BNB guests? Or where else can we advertise before Augustvto find some great guests who will look after the place?

Make sure it’s properly insured and ask for a damage deposit with every booking.

@Lotsolove

And sometimes they provide complimentary biscuits upon arrival.

@sweeneytoddsrazor

Somehow I am reminded of the episode of Fawlty Towers where Basil trys to get a better class of customer.

@Frannyhy I think you will find you are the rude one not your potential guest.

Yes, OP may well end up attracting “Lady Melbury”!

Don’t use instant book on Airbnb, make them request to book and have a conversation with them. Insist on them having their ID verified by Airbnb, and make them post a recognizable facial photo.

The worse thing I’ve had is someone break a glass. The women was very apologetic but that’s just normal wear and tear that happens.

The last cottage we stayed in through Airbnb we left cleaner than when we arrived, as they hadn’t cleaned the floor underneath the wash stand in the bathroom.

I don’t think you are going to be happy running a holiday let if you worry about what people are going to do in your property.

DP & I were frequent Air BnB guests (pre DS) we would always book a short break getaway and often used for holidays as well. We never left any kind of mess or caused any issue for the hosts. We had good guest reviews etc.

However we wouldn't tend to book anywhere unless you could book straight away on the site - we just don't like faff and for us it was preference over a hotel as more flexible ( with eating / dining / relaxing ) but I wouldn't enjoy booking somewhere with someone who is precious or treats it like a home - it's a holiday let and a business and I wanted it to be conducted in that way.

We stayed in one place where they'd left their wedding / family / friends photographs all over the place - including the bedrooms. It was very odd.

My friend lets out a property with airBnB she has mainly run of the mill guests (do remember though most people will take much less care of your property than you would). About 5% of bookings though are people who just want to have a party and will be complete nightmares. She says sometimes you can tell in advance and cancel but other times the people seemed lovely and ended up creating chaos.

If you have a mortgage lender do they allow AirBNB? Most of them don't.

I use airbnb as a last resort, mainly because I hate it as a booking platform as a guest. At least you get the opportunity to view guest reviews before accepting a booking. As I guest booking anywhere I certainly have no intention of trashing a property and will leave it clean and tidy. However I will avoid anywhere with restrictive or unrealistic rules. If I am paying to stay somewhere then I assume they will account for the wear and tear and be adequately insured to host guests. Airbnb has too many amateurs - if you are charging people a lot of money you have to accept the risk. Things will get broken, things will need to be replaced and you may have to spend a lot on cleaning up spills etc. You cannot charge the prices for self catering in the UK and expect not to do any work. Of course, no one should trash any property, but it is a risk you take.

@Frannyhy
@5foot5 That is complete bullshit. Airbnb do not allow direct contact details to be exchanged between host and guest until a booking has been finalised through them.

Yeah you are right. I got mixed up. It is the instant booking she doesn't use so she gets to see the request for booking and approve it rather than just having it made automatically

OP update:
Well I took the plunge- We’re on our second set of guests and have 9 bookings!

I do have a couple of questions for the seasoned AirBNBers amongst you:

1. I’ve offered self check-in but have said I’m on hand for any questions or problems (we live very close by). Should I go over and say hello on the first day, or leave people in peace unless they contact me?

1. So far I’ve left local butter, milk, tea and coffee and a bottle of wine for guests. Is this a good idea? Or expected? I’m slightly worried guests might be vegan or have allergies or even be offended by wine (eg religious reasons, previous alcohol problem etc). Asking dietary requirements seems excessive and might raise their expectations unrealistically as it’s only meant as a small welcome.

1. The cottage has no washing machine (no room)- would you expect a host to offer to put a load on if requested? There is a launderette nearby, and a washing line.

1. Towels- I provide one bath sheet, one hand towel and 2 facecloths per person. Should I leave 2 sets per person, or swap for a clean set halfway through a week!s booking?

I’d be very interested in your opinions.

Great work!

I’d say:

1. Make it known to the renter that you are local, but don’t pop in - people are enjoying their holiday and just want to switch off. If they want to meet you they will contact you.

2. lovely to provide these. But presumably cuts into your profit? Perhaps swap out wine for biscuits?

3. if you haven’t advertised it as having a washing machine, people won’t expect to have access to one. I would absolutely 100% not get involved in washing other people’s smalls. What happens if you dye their clothes etc? I’ve been in Airbnb’s that don’t have a washing machine, but that in the cleaning cupboard have a small tube of hand wash for emergencies which I appreciated.

4. I’d throw in an extra bath towel per person to be generous, but don’t swap halfway - again, it’s impinging on someone’s holiday.

Hope this helps!

@Demelza82

Why not make it easy for yourself and sell it to a local couple/first time buyer

Now there's an idea...

@Getyourjab

OP update: Well I took the plunge- We’re on our second set of guests and have 9 bookings!

I do have a couple of questions for the seasoned AirBNBers amongst you:

1. I’ve offered self check-in but have said I’m on hand for any questions or problems (we live very close by). Should I go over and say hello on the first day, or leave people in peace unless they contact me?

1. So far I’ve left local butter, milk, tea and coffee and a bottle of wine for guests. Is this a good idea? Or expected? I’m slightly worried guests might be vegan or have allergies or even be offended by wine (eg religious reasons, previous alcohol problem etc). Asking dietary requirements seems excessive and might raise their expectations unrealistically as it’s only meant as a small welcome.

1. The cottage has no washing machine (no room)- would you expect a host to offer to put a load on if requested? There is a launderette nearby, and a washing line.

1. Towels- I provide one bath sheet, one hand towel and 2 facecloths per person. Should I leave 2 sets per person, or swap for a clean set halfway through a week!s booking?

I’d be very interested in your opinions.

We stayed in a holiday cottage where the owners kept popping over and it was horrible. It really put us on edge and shattered the illusion it was 'our place' for the week. Their kids even got out toys and started playing!!!

I'm vegan and wasn't exactly offended by the milk, butter, bacon and eggs left as I knew it was kindly meant - but they did go to waste and I didn't really enjoy seeing pig in the fridge.

Washing machine wouldn't be a deal breaker but is handy especially for an outdoorsy holiday.

One towel set is enough provided they know upfront and can bring their own spares if they want. Swapping mid week would be intrusive.

I would say:

1. let them know you’re local and on hand but if it’s self check in then leave them to it

2. I use air bnb quite a bit and hosts leaving food is common in my experience but I wouldn’t expect it. I am vegan and where I spot in reviews that people state food etc has been left I’ve always messaged the host and said I’d noticed it’s something they do but that I’m vegan so please don’t worry about leaving anything out for my stay as I’d hate it to go to waste. Each time I have turned up the hosts have actually left out vegan food/drinks for me though which is so thoughtful.

3. If I needed a washing machine I would look for a property that offered this so I don’t think it would be expected you do washing for them. I think I’d feel embarrassed for a host to handle my laundry so I would just state in your listing there’s a nearby laundrette.

4. I would leave an extra bath towel for week stays. I don’t think you should swap half way. If I was staying in a cottage for a week I wouldn’t want or expect the host to be entering the property.

Hope that helps!

We book all UK breaks through airnB, not once have we disrespected any property we have stayed in. Never had any problems with the booking or communication side either

I’ve just come home from a pristine lovely cottage on the coast. Rules were clear and we were delighted to follow them. No kids, pets, smoking etc. All booked via AirBnB and the owner could read my ‘reviews’ before accepting me.

1. self check in is perfect
2. I certainly don’t expect any food or drink. I wouldn’t want meat or dairy in my fridge either, I would have to bin it which would be dreadful waste.
3. if I want a washing machine - and I did this time as I was swimming in sea - I would just check that it is included before booking
4. that’s really generous

Good luck!

Surely air bnb means bed and breakfast, is breakfast not expected then?

1. Don't pop in. Just ensure your contact details are inside a welcome book/info sheet on the wall/corkboard.

   One airBNB in Madrid, a previous guest must have spilt something on a rug. The rug was rolled up in a cupboard. The owner greeted us, but said he'd return so he could take the rug for cleaning. When I asked what time, he said it was ok, because he had a key! I spent the entire weekend wondering when he'd return. He never did and the rug stayed in the cupboard, but it was off putting and really put me on edge!

2. In Scotland, they left a packet of shortbread. Other places have had basics- Olive oil, salt, pepper, tea, coffee etc. Never been left alcohol or fresh milk. Excessive IMO. Maybe get some milk and soya milk sachets, like the ones in hotels. That way, they can have a cuppa, before getting to the shops.

3. Not a deal breaker at all. Just make sure its clear on the listing, and advise where the nearest laundrette is.

4. 1 towel each would REALLY annoy me. Yes, a bath sheet is nice, but if I needed to wash my hair, I'd have nothing to dry it on other than a hand towel! Unless you have heated towel racks, it would likely still be wet later that day, or even the next, so I'd provide 2 towels each.
   Do you also private a floor towel/foot mat, or do they need to use their towels for that too? I don't use face cloths, but maybe that me.

We rented out our London flat each year when we worked abroad, but paid a management company to meet/greet and manage. I had some tinned food boxed up, which was opened by a guest- but not stolen. I had a cheap blanket, a hairdryer, a house plant and some nik naks stolen. Overall, it was fine.

1. no need to meet guests in person but always good to know if someone is local just in case
2. we've been left a bottle of local apple juice and biscuits before now which have been appreciated. One host contacted me beforehand and gave me a choice of wine to choose from!
3. leave details of the local launderette's opening times etc. but no need to offer to do washing yourself.
4. towel provision sounds fine as is but make sure it's detailed in the listing so guests can bring extra if they want.

How bizarre that three vegans have answered your question OP!

For balance, DH and I would very much enjoy a glass of wine and a bacon sandwich with nice butter and would be delighted with what you left!

@Doyouforseeproblems

Surely air bnb means bed and breakfast, is breakfast not expected then?

Ha ha, no, it’s just a brand name for self-catering rentals!

@HaveringWavering

How bizarre that three vegans have answered your question OP!

For balance, DH and I would very much enjoy a glass of wine and a bacon sandwich with nice butter and would be delighted with what you left!

🙄 @ 'for balance'

How bizarre, vegans go on holiday too!

OP specifically mentioned it as a concern so it was answered accordingly.