Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Would you put your spare room on air bnb?

582 replies

EachandEveryone · 03/07/2015 15:23

We are twenty minutes from Central London. My friend and I are sick of looking for flatmates and would quite like a break from living with other people! What do you think to letting out the spare bedroom?

OP posts:
lovestea · 08/09/2015 15:26

Obsidian, that is annoying and rather funny too. Do you think they want to have a preview of your dustbins?

So, my 'Awaiting Payment' guy has been cancelled by AirBnB for non payment, but it took them four days to do it which is also a bit annoying as I couldn't book anyone else. However, within three hours of the cancellation we had someone else apply for the same dates. Brilliant.

Pigeon, I am sorry your son had a nightmare school, but glad that you are all so happy now!

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 08/09/2015 15:43

He sent me 4 different pictures although in the first one I said 'yes my house is the one on the left' then sent me a picture of my house, another house on my road and an aerial view of the whole street. I was a bit short with him in the 4th email and he sent a 5th apologising but asking again if this was my house and attaching the 2nd picture which I had confirmed was my house.,,
Amusingly streetview took a picture when XH's crazy friend had parked his crazy live in vehicle on my drive for a few weeks, so there is my house mostly obscured by a giant blue and yellow converted Luton van. It probably doesn't look very inviting!

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 08/09/2015 15:44

I did point out that gps would be more useful than streetview but he was insistent!

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 09/09/2015 11:22

My first ones coming today. A couple of young women from China although I think they may spend a lot of time here as they have a UK phone. I'm terrified as its for a month. I've just ordered some more sheets from Argos so I have three now. I really want some proper flannel ones but can't find them anywhere. What about my washing machine do I give them free reign? And the cleaning payment if ??10 why doesn't airbnb factor that in when they are coming for more than a week?

OP posts:
ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 09/09/2015 11:29

No to free rein of the washing machine! Agree one wash per week (2 if it's a couple). I had a couple from China (probably coincidence) and I showed them the washing machine, they put on a wash on day 2 and another on day 3, I couldn't believe it it had about 5 things in.

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 09/09/2015 12:38

I'm in a flat I don't want my kitchen turned into a laundry. I'm stuck in Argos I need to get home and put my face on.

OP posts:
Original poster
EachandEveryone · 09/09/2015 14:42

Omg they are so sweet! Must be late twenties. So polite I couldn't say no to them using the oven. Their parents have gone back home and left them here to explore for a month before they go back home to get their careers started. I think they are pretty loaded as they've had their luggage forwarded on. I hope they like it. Like my friend said where else can you find a double room twenty minutes from kings cross for ??24 a night? She thinks I'm worrying about nothing.

OP posts:
Pigeonpost · 09/09/2015 20:39

Glad they have arrived and seem ok! Agree re limiting use of the washing machine. Our potential nightmare guests were ok in the end. Gave us a good review with a verrrrrry long private feedback section about how we might want to invest in a harder mattress and think about offering a cooked breakfast!! No-one else has mentioned the mattress so we'll keep that on hold but not a cats chance in hell we will EVER offer a cooked breakfast, I have 3 kids under 7!! I do think our cereal (3 choices) and toast breakfast might be a bit dull for a 4 night stay though so will try and add fruit and yoghurt from now on. And I've been out and bought an additional teapot, cafeti??re and sugar pot so guests can make hot drinks downstairs with their breakfast rather than make them upstairs and bring them down. This morning's guests were rooting round the cupboard for mugs, spoons etc this morning which annoyed me as I provide all that upstairs in their room. The guest room is right above the breakfast room with its own stairs leading down into the breakfast room so it's not as if they have to carry it far.
Bookings have calmed considerably but we are still relatively busy for Sept. My pricing tip per night has gone down from ??61 (which I ignored because I thought it was too high) to ??36!! So I've ignored that too and just dropped my nightly price from ??52 to ??47. We still charge an extra ??10 per night for additional guests so still a reasonable amount.

Oh, and is anyone bothered about Superhost status? We're only at 73% 5 star reviews after the last two reviews were 4 stars. I'm not that bothered to be honest but just wondered if any of you had a view on it.

Obsidian, how is your Google Earth guest?!

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 09/09/2015 20:47

My two seem to be sound asleep. The older one seems to be incharge. She's just finished uni here and I imagine her parents have treated her to a European tour with little sis. She's told me she's going to Munich Beer festival and Barcelona next week! I'm assuming she pays for the month but takes mini trips as and when. Sounds too good to be true!

OP posts:
ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 09/09/2015 21:04

He was satisfied finally and I haven't heard since! It's only a one night booking and not til,October! Slightly anxious travellers maybe!

EagleRay · 09/09/2015 21:10

Glad you got a good review out of tricky guests, Pigeon!

We are in a kind of crisis here, and Airbnb will be stopping as soon as last 2 bookings are out of the way, and to be honest if I could get rid of those bookings I would do it like a shot.

I had planned to go back to work at the end of Sept, ie find a new job and stop doing airbnb. A job came my way and I had an interview last week. The following day I was offered the job, and then about an hour later I discovered to my utter, utter shock that I am pregnant again. Shocked becuase we had given up and I am a perimenopausal 44 year old.

So aside from preparing house for 3 guests arriving this friday for a week, I am also trying to get paperwork in order so that I can start new job on Monday, and will be going to hospital on Friday to see if consultants can work out what's happening. I have no idea how far gone I am and have a medical condition which needs monitoring.

Oh fuck. That's about all I have to say in between getting sheets and duvet covers washed and dried...

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 09/09/2015 21:18

44? Wow! I hope all goes well xxxx

OP posts:
Original poster
EachandEveryone · 09/09/2015 21:21

What kind of job will you be doing? Nothing mega stressful I hope. Flowers

OP posts:
EagleRay · 09/09/2015 21:26

Thank you - the odds aren't great re staying pregnant but I have to just sit tight and hope for the best. Was devastated and terrified when I found out as it's so risky.

Job is desk-bound but I am self employed so v disposable. I will just have to keep breathing and trying not to think too much or worry too much.

lovestea · 09/09/2015 22:25

Blimey, Eagle! Congratulations! I hope all is okay, but what a shock for you.

We are still very busy for September, twenty booked nights. October looking much quieter, but we do tend to get quite a lot of short bookings.
Had a funny moment today when current guest from abroad told me there was a problem with the loo flushing. So, go into the bathroom and there in the loo water was a large floater (I know, too much information). She said 'I also have this problem at home'. I'm not quite sure what she wanted me to do! Personally I would have died rather than get someone to deal with my poo. I suggested we put in some loo roll, and voila! it was gone.
You could only have moments like this with AirBnB.

Pigeonpost · 09/09/2015 22:33

Oh wow Eagle!! I am rubbish at staying pregnant so know all too well the turmoil you must be going through. Keeping everything crossed for you! AirBnB you definitely do not need right now!!

Loves: well you say that dealing with floaters is only AirBnB but the other weekend I was cleaning the en suite between friends staying and an AirBnB guest checking in. Flushed the toilet, it was blocked. Had to poke a bent hanger down and try and chop up the very solid poo one our friends had left. Bleuurrrrggh. Took a liberal application of corrosive drain unblocker to shift it. Friends were still here too and must have known what was going on as DH and I faffed around running up stairs with various unblocking items. Grim grim grim. Cleaning the en suite is my absolute least favourite AirBnB task. Spending the money is my favourite Smile

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 09/09/2015 23:56

Bloody hell, I know I listed quite clearly we are on a main road but, tonight of all nights, we seem to have attracted every drunk in the area to a party at the bus stop. I'm so ashamed. Rang the police. Two squad cars came and pulled up. Never even got out. I really hope they don't complain in the morning.

OP posts:
ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 10/09/2015 05:48

EagleFlowersfingers crossed!
Each that sounds awful! Sure they can't blame you for it though, don't feel guilty.

Pigeonpost · 10/09/2015 10:21

Hopefully they won't complain, after all, what could you have done? I'm a bit peeved as our last two reviews have marked us down to 4 stars for location. We can't exactly move the house! The AirBnB tip is to ask those guests what it was about the listing that let down the location for them so I have sent messages and will see what happens... I thought our listing was actually very detailed about where we are and the local area but perhaps this is a case of people not reading the listing. Seems odd though as the two guests who last reviewed us chose us purely for location so not quite sure what the issue could have been. I need to get less het up about this. It is not my job and in the grand scheme of things it doesn't really matter.

EagleRay · 10/09/2015 11:13

I get marked down for location, as do all my neighbours. It's daft - we are just outside of the city centre (10 min walk) and despite being priced accordingly I think we get marked down for not being central. The free parking and amazing views count for nothing for some people - they just whine about the 3 minute walk uphill to the house!

You say it's not your job Pigeon, but can just see you with a string of holiday homes or a hotel Wink

I think as well if you are used to working to a particular standard whatever your profession, you want to have standards when you are a host, and if people are seemingly unsatisfied with your performance you want to put it right!

Tomorrow's guests should be interesting - they're coming to attend a historic event locally and I have a feeling they'll be wearing period costume...

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 10/09/2015 11:41

My flat has never been so spotless. I heard them both get in the shower at 0130 am I don't know if this was because of the drunks waking them or if that's their routine. They are still in I wished they'd go out I daren't ask how they slept!

OP posts:
EagleRay · 10/09/2015 12:33

Night time showers? Yup had a few guests do that! And taking 3 showers a day too!

EagleRay · 10/09/2015 12:37

When it comes to things waking guests up, usually it's DD making the noise. We've had a few incidents in the night and next day I've brought it up and apologised in case they were woken. No one has ever had an issue even if they have been woken up - think it's all down to how it's handled, rather than the volume of noise! I wouldn't be afraid to mention it, especially as you did all you could to stop it

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 10/09/2015 13:30

Yeah they've both been in the shower again today. I just asked them what their plans are and they said they are going for a walk to Asda!

OP posts:
lovestea · 10/09/2015 17:04

We have had a couple of guests like that Each, and it is bloody annoying if they don't go out. We had one woman a few months ago who was here for a job interview, booked for two nights and she literally only went out for supper. Rest of the time she was in the room.

Pigeon, we get marked down for location too. It is strange because we give a really detailed description of where we are, the road, how long it takes to walk to town, bus stop, where the local shops are, yadda, yadda. I don't understand it either so if you do get some feedback it would be great if you could share that.