Would you put your spare room on air bnb?

[EachandEveryone]

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?

[Pigeonpost]

It really is infuriating. Against my better judgement I have now composed a check out message (conveniently saved under the new saved messages system) which is all gushing thanking the guest for staying, hoping their enjoyed their time here etc and explaining that the Airbnb star system isn't like normal hotel star ratings and that Airbnb consider that anything with an overall star rating of less than 5 suggests areas that the host needs to improve. I then say that if there is anything we could work on perhaps they could use the private feedback or direct message me. Not sure whether it will make any difference but we'll see. The general feeling on the Hosts Group forum was that some guests just want the moon on a stick and you can't avoid that. Airbnb Help suggests contacting guests with "low" feedback asking them why. I have done this 4 times since last July and not one has responded, I mean you just wouldn't would you? I'm trying not to get too worked up about it as the bookings are still coming in and people are generally happy. Not my fault they don't understand the stupid Airbnb system. I think Airbnb do know how daft it is as I went to Superhosts lunch the other week and the Airbnb lady hosting it said the stars thing is being looked at. But we'll see....

[HemlockStarglimmer]

Congratulations Eagle!

Having a week off from hosting as my husband is away and I'm relishing having the house to myself. It's clean and I'm not going to clean it again for a whole week!!!

[Pigeonpost]

Oh I struggled to find this thread! Well I've lost my Superhost status as I'm down to 76% 5 star reviews but that's. People seem happy and I can't do anything else. I'm still in two minds about the checkout message, I don't always send it, it depends on the guest. Some people just don't review at all which is irritating.

Today I have the hump as last night's one nighters smoked in the garden. I was chatting to the husband and glanced out the window to realise that after puffing away, the wife then kicked the fag butt into the undergrowth in our garden with her foot. How dare she?? House rules v clear there is no smoking on the premises. Who just leaves fag butts in people's gardens??! Bloody woman is also an Airbnb host too and said on leaving that she'd leave a good review as she's had "a few whingers" recently on her own listing. Stupid cow. I'm going to say that she smoked on the premises contrary to the house rules. Stupid woman should know better. Grrrr.

[lovestea]

Just letting those with an interest know that tonight at 10pm on Channel 4 is a documentary: AirBnB Dream Or Nightmare.
No doubt the emphasis will be on the Nightmare!

[EagleRay]

Hello everyone - how's things going, Airbnb-wise?

Lovestea - my mum texted me last night about that programme but haven't had time to watch it yet - she said there were lots of stories about subletting in London!

I achieved the impossible and opened the doors to paying guests last week for 5 days. They were virtually my last guests I had before closing the doors for the winter last year, and were desperate to come back again. I said yes as although not really in a fit state to host, they integrate into the household easily and so it was fine. Having said that, I nearly killed myself getting the house ready as the loft room was full of dust from the building work and also random boxes of stuff that got dumped there when i was in full nesting mode.

Anyway, all went well and we all had a great time and they helped out with the kids too and bought some beautiful handmade presents with them. They are from the world of entertainment and dress very distinctively when performing and so it was a very entertaining week!

I thought just before they arrived that we would continue with bookings once they had gone but the baby has just entered the most godawful sleep regression (not that she was much good before) and I think the stress would finish me off. As well as not being able to get much sleep, it's really hard to know when she's going to wake up screaming and unless I can get to her in 2 seconds, it's just impossible not to wake everyone up. So will leave it a little while longer.

[EachandEveryone]

Well i gave up as i has someone staying with me for six months. Hes due to go the end of the week and ive had an enquiry for two months. A 19 year old Malaysian student. I dont think he will be any bother, its hard to get enthusiastic the thought of getting prepared again. I never watched that programme did anyone?

[EachandEveryone]

Anyone had a sudden influx? I haven't done it for six months and now four people have booked from Monday. I feel quite ill Thinking about what I need to buy. It's for a very basic back room nice and quiet. Cannot believe my settings put the price at £18 for London no wonder they are all jumping in it.

[EachandEveryone]

Anyone still doing this?

[stayathomegardener]

Just read the whole thread through eachandevery loved following your story.
Just pondering if DH and I should consider airbnb as DD is due to go to Uni in the autumn leaving us with spare time and lots of space.
We are on a farm in an almost finished house with an attached converted barn about 6 miles outside Chester so not sure if there would be a demand for the location.
Plus unguarded large ponds would make me really worried about children.

[EachandEveryone]

You can say no children on your listing. Put your post code in and see if theres anyone doing it nearby. Its hard work initially and ive had my ups and downs with it but have met some lovely people along the way.

[catwithflowers]

I put our spare room and private sitting room on Airbnb in September. So far we've had 8 people/couples to stay. A couple arrive tomorrow for a week which will be my longest stay to date. So far I'm enjoying it; everyone has been nice and it's been a really positive experience. The extra cash is great too

I've had great fun reading and empathising with you all on this thread. No doubt I will have some nightmare guests at some point!! One thing I would agree with even though I have only a few months hosting experience is that it seems like the more you offer, the more guests expect!

[EachandEveryone]

I know i had a French woman staying two weeks ago. She seemed so impressed said my flat was nicer than hers in Paris. There was a glitch n the airbnb and it dropped my price to £18 when it should really be £30 plus. Twenty minutes to central London. She marked me down for value!! I couldnt beleive it she ate me out of house and home and left the heater in the room on all the bloody time. She was so lovely as well.v

[stayathomegardener]

Thanks each.
Postcode search reveals only 13 others locally, can't decide if that would be a gap in the market or an unpopular area.

[catwithflowers]

Have you madeadecision yet Stayathome? Our couple who came for a week were adorable. Only18 years old and so, so lovely. They even left a £10 tip with a thank you card!! Another couple arriving for a week later today. They are flying in and will arrive late, almost midnight.

[catwithflowers]

• made a decision yet!! Don't know what happened there!!

[EachandEveryone]

How's it going everyone? I've not done it fir awhile but have someone coming to stay for a month on Sunday. Pretty nervous!

[AdalindSchade]

Hi each! This just popped up on active and I have posted on it before under different names. I'm still doing it, had a really busy summer but nothing booked from September so I have it on gumtree for a direct rent which is what I have done for the last 2 winters.

One thing I did was printed a 'guide' to Airbnb star ratings and put it in my welcome folder. I explained that anything under 4 means 'awful' and that 5 means 'exactly as described' etc. I have definitely had more 5* ratings since then.

[EachandEveryone]

Oh I wish I could see a copy of that! I need to print off a guide anyway I'm rubbish on the computer though.

[AdalindSchade]

ILL Take a pic of it in a bit

[AdalindSchade]

Hope you can see it

[EachandEveryone]

Oh that looks fantastic I might get one of the juniors to do it tonight for me!

[EachandEveryone]

Haven't they got a cheek putting in red that you are at risk of been suspended even though the booking that was cancelled was months in advance with very good reasoning.

[EachandEveryone]

I copied your instructions I'm just waiting for her to arrive I'm really quite nervous! Do you let them use your living room? I only have a flat and it's my only private space but then again she is here for the month. I'm not sure really.

[packofshunts]

We live in a very pretty part of East Anglia (think Lovejoy!) and have a completely self-contained, seperate annexe.

Have been toying with idea of AirB&B / holiday rental for ages but always assumed it would be too much hassle. Maybe should look into it a bit more as could certainly do with the extra ££

[AdalindSchade]

Fingers crossed! Yes I do let people use the living room, they don't tend to much but it's where the dining table is. For a month you have to really.