Airbnb Essentials : A Checklist for Hosts

More and more homeowners are harnessing the power of Airbnb to generate some additional cash flow. As a result, the competition between listings is heating up. This means that in order to be found, and then booked with, Airbnb hosts need to make sure that they are at least offering the basics when it comes to hosting.

To help, here is our checklist of essentials for Airbnb hosts:

1. Professional-Level Photos

In an Instagram-driven world, photos are king. When scrolling through Airbnb, guests tend to stop and explore those listings whose photos first catch their eye. This means that photos can either make or break closing the deal with a guest.

When putting together your photo gallery, make sure to include pictures of the areas your guests will have access to. Include shots of the amenities that come with the booking along with any specific information that will be important for the guest to know.

2. Ability to Instantly Book

As with most things, the easier you can make the process, the more successful you will be. This applies to your booking process as well.

Airbnb hosts have the option to either allow the guest to request to book – which means that the host first has to approve – or to instantly book. By allowing guests to instantly book you not only improve your listing’s ranking on Airbnb, you make it easier for the guest to decide to book with you right now.

3. Provide Hotel-Level Amenities

Believe it not, simply sharing in your listing that you have basic amenities like a hair dryer can be very helpful. Most guests are counting on the space coming equipped with these hotel-like essentials of soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc. And if you do not provide these then you must be prepared for the negative feedback that will come back in the ratings and reviews.

4. Around the Clock Check-In

Again, Airbnb hosts need to keep in mind that they are competing with hotels. And one of the benefits of choosing to stay at a hotel is the flexibility that comes with check-in times.

Thankfully, this flexibility does not mean that the host has to be on call for 24 hours. You can simply create a check in system using a lockbox or a keyless entry set up. Just be sure to communicate clearly with your guest exactly what the check in process entails.

5. Provide Actual Beds

If you are simply renting out a futon or an air mattress, chances are that you will not be an Airbnb host for very long. The quality of the bed actually matters to guests, especially if they were not informed of any “special” sleep stipulations.

6. WiFi is Mandatory

In our super-connected world full of data plans and expensive overages, guests almost take for granted that there will be WiFi access with a property. In fact, it is one of the most important requirements guests look for when booking.

7. Amenities of Comfort

Guests want to be comfortable in the place they are paying to stay in. This means that hosts must be willing to accommodate.

For example, if it is hot, hosts will want to have ways for the guests to remain comfortable. Air conditioning is always nice to have, but if your property does not offer it, make sure you have a backup option like providing fans.

8. In-House Entertainment

With Netflix,Amazon Prime and Spotify, it is easy for hosts to provide plenty of entertainment options for their guests. However, hosts can also offer real-world entertainment as well with board games, books or games like ping pong tables.

9. Minimal Cleaning Fees

Nothing will cause a possible guest to cancel out of the booking process faster than a high cleaning fee. Keep in mind that adding additional costs on top of the booking and the service fees that Airbnb is already charging can make a guest look elsewhere. For this reason, it can sometimes make more sense to calculate your cleaning fee into your rental price so guests see $0 next to the cleaning fee portion of the invoice.

10. A Stocked Kitchen

One of the major appeals of staying in an Airbnb is the option to cook your own meals. But in order for guests to do so, the kitchen must have the basics.   

With this in mind, hosts will want to make sure guests have the ability to cook some basic meals. This means having access to some pots, cutlery, plates, and bowls along with a coffee maker or tea kettle.

Becoming an Airbnb host can be a great option, both for homeowners interested in opening their place up to guests as well for those homeowners who have second (or third) properties that are mostly vacant. And getting starting is super easy! To sign up and become a host today, simply head to Airbnb to begin the process.