I have been hosting Airbnb for a long time now. One question that frequently pops up is – “How can I be a better guest?”. Here are some quick answers from my experience.
There are many answers to this question and although many of them are valid; I have found in my experience that most of the basics can be boiled down to a set of a few simple tricks and tips that anyone can practice. Don’t fear being too needy when it comes to being a guest, part of what the host is offering should include a level of comfort and yes – even caring.
So firstly, you must expect your host to care. It’s simple but effective and will help you communicate with your host for all your needs and questions; as well as open the door for more.
Avoid Asking for Discounts
The reality of the market is that many houses or rooms that are listed on Airbnb are ALREADY discounted so that asking for additional discounts will just make your host uneasy about having you stay in their listing. It’s best to just find an initial price that you are comfortable with and is within your price range – and don’t try to haggle. Take some time building up the host/guest relationship before expecting too many “bonuses”.
Be Vocal About Problems as They Happen in Real-time
You can’t expect a host to fix anything if they don’t know it’s broken. You kind of have to ride the fine line between being helpful and insightful in a constructive way and being too “critical” of the listing. Try to frame every comment in a positive manner or better yet, save small details and observations on a notepad and send them privately to the host after your stay.
Your host will appreciate the candor and may even hook you up with some perks on your next visit to town, for helping them increase their value they provide in their guest experiences. Being vocal about issues can allow the host to add the issue onto their vacation rental cleaning checklist in a timely manner.
Read Given Materials
Always read everything that is posted in the property. Is there a plaque on the wall? Read it! It most likely has the WiFi password on it. Did the host put a travel guide on the dresser? Read that too, because it may have valuable information in it.
Checking in Early or Late? Call Ahead
Let your host know. Or better yet, ask permission. Most likely it will not be an issue, and if for some reason it is an issue due to a cleaning schedule or another booking, sometimes you can leave your luggage in a garage or a hallway in the meantime if you just ask.
Following these guidelines will not only help you become a better guest when you stay at an Airbnb, but they will also help you become a better host.
