Since its inception in 2008, Airbnb has revolutionised the modern holiday and, for many people with holiday homes, it can be an easy way to list their second property and get as many guests to see it as possible.
Yes, if your second home isn’t being frequently used, having it on Airbnb could be the perfect side hustle but, you do have to prepare the property first.
In this blog, we’ve broken down a few factors you might want to consider before listing your property as a holiday rental.
How do you get your property onto Airbnb?
Let’s go from the very start. You’ll need an account on the Airbnb website.
Once you’ve set that up, you’ll want to list the property with an interesting description, key information and high-quality pictures. The website itself should guide you on what to include in this bit. You can also take a look at existing listings to see what others have done (and maybe see how you can stand out).
The images you use need to feature your second home looking its best and you will want to ensure that the property meets local regulations before you list it. We’ll go over this in more detail below.
Will you need to check with local authorities before listing on Airbnb?
You will need to check with local authorities, most likely the council, to ensure that short-term rentals are permitted in your area. You may need a licence or planning permission when it comes to a second home so it’s best to check before taking any other steps.
Do you need specialist insurance to list your holiday home on Airbnb?
If you already have holiday home insurance, you will need to let your insurer know that you’re planning to rent it out via Airbnb – this is so you don’t invalidate your current policy with them.
It’s worth noting that many mortgage agreements may restrict or even prohibit short-term rentals so you will need to ask your lender for permission. ‘Consent to let’ is key to moving forward on Airbnb so make sure you ask.
The popular brand also offers ‘AirCover’ for its hosts, including host liability insurance and host damage protection. It’s basically like special Airbnb home insurance but make sure you check the terms and conditions so you know what this will actually cover and what you can claim for.
What should you consider when preparing your holiday home to become an Airbnb?
The better the reviews from the guests, the more likely you’ll get others wanting to stay at your property so, of course, you’ll want to give them the best experience possible. To make your Airbnb a five-star pick, there’s a few things you can easily do.
Cleaning and decluttering
Understandably, your guests will want to arrive to a clean, welcoming space. Remove any unnecessary clutter and make sure your property has all the basics (utilities and furniture).
You’ll want to give the whole space a thorough clean. This will go beyond dusting, wipe downs and hoovering – you’ll also want to wash the carpets, clean the oven, air everything out etc.
Furnishings like sofas and chairs will need a deep clean too, plus fresh sheets should be added to all the beds. For added freshness, use an air freshener or room diffuser so the space smells good as soon as guests walk through the door.
Be sure to leave cleaning products and bin bags in an obvious spot, and detail any cleaning instructions in your listing, to ensure guests know to clean up after themselves too.
Covering the basics
As mentioned, you’ll want to make sure that your property includes certain necessities so they can stay in the property comfortably. This will include furniture like chairs, beds, dressers/wardrobes and tables. It will also include a working kitchen, bathroom essentials like toilet paper, bins and appliances like a kettle, toaster and microwave.
Make sure all forms of lighting is working and you have easily accessible plug sockets so users can charge their devices.
These days, most guests will want a property with Wi-Fi so we would classify that as a necessity as well.
Just think to yourself, ‘Would I stay here?’ when planning how to furnish and decorate your home for Airbnb.
Who doesn’t love a host who goes above and beyond? To make their stay more pleasant, you can leave a few things in your Airbnb to set yours apart.
A few ideas could be:
- Food and drink – A lot of people pick where they’re staying because they want independence on their holiday, including with food so, you don’t have to stock up on everything but a few snacks and teabags would definitely be appreciated
- Games – Playing board and card games on holiday is a British tradition so leaving some of these in the living room is sure to be a crowd pleaser
- Technology – If you’re able to, having a TV or speakers is a nice touch for a guests’ entertainment
- Welcome hamper – A lovely idea that’s bound to impress. You can include some treats, toiletries and a nice note to truly welcome your guests
Security
Your guests will want to feel safe during their stay but you’ll want to know your holiday home is protected too. This is where installing some security measures can come in handy.
Your property should include the appropriate locks and security system, but CCTV or a Ring doorbell could also be added. We’d also recommend getting to know your neighbours.
It can be difficult when you don’t live in that property yourself but they’ll be able to keep a look out for your holiday home when you’re not there.
Set some rules
Lastly, it’s always good to leave a couple of politely written rules for using your property. These can be put on the Airbnb listing but it may give you peace of mind to have some in the property just to remind your guests. Be reasonable and realistic when writing these.
Insuring your holiday home
As we’ve mentioned above, you’ll need to make sure you have the right insurance before listing your property on Airbnb. At Adrian Flux, we offer comprehensive holiday home insurance to suit your needs. We also offer bed and breakfast insurance and holiday let insurance.
If you’re worried about the possessions you keep in your second home, there’s our contents insurance too that will help put your mind at ease.
Call us on 0800 369 8590 for a quote or book a callback at a time that suits you to find out more.
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