Many people have considered renting their homes while away or turning investment property into a full-time rental. Airbnb has made it easy and accessible for almost anyone to make extra money by making your home a unique hotel for travelers.
Remember that it can take a lot of work to get your home ready to be listed on Airbnb, especially if you've never rented space to anyone before. You'll also need to protect your property and valuables if you intend to have strangers in your house regularly. Keep reading if you want to learn more about how to prepare your home to rent on Airbnb.
How should you prepare to list your home on Airbnb?
The best thing you can do to start is to walk through your entire home and make a list of everything that needs to be cleaned and every appliance or home system that needs to be inspected. Guests have plenty of options, so taking the time to make your property attractive matters. Consider Airbnb Loans for property renovations before putting your property up for rent online and generating rental income. You should also remove your personal items, jewelry, family heirlooms, and anything precious to you for safety.
You need to ensure your appliances are functional, especially your HVAC systFew home systems are items more critical to maintaining a comfortable environment than your HVAC. Make sure you keep an eye out for strange noises, leaks, and other signs that indicate you need a new furnace or air conditioner. Your HVAC should have its filter changed every 90 days and be inspected by a technician once annually. If your system is in disrepair and is over ten years old, consider replacing it entirely.
If you have any home systems or appliances that aren't in good working order, you'll need to look for appliance repair services. One option for minor issues is to use a virtual appliance repair company. You can handle several troubleshooting and diagnostic issues via video chat with appliance repair experts. This can make some repair services more affordable and help you determine your next steps when one of your household appliances breaks down.
What can you do to protect your property from damage?
Hosting through Airbnb can be incredibly difficult, even in the best of circumstances. One concern many homeowners have about using Airbnb is what they can do if a guest damages or destroys their property. If you come home to find something wrong with your property, contacting Airbnb immediately's a good idea. Their resolution center will allow you to request money for damaged or missing items as reimbursement. The guest will then be asked to pay.
You must contact Airbnb to escalate the dispute if they refuse or don't respond. They may contact you for more details on the missing items or property damage and will give you 72 hours to provide any information requested. If Airbnb determines you are owed money, you'll be sent the total amount in a separate payout.
Airbnb can present an excellent opportunity for anyone with the flexibility to rent their property. However, most homes will require a good amount of cleaning and maintenance before it's ready to be rented out online. Appliances like your washer, dryer, and refrigerator should all be inspected and serviced before listing your property. Protecting your valuables is also intelligent, whether you use a safe or a storage unit. If you should have issues with your guests, Airbnb's resolution center can help you get the money you're owed. Airbnb allows homeowners to turn their property into an income-generating rental, but you'll need to work to ensure you have a quality space to show potential guests.
