Airbnb hosting anxiety: here’s how to alleviate the stress.

August 1, 2024

If you’re new to listing your home, it’s completely normal to have first guest jitters. Hosting your property comes with a fair whack of responsibility and it takes time to learn how to do it right. In this article, we outline the key areas that cause anxiety, and how you can deal with them.

A quick caveat: many of these short-stay rental fears can be alleviated by running your business through a good platform like Airbnb (and we say this without any sponsorship attached!). Airbnb, in particular, gives you peace-of-mind by allowing you to screen guests in advance by checking their IDs and seeing their previous reviews. It gives you insurance cover and damage protection, which gives even more peace-of-mind.

Uncertainties over cleaning

Your property will need to be exceedingly clean, like a hotel. If you feel you’re not as capable as a professional cleaner, hire one. You should also create a list of tasks for each room and adhere to it, stringently. Bottom line: if you’re wondering how clean your property needs to be, the answer is ‘very clean’.

Negative reviews

Negative reviews can be quite damaging – and are certainly worth avoiding. Fortunately, you can do this in several ways. The most obvious way is by delivering exceptional guest experiences and maintaining clear, friendly communication from before your guests arrive until after they leave. You can also decrease your chances of any negativity by putting effort into your relationship with your guests and creating a positive rapport. Personalisation is everything, so if you get to know your guests and establish a positive footing, then chances of any negative reviews are slim.

Property damage

By screening your guests, and checking they have no unfavourable reviews, your limit your chance of property damage. If preferred, you can request a security deposit to cover any damage that may be incurred. Establishing clear house rules are having a good insurance policy will also help you sleep well at night.

Fires/accidents

You can avoid a certain amount of fires and accidents by commonsense caution. Don’t leave dangerous heaters or appliances around if you know there’s a chance they may cause accidents. Check that your smoke alarms are in good working order. Ensure you have all the appropriate fasting wishes and fire blankets situated in the appropriate places. If required, install necessary grab rails in the bathroom, by stairs and anywhere else they’re needed. If you allow families to stay, ensure the house is absolutely childproof. Check that all bookcases and cupboards are secured against the wall and cannot tumble. Finally, display a list of emergency instructions — and contact numbers for easy viewing.

Cancellations

While we have no control over cancellations, you do have control of your cancellation policy. With certain platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com, you can determine how strict you need to be.

Stressing over legal compliance

Alleviate your anxieties about legal compliance is by finding out what they are! Contact your local council, get the rules in writing and ensure you adhere to them. Simple.

Communications overwhelm

Create a list of automatic responses to common guests questions and requests, such as passwords, check-in instructions, check out instructions, local shop opening hours and so on. It will make liaising with your guests that much easier.

Running out of time

Running out of time is a common anxiety for all new hosts. Remember, many tasks take longer to complete than anticipated, to give yourself extra, if not double the time you think you need before your first guests arrive. You can guarantee that the more you clean, the more dirt you’ll find, and the closer to hosting date, the more you’ll discover more work needs to be done. So prepare for your first booking with this in mind.

Need help managing your holiday home rental?

If you’d like to generate more income without the hard work, contact Cloudbnb today.

Perth-based Cloudbnb can maximise your earning potential and minimise the stress. Our complete short-term holiday rental management service makes getting the most from your rental property (like 14% in passive returns) without lifting a finger.