Families remain one of the fastest-growing segments of the travel industry, so making your Airbnb family-friendly is a surefire way to help keep your calendar full. However, this decision must be thought through carefully, so to help you along, we’ve given you a list of pros and cons. And if you’re still keen, we’ve compiled a handy checklist of items to check or purchase.
PROS
- More bookings — Rather than limiting yourself to couples and friend groups, you can further fill your calendar with one of the fastest-growing tourist segments.
- Longer bookings – Typically, families don’t want the disruption of travelling to several places, so they’re likely to bunker down and enjoy your place for longer.
- More reviews — Families are more likely to leave reviews than young couples, who soon after are usually too focused on the next adventure to worry about what happened the week before.
- Have a competitive advantage – If you fit your house out properly for young families, you’ll gain another competitive market that will help you sustain more bookings.
CONS
- Potential stains – Kids make more mistakes and don’t always understand the importance of rules. The outcome? Spilt drinks and food, chocolate stains, grubby fingerprint marks, texta stains on fabric, hidden food and toys in surprising places — and much more! So, if your house is decorated with expensive, cherished furnishings, hosting families may not be for you.
- Noise – Young children and babies are bound to make more noise than adults, so if your house adjoins walls with neighbours, think this through.
- Longer turnovers – Cleaning up after families takes longer – there will be more cleaning, sorting and far more laundry.
Your family-friendly Airbnb checklist
CHECK
- Cleaning products/poisons – Keep all chemical products out of harm’s way.
- Hot water system: Check that your water heater is no higher than 49°C to avoid scolding.
- Smoke alarms – All rental properties should have internally wired smoke alarms. Speak to your electrician about adequate placement.
- Garden: Remove all rat bait and traps. Ensure ponds and water features are covered adequately and that prickly or dangerous plants are fenced and out of harm’s way.
- Swimming pool – Check that it is adequately fenced and gated.
REMOVE
- Remove all sharp objects – Walk through your home and look for objects that could harm little ones. For example, decorative pieces, sharp edges, mirrors or pokers near fireplaces are all recipes for disaster.
- Remove all cords – Remove all cords on blinds and curtains.
- Power points and cords — While you can’t eliminate all power points at floor level, you can ensure that dangerous power cords are kept out of harm’s way.
PURCHASE/INSTALL
- Plastic cutlery and plates – Shatterproof eating utensils are a must; fortunately, IKEA sells brilliant kiddie cutlery for less than a cup of coffee.
- Mattress protectors – Waterproof mattress protectors are an excellent stopguard if children wet the bed.
- Portable cot – Ensure that it is fit with a firm-fitting cot sheet.
- Highchair – Remember you can always sell these items later
- Wall brackets – Firmly anchor bookshelves, cupboards and heavy furniture to the wall to avoid nasty accidents.
- Safe staircases – Install baby gates to prevent children or bubs from climbing stairs unsupervised.
- Cupboard safety latches – Secure anything on ground level; ensure all cupboard doors near the floor are fitted with safety latches to keep kids safe at all times.
- Stepstools – These are ideal for the bathroom or toilet, and adults like them, too!
- First aid kit – Every short-stay rental home should have a first-aid kit, but if you’re inviting little ones, having one close by makes good sense.
- Extra items – If you want to go all out and make “family-friendly” the feature of your home, there’s plenty more you can do. You could add a small child-friendly table and chairs, games and toys, children’s books, an outdoor swing, jump rope or outdoor play equipment, or a change station with baby wipes. Just be careful about encouraging the use of textas or paints, as these can often end up on your furnishings or walls, which is not quite the hosting experience anyone wants.
BONUS TIP
Communicate thoroughly to the family beforehand, and let them know what is and isn’t available. They’ll deeply appreciate knowing what to bring in advance.
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.
We do it all:
- Property listing management & marketing Check-in & customer communications
- Cleaning, laundry & maintenance – Ensuring that 5-star feel every time
- Styling & photography – Guest vetting – Keeping your property safe and secury
- Property insurance
