Post by High Priestess on May 29, 2016 22:26:09 GMT
Kristina shared on NHF Jan 2015
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-101280
Completely new host!
I've only just joined and have not yet even had an inquiry. I live in rural England and am a single mother of three girls (9-16yrs) in a lovely 6 bedroom country house. I'm looking for tips on what to post in my description to encourage security. I would be grateful for any tips, including specific things on AirBnB site which are particularly worthy of reading. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now! Thanks, Kristina
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Andrew
Andrewa year ago
First, here are a couple of posts from Deborah that I think are excellent resources for first-time hosts:
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-78645
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-94737
When it comes to security, I find that the communication you have with people who inquire counts for a lot more than anything you can put in your listing. In just about every host's experience, the majority of guests are lovely and problem-free, but it's understandable that as a single parent with young kids in the house you must put your family's safety first. Reply to all of your inquiries promptly, but don't be afraid to decline guests who you don't feel at ease with, and never hesitate to ask questions about the people in each party (age, gender, etc) and their plans for their visit before accepting a booking.
A few tips about your listing:
- Verified Photos help your search rank and make a better first impression for people viewing your listing. Find out if Airbnb's free photography service is available in your area: www.airbnb.com/help/article/297
- Pricing: you'll find that hosting 4 guests is more work and expense for you than hosting 1. I'd recommend starting with a competitively low base price based on a single-occupancy and using the Extra Person Charge (say, an extra £10 per person after the first 1 or 2) to maximize your business at both ends of the scale.
- Calendar: You can adjust your calendar settings to allow for extra time to change-over between bookings or prevent last-minute requests - a very useful feature for avoiding becoming overwhelmed.
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Leah
Leaha year ago
Have stricter house rules. Some hosts only accept females. Add some photos with a couple of male things - boots by the door for instance to give the impression a guy is around. You don't have to mention to anyone that it is nothing but girls there. Tell the girls no one is allowed in their rooms, ever. That's what I told my sons when we did our private room. If someone gives you the creeps, decline.
Reply Like 1 reply•4 likes Delete
Deb
Deba year ago
In this situation I would opt for female guests only also.
Leah
Leaha year ago
Also, add more photos. Common area, bathroom, kitchen if they have access to that, local landmarks of interest, etc
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Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
While maintaining security is important, each of us has different concerns. If you try and think of the things that concern you most and set your screening process and house rules to address them, you can relax when a guest is in your home.
My most important concerns are transparency in identifying my guest and my personal privacy. So, I don't instant book. And I require that anyone booking have a photo and be verified. I check government photo ID at the door so that I feel confident that who I booked is who is there. So, I put a lock on my bedroom door. Whether or not I am home, the door is locked. So, I don't wonder or worry about anyone even accidentally entering.
My presumption is that my guests are not ill motivated. But it puts me at each to have an exchange that allows me to "hear" whether the guest communicates in a straightforward manner. And setting boundaries in the house tells each guest what the parameters are for their movement. And I do not rent my space during any time when I am not present.
It is true that no amount of security can eliminate every risk. But I assume that most people and, therefore most guests, do not have an ill motive. I just can't waste time worrying that someone who wants to commit a crime forged an ID and falsified an AIRBNB profile in order to come to MY home and fulfill that wish! A lot of very dark circumstances would have to come together for the event and, if I thought they would, I wouldn't even be hosting!
Reply Like 1 reply•3 likes Delete
Leah
Leaha year ago
True, there are too many hoops to jump through for guests in order to book. If they want anonymity for crime related issues, they would book some motel along the highway.
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
"each" should be "ease"
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Fiona
Fionaa year ago
Welcome Kristina! You have gotten some good ideas. I agree with the idea of identifying your main concerns and screening guests and setting up your household to avoid problems. I state in my House Rules that upstairs is off limits to guests but am going to explain to my children no-one is allowed in their room after reading that above. Trust but verify - some hosts including Andrew above have shared horror stories of people rummaging around in their drawers or walking in to the hosts' bedroom to ask a question. Have guests know they are to text/email you any questions if you aren't around, don't let them wander around looking for you. I haven't accepted any solo male travellers travelling alone yet and don't think I would unless they were someone who had stayed here before as part of a couple and were back on a business trip or something. My own advice would be screen potential guests carefully and don't feel you need to accept just anybody. Require them to be Verified and maybe just deal with people who have a few reviews under their belts to start. Err on the side of caution and be quite strict until you develop a sense of comfort with the process. Protect yourself and your children, quite right.
Reply Like Delete
Fiona
Fionaa year ago
Oh, and don't let anyone bring in visitors. My rules state no unregistered guests or visitors without prior written permission and I review the rules at check in. I also have guests send me the full names and ages of all guests before they arrive and I check that against id when they arrive. Gives me some ease.
Reply Like Delete
Andrew
Andrewa year ago
One thing I would caution against is advertising the intention to discriminate - for gender or any other reason - in your public listing. Not only does it risk running afoul of the law in some jurisdictions; it's also extremely limiting to your potential business, especially when you can accommodate up to 4 people. A "women only" policy means you'd also get no requests from married and/or gay male couples, families with male children, or transgender people (who will naturally be anxious about how you will judge their gender identity). Rather than deny yourself some potentially good business and risk looking bad, I'd suggest aiming the listing at the general public and carefully considering each request on a case-by-case basis. When your listing is more established and well-reviewed, and you have a feel for how frequently you want to host and who your "ideal" guests are, you can fine-tune your listing to attract those specific demographics.
Another security suggestion: have a "worst-case scenario" plan in place, in case a situation comes up in which you need to remove a guest from your household. There's not really anything Airbnb can do to assist you in these situations (which are fortunately very rare) so if you wouldn't feel at ease evicting a group of people from the house by yourself, having supportive neighbors and friends nearby could be very helpful.
Reply Like Delete
Kristina
Kristinaa year ago
Thank you all for your insights and comments. Very useful. Kristina
Reply Like Delete
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-101280
Completely new host!
I've only just joined and have not yet even had an inquiry. I live in rural England and am a single mother of three girls (9-16yrs) in a lovely 6 bedroom country house. I'm looking for tips on what to post in my description to encourage security. I would be grateful for any tips, including specific things on AirBnB site which are particularly worthy of reading. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed right now! Thanks, Kristina
9 comments•1 like
Follow
Like
Lauren & James
Delete
Hide
Andrew
Andrewa year ago
First, here are a couple of posts from Deborah that I think are excellent resources for first-time hosts:
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-78645
www.airbnb.com/groups/content/content-94737
When it comes to security, I find that the communication you have with people who inquire counts for a lot more than anything you can put in your listing. In just about every host's experience, the majority of guests are lovely and problem-free, but it's understandable that as a single parent with young kids in the house you must put your family's safety first. Reply to all of your inquiries promptly, but don't be afraid to decline guests who you don't feel at ease with, and never hesitate to ask questions about the people in each party (age, gender, etc) and their plans for their visit before accepting a booking.
A few tips about your listing:
- Verified Photos help your search rank and make a better first impression for people viewing your listing. Find out if Airbnb's free photography service is available in your area: www.airbnb.com/help/article/297
- Pricing: you'll find that hosting 4 guests is more work and expense for you than hosting 1. I'd recommend starting with a competitively low base price based on a single-occupancy and using the Extra Person Charge (say, an extra £10 per person after the first 1 or 2) to maximize your business at both ends of the scale.
- Calendar: You can adjust your calendar settings to allow for extra time to change-over between bookings or prevent last-minute requests - a very useful feature for avoiding becoming overwhelmed.
Reply Like 3 likes Delete
Leah
Leaha year ago
Have stricter house rules. Some hosts only accept females. Add some photos with a couple of male things - boots by the door for instance to give the impression a guy is around. You don't have to mention to anyone that it is nothing but girls there. Tell the girls no one is allowed in their rooms, ever. That's what I told my sons when we did our private room. If someone gives you the creeps, decline.
Reply Like 1 reply•4 likes Delete
Deb
Deba year ago
In this situation I would opt for female guests only also.
Leah
Leaha year ago
Also, add more photos. Common area, bathroom, kitchen if they have access to that, local landmarks of interest, etc
Reply Like Delete
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
While maintaining security is important, each of us has different concerns. If you try and think of the things that concern you most and set your screening process and house rules to address them, you can relax when a guest is in your home.
My most important concerns are transparency in identifying my guest and my personal privacy. So, I don't instant book. And I require that anyone booking have a photo and be verified. I check government photo ID at the door so that I feel confident that who I booked is who is there. So, I put a lock on my bedroom door. Whether or not I am home, the door is locked. So, I don't wonder or worry about anyone even accidentally entering.
My presumption is that my guests are not ill motivated. But it puts me at each to have an exchange that allows me to "hear" whether the guest communicates in a straightforward manner. And setting boundaries in the house tells each guest what the parameters are for their movement. And I do not rent my space during any time when I am not present.
It is true that no amount of security can eliminate every risk. But I assume that most people and, therefore most guests, do not have an ill motive. I just can't waste time worrying that someone who wants to commit a crime forged an ID and falsified an AIRBNB profile in order to come to MY home and fulfill that wish! A lot of very dark circumstances would have to come together for the event and, if I thought they would, I wouldn't even be hosting!
Reply Like 1 reply•3 likes Delete
Leah
Leaha year ago
True, there are too many hoops to jump through for guests in order to book. If they want anonymity for crime related issues, they would book some motel along the highway.
Sheryl
Sheryl a year ago
"each" should be "ease"
Reply Like Delete
Fiona
Fionaa year ago
Welcome Kristina! You have gotten some good ideas. I agree with the idea of identifying your main concerns and screening guests and setting up your household to avoid problems. I state in my House Rules that upstairs is off limits to guests but am going to explain to my children no-one is allowed in their room after reading that above. Trust but verify - some hosts including Andrew above have shared horror stories of people rummaging around in their drawers or walking in to the hosts' bedroom to ask a question. Have guests know they are to text/email you any questions if you aren't around, don't let them wander around looking for you. I haven't accepted any solo male travellers travelling alone yet and don't think I would unless they were someone who had stayed here before as part of a couple and were back on a business trip or something. My own advice would be screen potential guests carefully and don't feel you need to accept just anybody. Require them to be Verified and maybe just deal with people who have a few reviews under their belts to start. Err on the side of caution and be quite strict until you develop a sense of comfort with the process. Protect yourself and your children, quite right.
Reply Like Delete
Fiona
Fionaa year ago
Oh, and don't let anyone bring in visitors. My rules state no unregistered guests or visitors without prior written permission and I review the rules at check in. I also have guests send me the full names and ages of all guests before they arrive and I check that against id when they arrive. Gives me some ease.
Reply Like Delete
Andrew
Andrewa year ago
One thing I would caution against is advertising the intention to discriminate - for gender or any other reason - in your public listing. Not only does it risk running afoul of the law in some jurisdictions; it's also extremely limiting to your potential business, especially when you can accommodate up to 4 people. A "women only" policy means you'd also get no requests from married and/or gay male couples, families with male children, or transgender people (who will naturally be anxious about how you will judge their gender identity). Rather than deny yourself some potentially good business and risk looking bad, I'd suggest aiming the listing at the general public and carefully considering each request on a case-by-case basis. When your listing is more established and well-reviewed, and you have a feel for how frequently you want to host and who your "ideal" guests are, you can fine-tune your listing to attract those specific demographics.
Another security suggestion: have a "worst-case scenario" plan in place, in case a situation comes up in which you need to remove a guest from your household. There's not really anything Airbnb can do to assist you in these situations (which are fortunately very rare) so if you wouldn't feel at ease evicting a group of people from the house by yourself, having supportive neighbors and friends nearby could be very helpful.
Reply Like Delete
Kristina
Kristinaa year ago
Thank you all for your insights and comments. Very useful. Kristina
Reply Like Delete