The sharing economy brought a lot of freedom and new business to the property lettings market place. Airbnb is a great example of turning everyday people into the protagonists of this new era of business.

Anyone that has a vacation property, or even owns their current flat with a spare room can be a business owner, or simply enjoy an extra income by short letting.

Being an Airbnb host can be an amazing experience – meeting new people, sharing experiences, and optimising your income by making the most of what you have. However, being a full time host is a pretty big deal – people spend on average 40 hours per month advertising, managing, and working hard to give guests the amazing experience that Airbnb promises it’s travellers. Host fatigue is a reality nowadays since you have to be a 24/7 concierge whilst having guests.

So, the big question is: Is It Really Worth It? Check below for a list of to do’s before, during and after having a guest and ask yourself the big question.

BEFORE:

• Advertising: taking good pictures, writing a professional and friendly property description (that really sells your listing), and managing your bookings
  
  
• Professional cleaning: an essential before your guests arrive (tip – try to ensure the quality of cleaning too; a bad clean can get you a poor review, which can really cost you in Airbnb search visibility)
  
  
• Basic supplies: toilet paper, cleaning products, kitchen essentials like salt, oil and tea are highly appreciated by Airbnb guests
  
  
• Guest manual: a practical way to give your guest all the information they need – Wi-Fi password, how to use the stove, shops and restaurants nearby, etc.

DURING:

• Meet and greet: even if you decide to have it automated with a key safe, you will always have to be on duty if anything goes wrong, or if the guest just needs a few extra directions
  
  
• 24/7 concierge: imagine that, while renting out your flat on Airbnb, you took a few days of vacation to enjoy yourself, but unfortunately your boiler breaks down while a guest is staying in your place. What now? By managing the property yourself, you have to be permanently available and prepared to solve anything.

By managing the property yourself, you have to be permanently available and prepared to solve anything!

AFTER:

• Cleaning: cleaning your property after having a guest stay is essential – guests don’t like arriving to a dirty apartment after a long journey!
  
  
• Write a review: in order to get a good review, you have to write a good one yourself. You have to spend a couple of minutes to get to know your guest, and provide them with a good, personal guest review at the end of their stay
  
  
• Restocking: checking what was used and you require to restock for the next guest can be time consuming
  
  
• Accounting: this is a monthly task. You need to have everything in order for tax purposes

 Too much of a hassle, right?

A lot of people just want to have an extra income and enjoy a good holiday without any worries. That’s why Pass the Keys is here for you; having an Airbnb Management company to take care of everything during this process can be a real lifesaver. Click here for a free assessment or contact us on +44 20 8050 2818.