How to Rent Your Home on Airbnb
Airbnb helps you rent out that extra space you’ve got to travelers looking for a unique lodging experience. It could be a spare room in your house, your couch, a vacation home you’re not using, or even a boat. If you’ve got the space, then you can find people who’d like to stay there.
Step 1: Your Profile
If you’ve got friends in a city, then you can usually stay with them when you visit. That same community philosophy is core behind Airbnb. Instead of anonymously posting listings for hotel rooms, every listing is done by a real person.
So before you even start listing openings, you create a profile. Upload a profile picture, or multiple pictures, and share about who are and where you are. This is a chance for travelers and guests to get to know you, and the right profile can make a big difference in whether or not you find lodgers.
Step 2: Verification, References, & Connections
Airbnb is all about trust, so they make it easy for you to establish that trust. Once your profile is set up, you should get it verified. There are a variety of methods, including e-mail or phone verification, reviews, linking an online ID such as Google+, or by having a network of pro photographers come take pictures of your place.
You can further build that trust and identity by bring your friends into the mix. Get references written and added to the site by friends. Or you can connect with your Facebook account to show your connections to other Airbnb members.
Step 3: Listing Your Space
This step is all about your space. Write up a compelling and, more importantly, accurate description of your space. Include details like noise level, size, and unique features it boasts. Then select any of the amenities that are included.
For pricing, you can select nightly, weekly, and monthly rates. Many hosts will offer discounted rates for longer stays, but it’s not required. Make sure to think about costs like utilities, cleaning costs, and, depending on your location, taxes. You can either incorporate these into the rates, or have them listed as a separate cleaning fee. Airbnb has a variety of different payment methods, including Paypal, so you can choose the one that works best.
Now that everything’s set up, fill out your availability calendar. As you start renting, remember to update the calendar to reflect any bookings.
Step 4: Booking Your Space
Once your space is listed, you’ll be open to getting messages and reservation requests through the Airbnb messaging system. It’s vitally important that you try to answer these quickly. In fact, Airbnb lists a response rate on the site, and determines their search placement by how long you keep guests waiting. If you want to message away from your computer, set up text alerts or get the smartphone app.
When you accepted a reservation, the guest will pay you through Airbnb, then you’ll work out check-in. After their stay, remember to review your guest on their profile. This goes back to the Airbnb community-based roots, and will help you find the best renters in the future.