Tips for a simple hosting routine

One of the most common questions from people considering Airbnb hosting is, “How much work will it be?” While some hosts gain deep satisfaction from personally handling every aspect of their Airbnb business — from managing bookings to greeting guests to putting personal touches in their space — many others prefer to enlist help to minimise effort and maximise enjoyment. 
Here are some top tips for keeping hosting simple.

Keeping your space clean

If you’re hosting regularly, the constant routine of turning your space over in between guests can become tiring. Some hosts recommend hiring a cleaning service to ensure you’re always covered. You can add a cleaning fee to your listing to offset professional help costs.

Host Shefali Dhiman says, "Comfort and hospitality are key to becoming a perfect host, and having a vacant place is not good enough. The place must be well kept with all basic amenities intact. Cleanliness is an essential Airbnb hosting requirement. If you can, leave a day between check-ins so that you can thoroughly clean the space. It also gives you some leeway in case you have other tasks to do that day; saves rushing around. By providing accurate details, prompt communication, and a spotless listing, you are well on your way to providing the high-quality experience that guests expect."

Welcoming guests

Once guests have checked in, they typically settle in by looking around and ensuring they understand where to find things they need — and how they work (like how to use the TV). Many hosts use Airbnb’s house manual feature to provide guests with information unique to their home.

To help guests experience your area like a local, it’s also a great idea to provide recommendations for sights to see and places to eat. You can make this information available right in the Airbnb app by using the guidebook feature to create a custom guide to your favourite spots.

Being available, even when you’re away

Mobile devices make it possible to connect with guests at a moment’s notice from anywhere in the world. Many hosts do this directly in Airbnb messages and share a phone number for text messaging to address any issues that might arise. 

A little help from your friends

Many hosts lighten the load by sharing responsibilities with a property manager or co-host. Host management services are third-party companies that assist with hosting duties like key exchanges, cleanings, and listing management. A co-host can be a trusted friend, roommate, spouse, or professional property manager.

You can decide together how to divide responsibilities and arrange payment. (It could be a good idea to create a contract to ensure both parties are on the same page about responsibilities and compensation.) Airbnb’s co-hosting feature allows you to link another user profile with your listing, which avoids sharing your login credentials.

Learn more about co-hosts

Creating a routine

Once you get the hang of hosting, creating a routine you can replicate for each new booking is a good idea. Keep track of how many hours you spend on tasks like communicating with guests and preparing your space, then find ways to streamline the ones you enjoy less and make more time for what you love. One great timesaver is Airbnb’s saved messages feature, which allows you to save and reuse answers to common guest questions.

Here are three valuable tips to get started on Airbnb

Buying supplies in bulk can save time and money, too. Consider having items you replace often — essential amenities like toilet paper and hand soap — delivered regularly to your door through an Amazon subscription.

These are just a few ways to simplify your hosting routine. So much of what works will depend on your lifestyle and listing. Give it some time and a little trial and error — and you’ll discover the best approach.

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