Avoiding 1 or 2 night gaps in Short Term Rentals

[Blake Lawrence]

I have co-owned a property in Maui, while my partners did the management aspect. I am taking over the management and buying out their half.  In the past, when a vacationer has requested a stay and left a 1 or 2 day gap, my partner offered the additional day at half price but no one has ever taken that.  In some spots, I can afford it but January is a higher priced, very easily rented out time period and this person has requested a stay that leaves a single day on both sides empty.  My question with VRBO and AIRBNB is there a way to set it so they cannot leave a gap like this?   If not, what is the damage of rejecting their request? It is my understanding there is some metric that is determined by your acceptance rate and it may push your listing further down if you do not accept.

[Luke Carl]

@Blake Lawrence Great question! 

If you go to your availability settings on airbnb you'll find all sorts of settings as to when guests can and cannot check in. Also don't hesitate to call airbnb and ask this question and more. I find the more often you call the more bookings you get. 

Here's my system... 

I've got a two night minimum. About once a month I'll check my calendars for 1 night gaps and switch those nights to 1 night minimum and RAISE the nightly rate a few bucks (to keep out the riff raff that generally comes with one nighters). 

On airbnb this is on the right side of your calendar it's called a "Rule Set" 

On VRBO you simply click on the date and change it to 1 night min. 

This is assuming your minimum night stay is set to anything over 1 night, and also assuming your house keepers are ok with handling one nighters which often come last minute in my market.