All Forum Posts by: Jason Charlton

@John Underwood Ah, got it. 

@John Underwood Thanks for the reply. Do you request that they book multiple separate stays on Airbnb (28 days in length for example) or have you moved past the Airbnb platform with them etc. I am not in position to do outside of the platform with this guest at this time, yet.

Thanks! 

Hello,

Anyone have experience with longer term Airbnb stays as a host? Is there a solid way to avoid the guest establishing tenant rights? Would requesting them to book 28 days at a time, consecutively help with this issue, or would they still establish tenant rights after day 30?

Not asking for legal advise, just experiences that others have had or done.

Thanks! 

@Alyssa Czopor I may of got a bit lucky on the cleaning staff side to be honest. I at first attempted to work with a larger company in the area, but they did not offer much of a personal touch. I still may work with them, but only at scale most likely. I used a software platform called TurnoverBNB for help find cleaning staff. Two main benefits, one being they help connect you with personal cleaners, that work more freelance / contractor style. The cleaners are more open to doing more (though you may pay more), but you can build a personal relationship. The app itself is also critical to the operation! It integrates to AirBNB and VRBO, so cleanings for new stays are sent to the cleaner, so they can have a digital dynamic schedule, with check in, check out time, ability to report issues with pictures etc. You can also pay them directly through the application. It really helps put that part on auto pilot, but you still communicate with the people doing the work of course, via your preference, aka phone or text etc. The service has a small cost, but well worth it to start. If you meet another cleaner outside of the application, you can invite them to join to help keep your work effort low. Gone are the days of emailing someone a monthly schedule that may change every day. 

Handymen services was more calling and interviewing local companies. Most of them will do "as needed" on call, so having a few who you felt were reliable (maybe test them out on a few things before the property goes live) worked best for me, thus far. I also have a business partner who does some of that work themself, so it is a less critical piece for me. Especially if the guest does not require an immediate fix (I give them the option each time, some don't want to be disturbed). It is also important to communicate to a future guest, if an issue lags more then 1 stay, as being informed goes a long way, with setting expectations. 

Being cleaning is the most critical, TurnoverBNB has been the most helpful software. I have not started using a PMS system yet (as the Airbnb tools are pretty good for a few properties), however at some point, a PMS platform will be important to keep up. Guesty, Hostaway, and lodgify are a few ones I have personally reviewed. (In order of preference) 

Guest experience, in order to get good reviews is the key to success. You will learn along the way, but as long as emotions from a bad guest to the next guest are not carried with you (if you had a bad guest), then you will be fine. 

Hope to help! 

@Alyssa Czopor My first investment was in a vacation rental. In my market (Maryland), it was the Ocean City MD area. The reasons I felt it was safe to start is, its primarily a drive to market, and an established vacation rental area, which already has established
regulations around short term rentals, so little to no risk of that being a problem.

I am about two hours from the area, so having a local team there to manage repairs (if need / as needed) and a cleaning crew is key. If nothing else, have a trustworthy house keeper / cleaner who is on the same page with your goals. I went with listing it myself to start, and don't regret it at all. The VRMs in the area were terrible, and provided a horrible first experience and service. There is a lot of software and automation you can use to help with the daily tasks, so you can focus on the most important thing, which is the guests, and their experience, as well as managing and keeping in touch with your cleaning staff.

Travel! As well as working out / lifting weights. 

We have found success with having multiple sets of everything, and have a cleaning team who replaces, and then washes the dirty off site. Providing linens and towels helps the guests not have to worry about it, and you can certainly charge for it to cover your risk / cost, as well as cleaning teams time. Review the local services in the area, and be competitive, with a slight mark up for convenience.