Showing Airbnb etiquette is a basic courtesy that provides a great experience for everyone on the site. Good politeness might also make the booking process go more smoothly. It may also help you boost your platform rating.
Continue reading to learn what constitutes excellent Airbnb etiquette and how to use it to your own and others’ advantage.
What are the rules of Airbnb etiquette?
Etiquette is a system of norms and customs widely recognized by a group, community, or society. The collection of typical patterns and procedures that most Airbnb customers follow is Airbnb etiquette. These etiquette fads aid in the reduction of issues and tensions.
How Does Airbnb Etiquette Benefit Both the Host and the Guests?
Airbnb etiquette may help users have a better time on the site and avoid difficulties. This is because all users adhere to the same protocol and standards. If visitors want to bring a pet to non-pet-friendly vacation property, they should first inquire with the host. The host will be able to respond yes or no in this manner, which will avoid any further disagreements.
[Tips from Superhosts] Etiquette for Airbnb Hosts
We assist thousands of hosts in maintaining their listings at Lodgable, and we keep in regular contact with our clients. To guarantee a successful vacation rental company, we asked our Superhost customers to submit their tips and methods for ideal Airbnb etiquette:
1. Don’t bother your visitors while they’re staying with you.
Keep in mind that your visitors are on vacation. They are paying for privacy and will expect it unless they have booked a shared room. It’s not a good idea to show up unexpectedly to the property for any purpose. This may annoy your visitors, who will not enjoy it. As a general guideline, you should only visit the property if necessary.
If you must visit the property for whatever reason, first contact your visitors and inquire about the best time for them. Confirm a time and avoid arriving early or late since this may cause further disruption to your visitors’ schedule. It’s allowed to go if your visitors call you and ask you to come to the property to assist or for another reason. Again, try to stay to a schedule that is convenient for them.
2. Be upfront about your expectations and standards.
Being honest and forthright about your guidelines is the greatest way to encourage proper manners. In your Airbnb listing and welcome book or letter, you should provide a copy of your home regulations. Any specific requests should be sent to your Airbnb guest in an Airbnb message. Check to see whether your visitors have read them as well. Include detailed instructions on how to use any appliances in your home.
Misunderstandings are less likely to occur if your guidelines are clearly stated.
3. Make sure your Airbnb is clean and ready for visitors before they come.
Airbnb etiquette dictates that you keep your holiday rental tidy for your visitors. Your rental must be immaculate, with all rooms neat and ready to use. Arriving in a filthy home is plain unacceptable, and it’s a certain way to get negative Airbnb reviews. You have the option of managing your cleaning or hiring an Airbnb cleaning service.
In any case, keep in mind that first impressions are crucial. When your visitors write their evaluations, the first impression they have of your rental will stick with them. It may also influence whether or not they suggest your home to other potential visitors. Furthermore, cleaning your property before visitors come shows that you are concerned about their well-being.
4. Maintain interaction with your visitors
Keeping in touch with your visitors is an important aspect of proper Airbnb etiquette. This entails keeping in touch with them during the reservation process and until they check out. Guests will enjoy their stay more if you demonstrate that you are accessible to answer queries. Just be sure you don’t annoy them by sending too many messages.
A smart messaging technique is to follow up with your visitors after checking in to make sure everything went well. Then let them know that you are available to react to their communications at any moment. Then, until checkout day, only contact them in response to their messages. You may send a pleasant reminder of checkout timings on the day of checkout. Maintaining touch with your visitors will encourage them to write a favorable review.
5. Wherever feasible, accommodate guest preferences.
While having regulations for your vacation rental is important, you should also attempt to accommodate visitors who have particular requests. Going the additional mile for a visitor may make their stay memorable when feasible. You must, however, consider each request before accepting it. A guest request may be impractical or impossible to fulfill in rare situations. When you can, assist visitors, but don’t be afraid to deny a request that might be inconvenient.
Guests of Airbnb: Etiquette
When dealing with your host as a visitor, it’s also a good idea to be respectful. It facilitates their work and may enhance your guests’ experience. You can be a great visitor and increase your guest rating by using a few basic etiquette hacks:
1. Be open and honest with yourself.
Being honest with your host is an excellent approach to display good manners. Don’t attempt to sneak anything past your host in the hopes that they will go unnoticed. Whether you have more visitors than the rental allows, for example, ask your host if they can be accommodated. If you want to entertain guests at the property, the same rules apply.
Don’t be scared to tell your host if you’re unsatisfied with anything. They want to provide you with the best vacation possible. If something isn’t quite right, they’d rather be able to fix it. Always remember that the best policy is, to be honest!
2. Obey their home rules and any particular demands they may have.
Always respect your host’s home rules, and be aware of any specific demands they make for the length of your stay. Keep in mind that their regulations are there for a purpose (keeping the property clean and safe, minimizing noise, etc.).
If you have a question about a rule, always contact your host and inquire before completing your reservation. Your host may be willing to make an exception for you but double-check before making a reservation. After you’ve agreed to their conditions, they’ll be less inclined to do so.
3. Make an effort to be on time.
Because your host may have made extra arrangements for your check-in, arrive on time as a favor to them. If you’re running late or won’t be able to check in on time, please notify your host as soon as possible so that other arrangements may be made. If you don’t do this, you may find yourself unable to enter the property and desperately attempting to contact your host.
4. Take care of their home as if it were your own.
It should go without saying, but always respect your host’s house as if it were your own. It is against Airbnb etiquette to mistreat residential amenities or equipment. Check the vacation rental welcome book or welcome letter that your host has supplied with you if you’re wondering how anything works. Instructions should be included. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your host by phone or email.
In most cases, a cleaning crew will arrive after you’ve checked out to clean the property, but you should attempt to tidy up as much as possible. Don’t leave used wrappers or papers on the floor, and make sure to wash any dirty dishes before leaving. This will demonstrate to your host that you value their property and boost your guest rating.
5. Get in touch with your host.
From the time you book until the time you check out, your host should be in touch with you to ensure you have all you need. Communication is a two-way street, so you should also keep in touch with your host. Respond to their messages and contact them by message or phone if you have any queries.
Try to notify your host as soon as possible if your plans alter. If you notify them as soon as possible, they will try their best to fulfill any additional demands you may have. Let your host know if you are running late or will be unable to check in on the specified check-in day.
6. Write a testimonial for your host.
Any Airbnb company that wants to flourish has to have positive reviews. Don’t forget to leave one for your host if you had a good time! Leaving a review for your host may encourage them to return the favor by leaving a guest review for you.
You have the right to post a bad review if you did not like your stay or discovered anything was incorrect. However, try to include constructive criticism in your comments to assist the host in improving the service they provide to future guests. Using your reviews to express your dissatisfaction might make you seem “obnoxious” or “difficult.” If they notice this, they could be hesitant to accept any appointments you make.
7. Leave at the appointed hour
You reserve your hosts’ rental from the moment you check in on the first day to when you check out on the final day as a guest. Any additional time spent in the unit is not included in your Airbnb booking and may interfere with your hosts’ time and cleaning plans. Checking out at the time given by your hosts is standard Airbnb etiquette. This will free up your host’s time to clean and maintain the property in preparation for the next group of visitors.
If you’re running late or won’t be able to check out on time for whatever reason, please notify your host as soon as possible and explain the situation.
FAQ about Airbnb etiquette
Who is responsible for providing linens and towels?
Guests who reserve a host’s property are provided linen, towels, and toilet paper. Unless their host specifically requests it, guests are not expected to bring their bedding and towels. Again, in the case of inexpensive or smaller Airbnb lodgings, these are often outliers. If a host wants an Airbnb visitor to bring their supplies, they should make it explicit in the listing or an email to the guest.
What happens if the flight is canceled?
Both hosts and guests can cancel reservations. Regardless of who cancels, Airbnb etiquette mandates that the other party be notified as quickly as possible. This minimizes any annoyance and lowers the likelihood of a negative rating. If visitors cancel after check-in, they may still be responsible for a portion of the booking fee, depending on the cancellation policy.
Is it appropriate for hosts and guests to mingle?
Hosts and guests may share living areas depending on the size and design of the rental home. A kitchen, bathroom, living room, or outdoor area might be common areas. If this case develops, there may be some doubt about the social component of Airbnb etiquette. Is it appropriate for hosts and visitors to socialize if they share a living space?
The quick answer is no; you are not required to do so. If the host offers an Airbnb Experience or is a licensed tour guide, it’s permissible to do so. Otherwise, hosts and visitors seldom spend time together unless both parties agree.
Is it customary for visitors to tip their hosts?
It is not customary for visitors to tip their Airbnb hosts. Hosts offer services and can set their prices to pay their expenses and make a profit. Tipping is consequently extra, and it is often included as a “no-no” in guest do’s and don’ts. If some visitors tip while others don’t because they can’t afford it, tipping might negatively impact. Instead, write a thank you card or leave a modest gift for your host to demonstrate your gratitude.
Who is in charge of the property’s upkeep?
After guests check out, hosts should clean their houses as a basic guideline of Airbnb etiquette. Guests are often charged an Airbnb cleaning fee as part of their booking fee to offset cleaning expenses. This covers the cost of cleaning time and equipment and the cost of hiring a cleaning service.
However, not all hosts use cleaning services. In rare cases, hosts may request that visitors tidy the property before leaving. However, this is a rare occurrence; it may happen in smaller rooms or bachelor flats. Guests will not be charged a cleaning fee, but they will be asked to wash dishes, sweep the floors, and empty the trash can. They may be required to put soiled towels in the washing machine in certain cases. In most cases, hosts will include their cleaning preferences in their Airbnb listing or home rules.
Conclusion
The actions required for proper Airbnb etiquette may be automated and streamlined using vacation rental software. Without automation, perfecting your manners with visitors might be difficult. Vacation rental software like Lodgable will help you save time and increase your revenue.
