You already have a lot on your plate when you decide to take your vacation rental marketing out of your own hands and leave the listing sites and OTAs behind. How can I increase the number of people that visit my website? How can I make sure website visitors make reservations? What further strategies can I use to promote my holiday rental? Accepting incorrect visitors to your property is one thing, however, that you don’t want to worry about.
Airbnb horror tales still occur even though listing websites often demand customers to authenticate their accounts with a government ID. How can you ensure that you always choose the correct visitors while you’re on your own?
We examine seven of the most effective techniques for screening visitors before accepting a reservation. Continue reading to learn more!
1. Make it very obvious that they must sign your rental agreement.
Make sure they are informed of the terms and conditions of your rental agreement, including house rules, from the very first inquiry to guarantee that every visitor who enters your home is a nice person.
To let them know they must accept the agreement to stay at your property, it’s a good idea to include it in the introduction or “getting to know you” email if you don’t already have it displayed on your website. Any unfit prospects will be discouraged from moving forward with their booking request as a result.
2. Recognize strange email addresses
Generally speaking, if an email comes across as spammy, unprofessional, or just plain false, it probably is. Although a lot of individuals will indeed have humiliating initial email addresses, the majority will have outgrown them and created suitable adult email addresses for scenarios like renting holiday homes. If they don’t, this may be a major warning sign. Here is a list of email service companies that could send spam.
Another problem can arise if the email is sent from a college student’s address. Of course, not all college students have a negative reputation, but if your property is close to the campus, take extra care since it might be the scene of an unruly party waiting to happen.
3. Call, text, or Skype them
Ask you’re possible visitors if they’re available for a brief phone call, Skype chat, or WhatsApp message during the first conversations (call or instant message). The traveler should not be approached if they refuse to speak to you.
Speaking over the phone is an excellent approach to not only introduce yourself but also to get all the information you need without being pushy. You can attach a face to the name by using Skype or WhatsApp, which are much better. If they knew you would identify them in the future, they could be less inclined to wreck your house! Additionally, it will be much simpler to contact the visitor throughout their stay to provide ideas and other helpful tips if you already have their phone number.
4. Google them
To do some web investigation, you don’t have to be a private investigator. If the state or city where their phone number is registered is nearby, this may be a sign that they want to hire your property for a party. Visit their Facebook page to view images of them (you can compare these against a Skype call later). You may also look them up on LinkedIn to view a more professional profile, read testimonials from previous employers or coworkers, and get a better sense of who they are.
5. Extend the length of your stay
Another suggestion to keep bad people from staying at your house so you can hold a crazy party? Extend the minimum stay period. Partygoers seeking an inexpensive but luxurious setting for the evening may be put off if your minimum stay increases from one or two to three (or even four) nights.
6. Charge a significant damage deposit.
Although it may seem apparent, renters will be more cautious about damaging your property if they have to pay hundreds of dollars as a deposit. A substantial damage deposit that is refundable can help deter any undesirable tenants from ever considering staying at your property.
7. Register while staying there
Checking in on your visitors can help you be sure that you did make the correct decision after all, whether you just send them a brief text message in the middle of their stay or let them know in advance that you like to pop by and see how they are doing.
