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Rattling around on my own in a fairly decent sized house right now, not sure whether I want to let a room out properly to someone else or not (the money would be handy but I’m used to my own space!), then someone suggested AirBnB hosting to me.
Anyone done it?
What to expect?
Am I just providing a room and facilities, or am I expected to be the host with the most and have a full English on the table in the morning too?
I’ve never rented an AirBnB room myself first (maybe I should!) so not a clue what to expect, but do like the idea of not making any long term commitments to potential tenants, but still being able to generate some extra rental income.
Any wisdom on the subject greatly appreciated!
If you have a mortgage, check the small print. Some companies/policies forbid hosting and will punish you heavily if they find you breaking the rules. Other than that, I'd give it a go if I were you. Used AirBandB a few times abroad and it's always been great. Never hosted though. Good luck!
If you have a mortgage
The opposite actually... trying to save up for my own place, hence wanting to save a few quid each month. So hopefully that’s not an issue.
What were your expectations as a guest?
In that case, have a peep at your tenancy agreement. What you're proposing is known as subletting and not usually allowed.
[url= https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/subletting-and-lodging/subletting/ ]Seems useful..[/url]
Rent somewhere smaller...? 😕
I have not hosted but stayed in a few, all were separated annexes so it was just like renting a small flat or cottage or whatever. If it was a room I would not bother unless it was ensuit. I would not expect breakfast but it would be specified in the listing.
Personally I would not do it for a whole dwelling - too few checks and balances too many horror stories. If its for a room while you live in the house then no real issues apart from the fact air b&b are a very unethical company and I will not use such companies
We've just listed as a host. Not had anyone to stay so far but we have one booking (Yay!)
(blatant plug, we're close to the Peak District and I have bike storage.....)
I don't expect a huge amount of income but we have the spare room, and Mrs PP has worked in hotels so we'll get it right on that front.
We're going to give it a year and see how it goes but so far it's not cost anything other than time so there's little to loose
From staying in a few over the years I'd say it's got to be CLEAN (especially the bathroom) and you've got to respond quickly to bookings/messages and get some local info in. Where can people eat? Local transport? Nearby facilities? Make a folder for the room and put it in the description. Be prepared to chat to the guest but also to leave them to their own devices. Breakfast? We'll just let them help themselves to cereal and tea. Wifi is a MUST IMO. I've set up a guest network (Apple Airports make that very easy) with a separate password.
Take good pics and go to town on a nice description.
Blatant plug, we're close to the Peak District and I have bike storage..... 🙂
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/9362823?location=sheffield%20s8&s=0euSFJ0v
My partner does this, one room, and allows guests to share the bathroom and the kitchen. Can be a bit inconvenient at times, but the extra income is good.
You can also block out days in advance of you don't want anyone to stay. Generally speaking the guests have been pretty cool, so long as you describe what they're getting in the description there's no wiggle room.
The only incident to speak of was the giggly students who used the kitchen scissors to cut hair that wasn't on their head...
[quote=PeterPoddy said]
Blatant plug, we're close to the Peak District and I have bike storage.....
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/9362823?location=sheffield%20s8&s=0euSFJ0v
br />
Typo 🙂
"busses"
I'd be worried about having my stuff stolen.
tjagain - Member
Personally I would not do it for a whole dwelling - too few checks and balances too many horror stories. If its for a room while you live in the house then no real issues apart from the fact air b&b are a very unethical company and I will not use such companies
I’d be the complete opposite. The perfect option though is for annexes/granny flats/etc where you are close enough to know about any problems but isolated enough to not have to worry about psychos.
We rent our shepherd's huts in Talybont on Usk and a small cottage in Brecon on AirBnB. Probably well over 500 guests/bookings between them over the last 2 years and very, very few issues. As long as you describe it accurately, price it reasonably for what you're offering I don't think you'll have many problems.
It's gone from being a handy bit of extra income to being our main earner. We also use it occasionally as guests - mainly to spend the voucher we get as 'superhosts'!
You’d have to be hard up, desparate even, to even consider it (when it’s your home, rather than a separate rental property). Even if ‘most’ of your guests are good honest people, how long until you get a theif or madman or dirty bugger etc etc. I’d be adding a load of locks to the internal doors.....
PrinceJohn - MemberThe only incident to speak of was the giggly students who used the kitchen scissors to cut hair that wasn't on their head...
😯 I hesitate to ask, but how did you find that out?
I have contracting colleagues who use them 2 or 3 nights a week, every week.
They have some stories about some of the places / hosts/ hosts' twenty something nieces and friends 8) , but on the whole it tends to work pretty well and saves them from the monotony of Travelodges & Premier Inns.
We have a room above our garage that has its own stairs, entrance and utility room, that we are considering adding an en suite to and renting it out as an Air BnB when we retire. It would be easy money.