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Airbnb is cool. You can rent your flat while you’re away and make money! But if you’re renting your flat to robbers, Airbnb can become a nightmare! Look at these 5 tips to avoid booking your Airbnb to the wrong people so you can enjoy a stress-free hosting experience.
#1 The Airbnb Host Guarantee is cool but not perfect
The Airbnb Host Guarantee protects hosts from up to $1,000,000 worth of property damages. However, nothing is perfect and it doesn’t cover everything that might get robbed. First, the Airbnb Guarantee doesn’t include financial hacks. It also doesn’t cover pieces of jewellery or rare artworks. Lastly, the Airbnb Guarantee won’t cover the damages done to your pet. So read (and understand) the fine print. Make sure to remove any valuables that aren’t covered. Or you can call your insurance agent and see if your insurance covers Airbnb robbery.
#2 Better safe than sorry
You can stock your precious belongings in a safety deposit box at your house or in a bank to avoid an Airbnb robbery. Most local banks offer them for free or for a small fee. You can also invest in a sturdy wallet and keep your ID with you. When it comes to large items, you can use climate-secured storage like the ones offered by Boxman or Bystored.
#3 Stalk your guests like your ex-girlfriend
Review their profiles, ask for IDs, google them and even meet them face-to-face to exchange keys. Due diligence is the best way to qualify for the Host Guarantee. It’s up to you to make sure that your guests can be trusted. You can cancel their stay if you can provide reasonable evidence that your property might be in danger of getting robbed.
#4 Protect your mail
If you don’t own a locked mailbox, your guest will have access to your mail and this can be dangerous. They can steal your identity and access your accounts. Fortunately, there’s a way to avoid this by asking the Post Office to hold your mail while you’re away. You can also invest in a P.O. box if you plan on receiving a lot of guests.
#5 Make sure everything is fine once your guests have left
Once your guests are gone and you feel like something is missing (like money in your bank account) you should check your credit reports. Make sure they are accurate and that your guests didn’t access anything personal.
Does preventing an Airbnb robbery cause you too much stress? At City Relay we take care of everything for you! We’ll help vet tenants for you to ensure they can be trusted. We’ll take a guaranteed deposit and we protect your flat from damages! Becoming a host is quick and easy, simply click the button below and fill out your details to view your property’s earning potential!
