Deciding to share your space or rent out your little slice of heaven can feel scary. Dialdirect Namola, the free emergency app, offers you the following advice to ensure that you are safe when renting out your house.
Set guest requirements. According to Airbnb, every guest is asked to provide certain details to them before a booking. As a host, you also have the option to request a guest identification (an ID or passport) and a security deposit. You should outline specific expectations to your guests before they book and include any house or complex rules.
Interact smartly. Always pay and communicate on Airbnb. Use Airbnb’s messaging system to get to know your guests and share expectations about the trip or your space. Read profiles and reviews of your potential guests, and look for verified phone numbers, connected social networks, and references. If potential guests don’t have any profile verifications, you can ask them to complete some. Trust your intuition: If you don’t feel right about a reservation, don’t accept it!
Mention safety features in your house manual. If a guest encounters an emergency situation, it's important they know who to call, what to do, and where to go. Tell your guests about the Namola safety app. For foreigners, or people who are not familiar with your town, a free emergency safety app is better than any other emergency numbers you may leave. It will be a great addition to ease their mind about safety during their stay. It is also a good idea to fill out a home safety card.
Make sure that you’re insured. Even though Airbnb have host protection insurance for hosts, you may want to give your insurance company a call and check your cover. Dialdirect encourages Airbnb hosts to check out their Bed and Breakfast Insurance, which includes fire damage to buildings, loss or damage to the structure of your building and a whole lot more.
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