Renting a room or home for a short period of time (around a week) is becoming increasingly popular. With websites such as Airbnb, FlipKey, HomeAway, and VRBO (Vacation Rentals by Owner), they are giving the opportunity for people to rent out a room in their house for a short period of time. Like booking a hotel room, you’re just booking a room in someone’s home. If you’re renting out a room, it’s a great way to meet people around the world and to earn some money. If you’re renting a room, it’s usually cheaper than a hotel room. If you want to rent your room, here are some tips on how to prepare your home for short-term rentals.
Clean your home
Imagine if you were going to a hotel and when you entered the room, it was dirty. The same goes for renting out a room. You’re going to want your house to be
sparkling clean, particularly the bathroom, kitchen, and the room you’re renting out. Some people hire a cleaning service to make sure everything is as clean as possible. You’ll want your floors clean enough to eat off of. Here are some things you should do to make your house spick and span:
- Change sheets and pillowcases
- Vacuum
- Wash floors
- Clean appliances
- Empty waste baskets
- Change towels in the bathroom
Fix any hazards
You don’t want your guests to get injured while they are staying at your home. Make sure to fix any exposed wires or loose stair railings. If someone got hurt at your home, it could be a legal nightmare. It’s best to go around your home and examine every inch to see if anyone can get hurt. Fixing any hazards isn’t just good for your guests, it’s good for you as well. You should be safe in your own home.
Lock up your valuables
It’s a good idea to check references and profiles of renters, if it’s available. It’ll give you a good idea about what kind of person they are. Even though they may seem trustworthy, it’s still a good idea to lock up any valuables. You should gather
anything of value, which includes artwork, jewellery, passports, etc., and place them in a locked closet. You can also bring the items to a family member’s, a friend’s house, or even a storage unit while you’re renting out a room. It would be at tragedy if someone stole all your valuable belongings. If you’re not going to be at your home while you’re renting it out, you should also have your mail held at the post office until you get back or ask your one of your neighbors to pick it up.
Equip your house for the quests
To make sure you get good reviews and that people continue to rent from you, you’ll want your home to feel like a hotel. You’re should provide your guests with any amenities that you think they will need. Here are some items you should make sure you have ready for your short-term guests:
- Clean towels and linens
- Extra blankets
- Ironing board and iron
- Cleaning supplies
- Basic toiletries
- Remotes to operate and the TV and other devices
It’s also a good idea to make sure your kitchen is stocked with all the cooking basics and you have enough pots and pans for your guests to cook whatever they'd like. You can go the extra step by providing DVDs, playing cards, and
board games as entertainment for them as well.
House rules
By creating some rules for your home, it will give your guests an idea of what they can and can’t do while staying in your home. If you don’t want them smoking, you should include that in the rules. Or if you don’t mind smoking, you should give them designated areas to smoke. If you want your guests to stay out of certain rooms, like the basement, that should also be included in your house rules. When you’re done renting your home, you’ll want it to be in the condition you first left it in; creating rules will make sure of that.
Check in instructions
Another good idea is to create a check-in booklet for your guests. It will provide them with information to get the most of out of their stay. Here’s what you should include:
- Contact info. This includes your personal info in case of questions and any emergency numbers.
- Wi-Fi password. This will help your guests stay connected to the internet.
- Neighbourhood guide. This can include local restaurants, parks, stores, and any other place of interest in the neighbourhood.
- How-to for appliances. You should leave instructions on how to use the washer, dryer, dishwasher, television remotes, stove, heating and air condition systems, and any security systems.