If you travel frequently, you may have considered renting your house out whilst you’re away.
Renting out your house while you’re on holiday allows you to generate extra income which can be used to cover your bills or contribute to the cost of your trip.
As well as this, you have the added benefit of having someone looking after your home rather than it being left empty.
Some people even choose to offer a discounted rental rate for the inclusion of pet sitting too, allowing your pets to be able to stay in an environment they’re comfortable with.
If you have never rented out your home before, it can be hard to know how to best prepare for guests. Here are some tips to get you started.
It is worth noting that if you are going to be renting to people you don’t know and plan on using a platform such as Air BnB, there will be specific rules to follow and insurance you should obtain before proceeding with preparing your home.
AirBnB Tips For Getting Your House Ready
Pack away
It goes without saying that you should make sure your house is clean before you go away and host guests. As well as doing a deep clean, it is important to pack away all your possessions to ensure they aren’t in the way.
No one wants to stay in a cluttered home. This doesn’t mean that you have to remove all evidence of your existence, but just ensure anything guests won’t be using or that you don’t want them to have access to is safely out of the way.
If you plan on renting out your home regularly, then you should make sure your house is well-equipped for this. For example, having fitted wardrobes installed or switching out beds for ones with storage underneath.
Leave instructions
Every house has its own quirks, and it is important to address these to ensure your guests have a pleasant stay. Do a walk-through of your home and consider what a potential guest might need to know.
This should cover everyday basics such as how to use the shower and which keys are used for different doors, as well as what to do should there be an emergency, for example, the number of a 24-hour plumber or where your fuse box can be located.
It is useful to issue these instructions digitally ahead of the stay, as well as leaving a physical copy of them at the property.
Stock up on essentials
Finally, you should ensure your home is stocked up with the essentials needed for a stay such as toilet paper and fresh towels.
If you want to go the extra mile, it is also nice to include none essentials such as tea bags, milk, and some sweet treats. This can go a long way with guests, particularly if they have travelled a long way to get to your home.