Airbnb is a great way to save money on accommodation when you travel out – but there are some things you should be aware of before renting an accommodation.
Airbnb is a website where you can rent accommodation through private individuals when you travel. It’s often cheaper than staying in a hotel, and you get up close and personal with the locals because you’re living side by side with the landlord in their home, or staying there alone but still in their neighborhood.
The advantages are many, but there are also disadvantages and things you need to pay special attention to if you want to rent through Airbnb.
Before booking
If you’re going on holiday and are considering renting your accommodation through Airbnb, it’s a good idea to do some research on the landlord before you rent. Also important, make sure you know your essential Airbnb packing list, as it differs from the usual holiday packing list.
1. History of the host
You need to look at the landlord’s history. Landlords on Airbnb rely heavily on the reviews they’ve received, and you should check through those. And you shouldn’t just read them, you should also be critical.
If you come across reviews or phrases that you wonder about or don’t like, contact the landlord for more information or simply turn your attention to another property.
2. Talk to your host
It may be a good idea to talk to the landlord before you book the property. That way you can talk about times and keys, while getting a good feel for the host. You won’t get the same feeling from an email or text message.
3. You get what you pay for
Is the home cheap, or is it a little too cheap? Cheap accommodation is obviously good, but if someone is renting their home much more cheaply than anyone else, you need to consider whether there is something going on underneath. Some prices are too good to be true.
Considering other booking platforms as well? Check the differences between VRBO and Airbnb.
4. Try contacting previous guests
If you have any doubts about the accommodation, you can contact previous guests for clarification. You can search for them on Facebook and contact them, or you can ask the landlord for references.
5. Exaggeration can happen
Exaggeration can occur in the descriptions of the property and it is especially the area where the property is located that you should pay attention to. When the host says that the property is central and close to something, you should check and research extra knowledge about the area by searching the street name, looking at maps and reading about the area elsewhere on the web.
BUT of course there is also no need to comb over out of caution and spend too much energy on research. Worries can take the joy out of travelling, but a little thought and common sense can’t hurt.
DURING THE STAY
If the unfortunate happens that a bad or downright unpleasant situation arises during your stay in an accommodation you rented through Airbnb, there are several options to solve it in a reasonable way.
1. Need to pack up early?
If you are asked to leave early, keep a cool head and be polite to the host. You won’t get anywhere by getting angry, but have a chat about why you need to leave.
There may be several reasons why you are being asked to leave. If you haven’t behaved properly and broken their rules or boundaries, you’re on your own. But you may also be a good and kind tenant who has had the misfortune to rent from people who don’t have their affairs in order. If that’s the case, accept that you need to get out, because who wants to stay with people who don’t have their act together?
2. Problems between you and the host
If problems arise during your stay that you can’t resolve with the landlord, try contacting Airbnb for guidance. Search for their contact information online, and also write it down before you leave so you have it with you.
3. Last minute cancellations
Sometimes a booking is cancelled shortly before you are supposed to be “moved in” and you have to take that in stride. If you have already paid in advance, it may take some time before the money is returned to you. Therefore, you should always have extra money in your pocket to spend on a new booking or hotel.
4. Unplesant sittuations
If you don’t like your accommodation or an unpleasant situation arises, you can always book a new accommodation and move. It’s better than ruining your holiday with one stupid experience, and the new place will probably live up to all your expectations, because luckily most people have good experiences with Airbnb.
If you choose accommodation through Airbnb, be aware and accept that you can’t be sure of what you’re getting into. Even if the weather is warm, you cannot be guaranteed that the apartment has an air cooler or aircon. It can be the best experience ever, but you can also be unlucky.
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HAVE YOU BOOKED WITH AIRBNB?
Share your good (or not so good) experiences with airbnb here. How was your stay? How was the host? What was the best thing about using Airbnb?
