Self check-in can be a great asset to your Airbnb rental. Depending on the type of tenant your accommodation accommodates, autonomous arrival may be one of the ideal modes of operation for your target. Our concierge agency in Montpellier invites you here to see the different ways of integrating autonomous arrival into your rental and what this could bring and the impacts on your daily management.
Autonomous arrival: various tools to adapt to your needs
Connected locks: Connected locks, also called electronic locks with personalized access codes, are a popular way to offer self-check-in. You can generate unique codes for each traveler and revoke them after their departure but also allow temporary management for your tenants throughout their stay. Be sure to select a lock model that is not only reliable but also equipped with a long-lasting battery to avoid any hassle during your stay.
Key Box: A key safe is a simple and cost-effective way to store keys securely so travelers can collect them upon arrival. This type of key box can be mechanical, that is to say opened by a simple code like bicycle locks, or connected. In this second case, the code is for single use and must be generated then sent to your tenants, allowing them to unlock the box. Be careful here not to install this equipment outside of local regulations: the joint success of Airbnb rental and key boxes has led many municipalities to prohibit the hanging of these key safes on street furniture.
Remote control systems: Some smart homes offer the ability to control locks, lighting, heating and other equipment remotely, allowing homeowners to facilitate self-check-in. It is ultimately the connected lock model but with a more complete approach: your tenants will regain, during their stay, control of each connected element of the house: front door, back door, garage, heating, etc. More autonomy and no risk of losing the keys, in short.
Don't forget good practices:
Clear instructions: Provide detailed instructions, including photos or videos, so guests know exactly how to access your property. Whatever the system chosen, it is essential to inform the tenant and give them all the information necessary to use it. For example, don't forget that some people are less comfortable with new technologies. If your Airbnb rental regularly welcomes elderly people, who are generally less comfortable with smartphones, and you have opted for connected locks, be sure to carefully support them in getting to grips with this technology.
Remote Support : Be available to help guests in case of problems. Provide a contact number or instant messaging to answer their questions. If you use autonomous entry solutions, it is because you are certainly not available on arrival days or within a reasonable distance of your rental. Be sure to ensure your availability by messaging and telephone when tenants enter. Small hassles will be legion and you will need to assist your tenants in the event of a problem.
Be proactive: Communicate with guests before arrival to provide them with all necessary information and to ensure they have no questions. This involves sending automatic messages that immediately answer the main questions your tenants may have. This also involves exchanges via platform messaging: make sure that everything is understood and that your tenants have downloaded the application in advance if necessary. Finally, if in doubt, do not hesitate to call your tenants to answer all their questions in advance.
In our concierge agency in Montpellier, let's try to make the most reasonable use of autonomous arrival. This in the sense that, as a professional and local concierge agency, our added value lies in particular in the fact that we carry out face-to-face check-ins with tenants. Autonomous arrival is then a substitute, particularly when tenants are late. In the event that our concierges use autonomous arrival, we do everything possible to ensure that new arrivals have all the information necessary to enter the premises.
Autonomous entry provides solutions but also limits:
Self-check-in is a key part of improving the guest experience in your Airbnb rental. It offers more flexibility, comfort and security, while simplifying the management of your property. It is also important to choose a solution that your tenants can easily adopt. Also, you will need to take the lead and ensure, in advance, that your tenants have all the necessary information and understand how your solution works before they arrive on site. In short, if independent entry exempts you from being present on site, it in no way exempts you from ensuring clear and complete communication with your tenants.
