When you own a furnished tourist accommodation, seasonal rental is far from being a long calm river. Despite the many rules put in place by AirBNB to protect owners and avoid inconvenience, it sometimes happens to come across tenants who are not very delicate. So what to do to avoid inconvenience? Elements of response with our concierge La Grande-Motte.
Seasonal rental: the usual checks before the rental
Placing your accommodation for seasonal rental is the guarantee of obtaining rental income throughout the year. But it is also far from being a piece of cake as you have to be vigilant. Indeed, more and more landlords claim that their homes are degraded and ransacked by ill-intentioned tenants. In most cases, illegal parties are organized and it is during these that the damage takes place. “Many people rent AirBNBs to organize parties under the noses of the owners,” says Angélique Michel, director of our La Grande-Motte concierge.
To avoid this, remember to take a few precautions when validating (or not) a reservation. First, check the reviews left by the owners on travelers. Indeed, if it is possible to see the ratings given to an apartment by travellers, the reverse is also true. This way, you can get a first idea of the profile of your future tenant. Also check if his profile is completely filled out, and contact him from the start to make sure he is serious. Some sites like AirBNB may allow landlords to require ID and a profile photo to validate a rental, so take advantage of that.
AirBNB problems: things to know to avoid them
Provide useful numbers
When putting your property up for seasonal rental, remember to prepare a list of numbers to contact in the event of an emergency. It is sometimes possible to find magnetic lists in your mailboxes, grouping all the emergency numbers of a municipality, with other practical numbers. You can also prepare a list yourself with the contact details of a plumber, an electrician, or even a maintenance agent. If possible, also have on hand the contact details of a relative or friend to contact in case of need.
Take care of your vacation rental
Above all, do not neglect your property. If you rent it regularly, make sure between each rental that everything is fine in your accommodation. It must be kept in perfect condition and carried out the necessary tasks to anticipate and avoid any problem that may arise. For example, regularly check the operation of heating, ventilation, or even plumbing. This will save you from any incongruous problems, but it will also allow you to cover yourself in the event of damage, if you can prove that the equipment had been checked recently.
Focus on communication
Communication is a key element of your vacation rental. In order to avoid bad tenants, honesty and rigor are essential. “It is very important to inform the tenant of the slightest important element, explains Angélique Michel, from our La Grande-Motte concierge. Thus, the tenant will be tempted to do the same and to be honest too”. For example, if you have a technical problem just before a guest arrives, let them know and apologize for the inconvenience. A little extra attention will make up for any inconvenience.
Be clear and give as much information as possible
Finally, give your tenants all the necessary instructions to enjoy your accommodation. Provide a house manual with a notice for all devices that are likely to be used, or with instructions for connecting to Wi-Fi. Mention all important information in your ad and be attentive to requests for your tenants. If they need to leave or arrive at a specific time, offer them the best possible solution for everyone. The best way to get a SuperHost badge is to be considerate and make life easier in the best possible way.
Seasonal rental: don't forget your neighbors
As an AirBNB host, it's best to let your neighbors know when you plan to host guests. Do not hesitate to contact the AirBNB host clubs, which have developed good neighbor guides for travelers in order to communicate to them the best practices to have. Be aware that neighbors experiencing nuisance can file a complaint with AirBNB's Neighbor Helpline. If your neighbors show signs of concern, reassure them by explaining to them that you select the profiles who come to rent your accommodation, for example, or by showing them your house rules.
Of course, do not forget to also send a copy of your rules of procedure to your tenants when they arrive. Remember to establish clear and precise rules, and do not forget any element: rules of the building, consumption of tobacco, alcohol, or even the rules specific to pets, parties and parking. A well-drafted regulation will not necessarily avoid inconvenience but can allow you to cover yourself in the event of a problem. For example, be specific about the hours when it is forbidden to make noise. Your neighbors will thank you.
Bad tenants: what to do in the event of a problem?
Despite all your precautions, you get your accommodation in an incorrect, dirty, degraded state? Contact the police immediately to file a complaint. Report the damage to protect yourself. "You can even bring in a bailiff if the damage is too great," says Angélique Michel, director of our Concierge La Grande Motte. You can contact the tenant via AirBNB to find an amicable solution. Then prepare your documents such as the filing of a complaint or an inventory drawn up when entering the accommodation to put the odds on your side.
After 72 hours without a response from your tenant, you can involve AirBNB. The seasonal rental platform offers a systematic host guarantee for all owners who rent their property on AirBNB. This can cover the damage suffered up to a limit of up to 800 euros. Be careful however, some objects are not taken into account and are not guaranteed such as collectibles, rare works, jewelry or even pets. We don't wish it on anyone, but in the event of a negative response from AirBNB, you can send a letter of formal notice to the AirBNB offices in France in order to unblock the situation.
AirBNB problems: advice from our La Grande-Motte concierge
Are you finally ready to rent your property as a seasonal rental? For example, you can take out multi-risk home insurance to cover you in other cases that could happen to your property. "The important thing is always to talk to future tenants," says Angélique Michel, director of our La Grande-Motte concierge. And the best way to avoid problems with your seasonal rental is to cancel a reservation at the slightest doubt”. The best way to protect yourself is to be as vigilant as possible. With all these tips in hand, you have all the cards to avoid AirBNB problems.
Seasonal rentals on AirBNB can quickly become hell if you come across dishonest or even malicious tenants. However, by taking the necessary precautions before and during the rental, it is possible to save yourself a lot of problems. A spoon of communication, a hint of house rules and a pinch of anticipation will allow you to avoid bad tenants as well as possible. In the event of a problem, remember that AirBNB can cover you in the event of damage, as well as potential additional home insurance. If you were hesitating to embark on the adventure of seasonal rental, don't hesitate!
