Should I host for the first time when I am out of the country?
September 9, 2015 4:34 AM Subscribe
I've seen other posts about this but my situation is a little specific.
I am going to be out of the country for a month in a few weeks. I just moved in about a month ago to a new-ish studio in a great location in Sydney. I will probably post a listing in a week or so, and I am leaving the country in about three weeks.
Question for the green - is this a good idea or should I just not bother?
Concerns:
--Have never hosted before and don't know what liabilities I am getting myself into. I will lock up my valuables into a cabinet but I still feel a little weird that someone else will be in my house. I scanned my lease and I see nothing preventing me from subletting or using Airbnb.
--I will be out of the country likely before they arrive. I don't know logistically how I can get the keys to them. I guess I can hire someone? But that seems to be logistically opening up a can of worms. It's an apartment building so I can't really hide it. Also, I will be in a very different time zone (SF) so I may not be immediately getting back to them if they ever have issues.
--If I only have two weeks posting before I depart for a month, is that not enough time to have people booking? My apt will be priced really reasonably (and prob below market) and in a great location, but there will be no reviews as it's my first time. It seems like a ton of effort and stress for me to post and clean the apt before traveling if I am not even sure if it will be occupied.
Pros:
-I am gone for a whole month and think I can make a fair amount of money - and as a guest I've always loved Airbnb.
Question for the green - is this a good idea or should I just not bother?
Concerns:
--Have never hosted before and don't know what liabilities I am getting myself into. I will lock up my valuables into a cabinet but I still feel a little weird that someone else will be in my house. I scanned my lease and I see nothing preventing me from subletting or using Airbnb.
--I will be out of the country likely before they arrive. I don't know logistically how I can get the keys to them. I guess I can hire someone? But that seems to be logistically opening up a can of worms. It's an apartment building so I can't really hide it. Also, I will be in a very different time zone (SF) so I may not be immediately getting back to them if they ever have issues.
--If I only have two weeks posting before I depart for a month, is that not enough time to have people booking? My apt will be priced really reasonably (and prob below market) and in a great location, but there will be no reviews as it's my first time. It seems like a ton of effort and stress for me to post and clean the apt before traveling if I am not even sure if it will be occupied.
Pros:
-I am gone for a whole month and think I can make a fair amount of money - and as a guest I've always loved Airbnb.
You have so many concerns that I think you shouldn't bother.
posted by Kwadeng at 6:08 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Kwadeng at 6:08 AM on September 9, 2015 [1 favorite]
As a Airbnb host, I don't think you should do this. I would test it out when you get back (host and stay at a friend's place for a weekend)?
posted by sandmanwv at 7:20 AM on September 9, 2015
posted by sandmanwv at 7:20 AM on September 9, 2015
Put your valuables somewhere better than a locked cabinet if they are actually valuable - store them at a friends or put them in small storage somewhere. A month is about 30.9 days more that it would take a determined person to pick a lock.
Other than that I say go for it.
posted by srboisvert at 9:09 AM on September 9, 2015
Other than that I say go for it.
posted by srboisvert at 9:09 AM on September 9, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
We had family members do this with a cabin, and they visited with us. The cabin had water pressure issues and they called upon a nearby friend to sort things out, but we're talking about having to issue a refund, and it made their time with us a little distracted. They were hours away and working things out by phone. It was one of their first rentals (they own the place, and were very familiar with it having built it and stayed in it over the years previously.
Think about more than key delivery.
posted by childofTethys at 5:05 AM on September 9, 2015