Airbnb etiquette: 10 tips for guests

Airbnb etiquette: 10 tips for guests

From sharing bathrooms to tipping hosts, we break down proper Airbnb etiquette so you can be a great guest

As we travel around the world, we plan to use the vacation rental site Airbnb for much of our accommodation.

I've been hosting for almost three years and have developed a keen sense of what constitutes good Airbnb etiquette. Here I share 10 essential tips to help you be a great guest.

1. Read the entire list - and use the calendar!

Hosts are happy to help guests find restaurants or activities that suit their tastes. We want you to have a great time in our city and of course we want you to visit us again!

What we hate is when users message us asking “Is your spot available?” send. or 'Is there public transport?' or 'how far is the train station?' or anything that can be answered by a cursory glance at the listing description.

We've spent time and effort putting together our descriptions and the calendar is right there, so these types of questions can be time-consuming and frustrating.

If you need information not included in the description, be sure to message the host, but please read the listing first.

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2. Introductory messages: to do or not to do?

If you have a complete profile and one or two good reviews, you do not need to send an introductory message before booking unless the host specifically requests it in the listing description.

If you're really embarrassed about staying with someone without exchanging pleasantries first, then that's fine, but don't feel like you have to take it for granted.

Instead, make a booking request and add an introductory note. This will be sufficient for most hosts.

3. Don't ask for cash payment

Yes, I know the Airbnb fee is annoying. It's pretty intense (for both you and me) and we'd both be richer if we paid cash, but please don't ask.

The Airbnb fee is designed to protect guests and hosts in terms of both monetary insurance and personal safety. Let's just follow the rules, okay?

4. Book quickly after your request

If your host promised to reserve your dates for a short time or offered you a special rate, don't leave them hanging for hours.

Complete your booking as soon as possible. It's obvious to us when guests have sent tons of emails to many hosts and are waiting for the best deal.

We understand and appreciate that you value value for money, but if we hold a few appointments for you, it would be rude to leave us hanging.

5. Let your host know if you are running late

Try to give your host a clear idea of ​​when you will arrive. They may have plans that they need to adjust around you or, if they don't stay in the same place, they may need to travel to their overnight location.

So if you said you would arrive at 8:00 p.m. and it actually looks like it will be 10:00 p.m., be sure to let your host know. Apologize for the delay and let them know you appreciate their flexibility.

6. Remember that it is not a hotel

I don't know about you, but when I'm in a hotel, I walk around in my robe and feel like royalty. Everything is immaculate when I arrive and less so when I leave. However, in an Airbnb situation, you have to remember that you are in someone's home.

This means that a) not everything is as immaculate as in a hotel because people actually live there and b) there is no maid to clean up after guests.

We certainly do not expect you to clean the apartment upon your departure, but a reasonable level of cleanliness is appreciated - particularly if you have not been charged a cleaning fee.

7. Ask for a bathroom plan

If you share a house instead of booking a whole house/apartment, you may end up sharing a bathroom. In this case, good Airbnb etiquette is to ask if the host needs it at certain times.

Chances are good that they are working while you are on vacation. So if they need to go to the bathroom half an hour before work in the morning, they will really appreciate it if you let them do it.

8. Tell the host if something is wrong

If you are dissatisfied with something, let the host know as early as possible. Most of us will bend over backwards to help our guests, so please be honest if something is wrong. What you shouldn't do is stay silent about an issue and only mention it in your post-stay review.

Many hosts rely on Airbnb to pay their mortgage, so it's important that their guests are happy. By all means mention it in your review if your complaint isn't handled fairly, but please don't pretend everything is fine just to complain later.

9. Be considerate of additional guests

If you book a room for one person, don't assume that someone else can stay with you - especially if you share the house with your host.

If it's a long stay and you've gotten to know them, it might be okay to ask if they mind you inviting a guest.

However, this is a bit cheeky for a short stay, especially since many hosts charge for a second guest.

10. Leave a review (quickly)

This is obvious, but if a host has opened their home to you, they will greatly appreciate it if you leave a review shortly after your stay. Try to leave more than one line and include your opinion not only about the home but also about the host.

If you have a complaint, make sure you are fair and moderate in your criticism. As mentioned above, many hosts rely on Airbnb for their livelihood, so keep that in mind.

Bonus Tip: Should I tip my Airbnb host?

This question has been coming up again and again since we published this post on Airbnb etiquette. The short answer is: No, you should not tip your Airbnb host.

Tipping is a way to show appreciation for good service, but Airbnb hosts don't see what they do as a service per se - rather, they're sharing their home with you as an equal.

You and they coexist in the same space; They do not “serve” you in the same way that hotel staff might. Therefore, there is no need to tip them.

If you want to show your appreciation, a small gift like a box of chocolates or even just a note would be more appropriate.

All in all, Airbnb is a fantastic way to discover new places at a fraction of the cost of large hotels. If you use common sense and follow Airbnb etiquette, you'll find this is a fantastic way to experience a new city, usually at unbeatable value for money.

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