First-time Airbnb host tips and tricks ahead of the Super Bowl
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The Airbnb market is popping off this week as fans arrive in town to take advantage of the festivities.
Why it matters: Airbnb prohibits open-invite parties in rentals, and San Francisco itself has stringent rules for short-term rentals, so here are some tips if it's your first time renting out your home.
The big picture: Searches for stays in Santa Clara during the Super Bowl have increased 150 times compared with the same period last year, according to Airbnb data provided to Axios.
- They've also increased by more than 400% in Oakland and 150% in San Francisco.
- Top cities of origin for out-of-town guest searches include Los Angeles, Seattle and Sacramento.
What they're saying: "It's very important to set the guest expectation early on," Peter Kwan, a 14-year Airbnb host who rents out a room in his North Beach home, tells Axios.
- "Everybody's home is different, so it's not like going into a chain hotel where you can expect a consistent standard."
State of play: Communication is key. Make sure you alert your guests to rules regarding noise, gatherings and parking before and when they check in. Providing a physical copy of the rules can help.
- Be as specific with your language as possible, such as specifying the number of guests allowed and tow zones.
- Prepare for potential messes, such as extra trash and spills, by using stain-resistant fabrics, Scotchgard, disposable covers or extra trash bins. Lock all owner-only spaces.
- You can also choose to let guests know they'll be responsible for purchasing more paper towels and other cleaning supplies if they go through the ones you provide.
- Keep extra sets of bedding and towels on the premises so you won't have to respond to last-minute requests.
- Send a polite but explicit game-day reminder: "No parties, events or gatherings — even if you're not attending the game."
- You can still suggest local sports bars or other public spaces for watching the game, Kwan notes.
Pro tip: Keep all your interactions on the Airbnb app so the company can respond quickly if you need extra support.
- Airbnb operates a 24-hour safety line for hosts and guests to directly reach its team.