Hosting your house on Airbnb: what you need to know

Airbnb has become a hot topic in recent years, especially in Cape Town. Some love the concept of earning some money from spare rooms and empty cottages on their properties, others opt to list their houses for holidaymakers rather than local renters. On the other hand, there are those who think that Airbnb is wreaking havoc with the Capetonian property market.

Whatever your stance, Airbnb is likely to be around for much longer as the concept of a shared economy sweeps the world. So if you support the idea, here are a few things you need to know before listing your property on Airbnb.

Know the local laws

Airbnb hosts need to be aware of the rules and regulations that apply to them before listing their properties on the app. Firstly, you need to make sure that you can legally list your property in accordance with local zoning regulations. You can consult the Home Owners Association if you are unsure.

Although Cape Town and other South African cities do not have specific Airbnb by-laws yet, it’s still advisable to contact the right authorities to double check that you’re allowed to list your property on the app.

Secondly, remember that any money earned from Airbnb will be taxed. The amount deductible will depend on how much income you’ve earned from hosting your property. Chat with a tax consultant beforehand and find out the most efficient way to declare your Airbnb income for tax purposes.

Set your own property rules with the help of Airbnb

Each property listed on Airbnb comes with its own set of rules that guests must abide by. It makes the experience more pleasant for both the guests and the host. Airbnb provides some guidelines for setting house rules, so pay attention to these and try to incorporate them into your own rules.

These rules outline areas and amenities that guests can use and those that are out of bounds. This is especially important in homes that are shared with guests. Make sure your guests know when to turn off loud music, and when they can have visitors around.

You can also set general rules that tell the guests how you expect them to behave and how to conserve water. Cape Town’s dams may be filling up but the city has not lifted water restrictions yet. You can ask your guests to minimise shower time and toilet flushing or to turn off taps when washing dishes.

Be mindful of the neighbours

You need to be mindful of your neighbours - especially in Cape Town where houses or apartments are often in close proximity to one another. Ensure your guests’ noise level is kept low.

Remember that your neighbours didn’t choose to live next door to a bed and breakfast, so as an Airbnb host, you need to look after your neighbours too in your set of rules. You can include in the rules quiet hours and clauses around rowdy visitors or pets.

Try to be fair and set a balance between guest experience and neighbour happiness. Before you list your property, meet with your neighbours and chat with them about their thoughts and concerns. Tell them that you won’t tolerate noisy guests and that they must contact you if they are unhappy at any time.

Think like a B&B owner

One of the main goals of Airbnb is to open your home to tourists and offer them a more enriching experience of Cape Town. Think what a good bed and breakfast will offer and do the same.

Place brochures in the bedrooms with maps and activities that guests can try, so that they can carry these with them when they explore. Place a locally-made chocolate or toffee on their pillow. Maybe give them a decent bottle of wine when they leave to thank them for choosing your home from the thousands available.

When your guests are on their way, send them local weather information for the day. You can also send them the number of a nearby restaurant or cafe so that they can make a lunch reservation. Offer tea and coffee on their arrival and keep some in the house so that they can make their own.

These small gestures will be much appreciated and will make their experience a lot better. Not to mention, it could also persuade them to rate your home higher on the app. Keep your property clean and tidy at all times - offer a cleaning service if guests want it.

The higher your ratings and reviews, the more guests you will attract in the future. A little bit of effort goes a long way with Airbnb, so be courteous and on-hand at all times to serve your guests.

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Allow us to provide you with our expert knowledge on the Tokai, Kirstenhof, Bergvliet, Meadowridge area, ensuring you have the most accurate information and support when buying or selling your property. Contact us on +27(0)21 794 5252. We are here to ensure that you prosper through property!

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