Airbnb is a great solution for any vacation, whether you’re traveling with a company or alone. You can always find a property suitable for your needs, unlike in hotels, where you’re limited to one room only. However, both Airbnb and hotels have their own advantages and disadvantages. And when it comes to Airbnb, the question of safety is of utmost importance. You never know what hosts you’ll get, whether the property matches the description on the website, or if it even exists (beware of scammers!).
So, what are some of the safety tips that you should know before booking an Airbnb? Let’s take a look.
6 Safety Tips for Airbnb Renters
1. Research the Host
Before booking an Airbnb, it’s wise to learn more about the host, especially if you’re renting a room and they’ll be in the house with you. It’ll also help you understand if they’re lying about certain aspects of their property or other issues.
To research a host, simply run a background check on them. After you do, you’ll learn everything there’s to know about them, such as their contact information, address history, professional details, and if they have any criminal records.
Apart from this, a background check will show you information about the property, including the year it was built, its dwelling type, and more.
2. Carefully Read the Reviews
If you don’t read the reviews before booking a property, you’re compromising your safety. Very low ratings or negative reviews are clear signs that an Airbnb should be avoided at all costs. On the other hand, it’s also important to be careful if all the reviews are positive, as they can be bought.
Carefully go through the reviews and see if there are similarities between them. If there are, there’s a high chance that they aren’t real.
Genuine reviews aren’t similar. Instead, they look authentic. If you have any doubts, it’s wise to contact the people who wrote them and ask for more details about the property.
3. Communicate With the Host and Make Payments Only on the Official Website
All communication with the host regarding the property rental must be made on the official Airbnb website. If you decide to book it and pay, it must also be made through the official platform. This is so that if something goes wrong, Airbnb can intervene and resolve the issue.
On the other hand, if communication is through unofficial channels, such as social media or messengers, resolving the problem will become much more difficult. In some instances, it may even be impossible.
You should know that if the host isn’t willing to communicate on the Airbnb website and asks you to change the platform, there’s a high possibility that they don’t want to deal with the consequences and have something to hide. They can, for instance, be scammers. Your safety and your family’s may be at risk with a scamming Airbnb host.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
When you know that you’re ready to book an Airbnb, you should start asking questions, such as:
- Is the listing description accurate?
- What’s the check-in and check-out process like?
- How close is the property to public transportation?
- Is the neighborhood safe?
- Are there any nearby restaurants, grocery stores, or pharmacies?
- What’s the policy if something breaks or goes wrong during the stay?
- Is the property child-friendly or pet-friendly (if applicable)?
- Are there any restrictions on using common areas (if shared)?
- Are there fire distinguishers, first-aid kits, smoke detectors, and carbon monoxide alarms?
- Are the doors and windows equipped with secure locks?
And, other questions that you find important. It’s especially important to ask these questions if they aren’t mentioned in the listing of the property.
By asking them, you safeguard yourself from potential, sometimes life-threatening, hazards.
5. Prepare for the Unexpected
Even if the communication went smoothly and everything seemed pretty well, it’s necessary to be prepared for unexpected emergencies. Not all hosts are honest, unfortunately. They can lie or exaggerate, which can lead to you being unsatisfied, as you expected a completely different scenario.
One of the examples is the property not being equipped with what’s been mentioned in the listing. Imagine you come there and don’t spot, let’s say, fire distinguishers or smoke detectors. This isn’t only unpleasant but also life-threatening and shouldn’t be ignored.
In this case, it’s important to contact the host and ask about the issue. If they’re unresponsive, it’s necessary to contact the Airbnb platform directly and report the issue.
6. Have Emergency Contacts Ready
To make your stay stress-free, make sure you have the contact numbers for local emergency services, including:
- 911: the universal emergency number for police, fire, and medical emergencies.
- 311: for non-emergency situations, such as noise complaints, public service issues, or city-related questions (varies by location).
- 1-800-222-1222: for help with poisoning emergencies or exposure to toxic substances.
- 1-800-799-7233: for support and resources related to domestic violence.
To ensure you have all the contacts ready, research the area you’re going to and note down the numbers of the local services.
Airbnb is a safe and convenient option that, when prepared for, can give hotels a run for their money. Whether you’re traveling or just staying at a certain location, sometimes booking an Airbnb is the most effective solution.
However, to make the renting process as smooth as possible, it’s necessary to prepare carefully.
By researching the host, reading the reviews, communicating only on the official platform, asking questions, preparing for emergencies, and having contacts for local emergency services ready, you protect yourself from many potential threats. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
This is a sponsored post by Viacon Marketing And Technologies. All reviews and opinions expressed in this post are not based on the views and opinions of Tomorrow’s World Today.
