All You Need To Know About Renting Your First Airbnb

For an authentic ‘homestay’ experience!

Travelers around India usually opt for hotels on their vacation stays. But with soaring prices and increasing hotel-restrictions, many tourists have ventured into renting apartments facilitated by the recent spread of Airbnb. Tourists, especially ones traveling with family, are looking for a more authentic, personalized cultural experience of regions they visit, and what better way to feel completely ‘at-home’ than by renting a home?

So, whether you’re looking for a budget or a luxurious stay, Airbnb has you covered. Choose from a vast selection of apartments, disseminated across the country, and embark on a trip on your own terms without compensating on either freedom or luxury.

Picking the right apartment can be a daunting task, especially for a first-timer, the following steps will ensure you select the best option for you and your family/friends on your getaway.

1. Confirm Budget/Location Preference

You must plan your budget well ahead of time, and mark specific location preferences in order to derive the maximum benefits from your homestay.

2. Carefully Analyze Pictures and Reviews

Be thorough in your research on apartments. Read the reviews carefully, and look for verified photos of the property, be aware of your concerns and needs. For instance, if you’re traveling with a child then its best to avoid places with a lot of decorations and glass or antique items as that could be potentially disastrous.

3. Contact The Host Before Booking

Even after reading reviews and checking out pictures do not request to book immediately. Contact the prospective host first and have a chat. This will give you added information absent in the property listing, while simultaneously establishing a rapport with the owner.

4. Opt for a Property with Stricter Rules

I know this sounds like the antithesis of your idea of freedom if you’re out and about with friends. But it’s better for first timers to arrange for a property with more house rules, as these tend to provide a better overall experience. Properties with lax rules and regulations might seem attractive on paper, but they might have hidden issues which the owners are unwilling to divulge.

5. Browse Options But Don’t Lead on a Host

While it is absolutely important to check out many properties without finalizing one, once you give the nod of approval to one host, it is unethical to leave him/her hanging. It is therefore courteous to let the owner know within a couple of hours to save his time as well as yours.

6. Read The Property’s Cancellation Policy

It goes without saying that one should read all the policies of prospective properties, carefully. But it is your priority as a guest to understand the host’s cancellation policy. Airbnb hosts can avail five different cancellation policies. For instance, “Flexible,” means that if you cancel more than 24 hours in advance, you won’t be charged for the room rate night—only the service fees; however, “Super Strict” means even if you cancel way ahead, you will only get a 50 percent refund.

7. Be Upfront About The Number of Guests

Inform the host about the number of guests who’ll be occupying his property. It is better to inform the host beforehand, if you’re planning to bring extra guests.

8. Respect Your Host’s Property

As you would’ve already read the property rules, you would know the host’s fundamental requirements. Respect those rules. If your host wants his/her house to be clean, do so!

9. Lastly, Remember That This is Not a Hotel

Do not expect the kind of amenities offered by hotels, in someone’s home. Always keep in mind that you’re paying for a different kind of experience. If your host has rules in place about timings, try to stick to them as much as you can.

Keep these basic tips in mind, while renting an Airbnb and you’re all set to enjoy the home-stay experience. Have a great time!