You’ve got your trip planned, plane ticket handy, and your lodging all set at your Airbnb. But have you ever wondered what some of the best practices are to observe as an Airbnb guest, especially in this current Covid-era? We’ll have you armed with awesome tips that will have you on your way to those 5-star reviews in no time!

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Communicate! If location is the watchword of real estate, then communication is the Airbnb equivalent. Anything can be navigated with clear and proper communication, so let that be your mindset as a great Airbnb guest! Arriving late, arriving early, or seeking to have early luggage drop-off? Communicate with your host. Do you need certain accommodations that you forgot to settle? Ask/inform your host.

Have you found your accommodations lacking in some way? Can’t figure out how to turn the TV on? Let your host know. I have personally experienced both a cleanliness and noise issue with separate Airbnbs. Upon informing the hosts politely of the issues, each were swift to remedy the problems. I felt valued as a customer and they felt appreciative of my honest yet respectful communication.

A good host will be willing to do what they can to assist a guest—they want those five stars too! And remember kindness goes a long way. Be an amazing guest and communicate!

Treat it like your home. You’re on vacay so that means no cleaning, right? Yes and no. True, you’ve chosen an Airbnb to get away from normal chores but that doesn’t mean it’s time to be an animal. It’s vital to remember these properties belong to individuals and as their financial investment.

Enjoy a weekend of no laundry or changing sheets but throw your trash in the trash can, place dishes in the dishwasher and run it before you leave. Take your personal items with you at check-out and leave the environment in the tidy state you found it.

Be considerate of other lodgers. When staying in shared spaces be mindful by keeping personal items in your room and maintaining cleanliness in common areas. Observe general quiet hours in the early morning and late at night to be respectful of others. Treating others as you’d like to be treated is as necessary now as it was in formative years. 

If your host has specific instructions about garbage removal, placement of dirty linens, or thermostat settings be careful to observe their instructions. Be sure to turn off lights before leaving and leave at proper check-out time. Make them glad they had you at their location and excited to have you return!

Follow guest regulations. Covid has changed just about everything, including Airbnbs. One thing in particular is No parties allowed. And no, this isn’t a Berenstain Bears title but an actual rule. This goes for all Airbnb guests globally. If you have booked your stay, have a blast! But sans soiree. Sorry.

Attempting sneak parties is not recommended. When found out, violators will be subject to suspension or removal from Airbnb’s platform altogether. It’s not worth the risk! The rule is in place for safety reasons, so put those party hats away for now. For large parties in general, 16 guests are the max allowed at any Airbnb that can accommodate that amount.

Furthermore, Airbnb does not allow third party bookings. If you are wanting to book a stay for another individual, that is not permitted. Persons staying at the Airbnb must be those specified on the reservation with no additions or supplications. Keep it simple and have all your guests (including you) be the only ones on your reservation and the only ones present at your Airbnb.

Write a review: the good, bad, and the ugly. Here we circle back to our lovely communication friend but, specifically, you’re taking the time to let your host know what you loved about their property and customer service. Your reviews help them better their job as hosts and inform future travelers of what they may be getting into with that Airbnb—for better or worse.

Your review can be a gamechanger for a future guest and can be crucial to help your host improve or to know where they’re excelling. This is also a great opportunity to thank them. Your voice matters here so let Airbnb, your host, and future guests know what you loved, maybe didn’t love, or would like to see improved in the future. Help us help you! Do remember though: Airbnb ratings will have a major impact on hosts who rely solely on the Airbnb platform. What does that mean exactly? Did you know that Airbnb actually has minimum thresholds for host and property ratings? If a host falls into the lower 4 star rating area, they are actually treated differently by the Airbnb company. Hosts who are in the lower 4 star rating area (or below) will show up less frequently in search results, will typically get less bookings, will wait longer to get problems fixed with Airbnb customer service, and may even get their listings removed from the Airbnb website all-together. Why do we mention this? Because in the eyes of Airbnb, essentially anything under 4 stars is treated as a failure and will affect the host negatively. Please, if a host handled maintenance promptly, communicated well, and gave you a nice place to stay… leave 5 stars in the review area. Send a private message with suggestions and for concerns outside of the host’s control. Your host will thank you, and welcome you back.

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Airbnb trips can be more enjoyable all around if you as a guest can be intentional to follow these handy tips. Your host will love you for it and your future hosts will welcome you as that 5-star guest of their dreams. Happy travels and stay safe!