What’s expected of hosts?
We want to give you clear guidance so you know what’s expected and can provide a 5-star stay every time you share your home. We ask all hosts to meet four basic requirements: overall rating, response rate, cancellations and acceptance of reservations. Beyond the basics, you’ll also get reviewed by guests who stay with you.
Basic requirements
To help create comfortable, reliable stays for guests, all homes and hosts must meet four basic requirements.
Be responsive
Responding quickly when guests reach out shows that you’re an attentive and considerate host. How frequently and quickly you respond to reservation requests and booking inquiries. We ask hosts to respond to these types of messages within 24 hours.
Accept reservation requests
No guest likes to have to send 4 or 5 requests to find an available place so we expect that if your calendar shows you’re free, you accept most requests. Make sure your listing’s calendar reflects the days you’re able to host. This way you’re more likely to get reservation requests that you can accommodate. You can use your availability settings to block time off between bookings, or to prevent requests for same-day reservations or reservations too far in the future.
Avoid cancelling on guests
We take cancellations seriously and ask all hosts to avoid cancelling on guests–their travel plans depend on it! You’ll be subject to penalties, including financial penalties, if you cancel a confirmed booking. We ask that you avoid canceling confirmed bookings unless there are extenuating circumstances
Get positive reviews on Yelp, Google, Facebook, etc
Guests like to know they can expect a consistent level of quality, no matter where they book. At the end of each stay, guests will review their experience with you, which is one of the ways we evaluate you as a host.
We’ve found that hosts who get great reviews tend to focus on five things: cleanliness, essential amenities, accurate listing details, a smooth check-in, and proactive communication.
Cleanliness
Guests will expect the clean and tidy space they see in your listing photos. Make sure you give yourself enough time to clean between guests, especially when you have back-to-back bookings. Guests will have the opportunity to rate the cleanliness of your space, and the average of your ratings will appear on your listing page.
What's Expected:
- Clean every room guests can access, especially bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen
- Check that there’s no hair, dust, or mold on surfaces and floors
- Perform turnover between each stay:
- Provide fresh linens/sheets and towels for guests
- Clear trash, food, and leftover items from previous guests
Tips:
- Space out your bookings to give yourself more time to prep between guests. You can update your reservation preferences to block a night or two before reservations
- Charge a cleaning fee and use the extra money to pay for cleaning supplies or hire a professional cleaning service
- Leave cleaning supplies in your space so your guests can take care of spills and accidental messes
Accurate listing details
Setting the right expectations before a trip can contribute to a better experience for both you and your guests. You can help travelers decide if your space meets their needs by providing clear info and must-know details like whether you allow pets. A detailed listing and profile helps attract the guests who are looking for a place just like yours. Guests will have the opportunity to rate the accuracy of the information you provide.
What's Expected:
- Accurate and up-to-date address (this will be shared only after guest has booked)
- Bedroom and bathroom privacy details are accurate
- Listing photos fairly represent the condition and layout of the space
- Amenities are as advertised, present and functional
Tips:
- Use a variety of high-quality photos with captions and write a detailed description of the space
- Provide House Rules that address situations that will matter to your guests. Your rules can provide clarity around what you do and don’t allow, like smoking, pets, or additional visitors.
- Let guests know if there are parts of the listing that are off-limits, like a garage or the attic
- Be honest about unexpected factors that will impact your guests’ stay. Your guests deserve to know if your neighbors just started a noisy construction project or if they’ll have to climb 8 flights of stairs to get to your place
Amenities:
List all the amenities you offer and make sure each one is available and operational
Nightly Price
Make sure your space matches the price you set. A very high price may lead travelers to assume your listing is extra luxurious. Need help? Try looking at other listings in your area or turn on Smart Pricing.
Easy check-in
A clear and simple check-in process will help put your guests at ease after a day of traveling. Guests will be asked to rate their check-in experience at the end of their stay.
Tips:
- Create a check-in guide for your listing–we’ll share it with your guests 24 hours before check-in so they have everything they need to arrive smoothly
- If you plan to meet guests in person, make sure to coordinate a check-in time in advance
- If you offer self check-in, add those details in the Guest resources section of your listing
- Make sure your guests know how to contact you if they have a travel delay or last-minute question
- Provide your guests with detailed directions for getting to your place—you can save time by putting it all in your house manual
Supporting guests during their stay
Whether or not you’re staying in the space with your guests, it’s important to remain available throughout their stay. Your guests will have the opportunity to rate the clarity and consistency of your communication at the end of their stay—and the average of these guest ratings will appear on your listing page.
Tips:
- Be proactive in your communication so guests know you’re available. Reach out early to coordinate arrival plans. If you won’t be greeting your guests when they arrive, you can send them a message at their check-in time to make sure everything went smoothly.
- If you confirm a reservation and something about your listing changes, tell your guest in advance.
- If you won’t be in the area during their stay, you can give your guests a local point of contact.