Letting out your spare room, or even a property you may own that you don’t actively live in, is one of the most well known ways to make some money. A lot of people become landlords full time, and it’s where all of their income comes from, but for now, it might just be a potential side hustle for you. But if you want this hustle to work out right, you need to be a credible source of accommodation.
Sure, you’ve got a sparkling new home, or a newly renovated room to show off and make some money with, but how do you go about becoming one of the credible short term lets in your area? We’ve listed some of the most important points to keep in mind below.
Is Your Property Tidy?
You need to make a good first impression at all times. One of the best ways to ensure that people think of you as a credible landlord, or AirBnB owner, is to keep your accommodation as tidy as possible. Appearances are everything in this kind of side hustle!
Most of all, be sure to tidy up properly when people leave, in a deep cleaning kind of way. Pull some gloves and make sure you disinfect all the surfaces, including the floor, and make sure the place is aired out and properly dried for when the next guests are supposed to arrive.
Is Your Property Secure?
Your property needs to be secure, with clearly marked entrances and exits, that are only accessible to the person renting the room or property. It’s why something like an airbnb noise detector is so popular these days; if you can keep track of external sounds during both peak and low hours, that could pose a threat to the safety of your tenants or guests, you’re going to feel much more in control.
So, do some little things to keep your property safe. Make sure the locks are changed regularly, if you live in a high traffic area. Make sure the wifi password is handed out securely, and also changed regularly when guests leave. Overall, keep an eye on potential security risks around the room or house you’re letting.
Are You Around Enough?
And finally, are you available for at least 8 hours a day? Because if not, there’s a good chance you’re not going to be able to fulfill your role as a temporary landlord; you need to be able to answer to your guests or tenants when they need you, in case of leaks, breakages, or any other housing needs they may have.
You might want to get another phone, and give that number out to the people coming to stay, to ensure your business calls never get dropped. It’s a great way to keep yourself accessible and professional at all times.
If you’re going to let out any accommodation, including just a spare room, you need to be a credible landlord. Keep these tips in mind.