10 Airbnb Property Maintenance Mistakes You Need to Avoid (2024)

10 Airbnb Property Maintenance Mistakes You Need to Avoid (1)

Manage Your Airbnb

Make hosting enjoyable, get 5-star reviews, and earn Superhost status with these 10 crucial Airbnb property maintenance mistakes to avoid.

When you first visit your Airbnb property, you might be shocked by how many issues guests haven’t told you about. You’ll quickly realize how important it is to avoid common property maintenance mistakes, which can quickly lead to negative reviews and low profitability.

If you want to make hosting more enjoyable, earn more 5-star reviews, and achieve Airbnb Superhost status, make sure you’re avoiding the 10 property maintenance mistakes, below.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I’m not affiliated with Airbnb in any way (other than being an Airbnb host, of course). Read my full disclosure policy here.

Contents

  • 10 Airbnb Property Maintenance Mistakes You Need to Avoid
    • #1: Not living at the property first
    • #2: Not doing regular property maintenance
    • #3: Not treating your cleaning crew well
    • #4: Not having a backup lockbox
    • #5: Not having a nearby handyman
    • #6: Not expecting things to go missing
    • #7: Not investing in impactful upgrades
    • #8: Not leaving cleaning supplies out
    • #9: Not having enough storage
    • #10: Not doing proactive plumbing maintenance
  • Takeaway

10 Airbnb Property Maintenance Mistakes You Need to Avoid

10 Airbnb Property Maintenance Mistakes You Need to Avoid (2)

#1: Not living at the property first

As a new Airbnb host, one of the most impactful things you can do is live at your rental property before your first guest. And I really mean live there, don’t just stop by for a walkthrough. Sleep in all the beds. Use all the showers. Cook every meal there.

When you do, you’ll be surprised at just how many things need your attention. You might find the brand-new bed squeaks, the toilets run, and the dishwasher doesn’t drain. Living at the property yourself gives you a chance to catch these issues BEFORE your guests do.

Proactively finding and fixing issues will immediately lead to better reviews and your first few reviews are by FAR the most important! That said, if you ever do get a less-than-perfect review, here’s how to make that negative review benefit your business.

Recommended: How To Make Negative Airbnb Reviews Work In Your Favor

#2: Not doing regular property maintenance

Even if you catch a lot of issues before your first guest arrives – surprise! – there will still be many more issues that pop up. so, plan to visit your Airbnb for regular property maintenance checks at least every six months. (Go more often, if possible!)

Doing sowill ensure that you’re addressing small issues before they become so big that they impact your business. But, what exactly does regular property maintenance entail? Get your step-by-step guide to rental property maintenance in this blog post.

Recommended: Short-Term Rental Property Maintenance: Your Step-By-Step Guide

10 Airbnb Property Maintenance Mistakes You Need to Avoid (3)

#3: Not treating your cleaning crew well

As an Airbnb host, the most important relationship you can protect is your relationship with your cleaning crew. That’s because your cleaners have the biggest impact on guests’ first impressions.

Cleanliness has a HUGE impact on guests–so much so that “Very clean” is one of the most common pieces of feedback I consistently get in guest reviews!) Unfortunately, great cleaning crews are hard to find. When you do find them, be kind and thoughtful in all your communication. Tell them when they’ve done a great job. Give generous Christmas gifts. And check out my tips on how to successfully provide feedback to your cleaning crew.

Recommended: 5 Things Your Airbnb Guests Really, Really Want

#4: Not having a backup lockbox

Having a keyless entry at your Airbnb is crucial. Otherwise, you risk guests losing the key, forgetting to leave it at checkout, or locking themselves out–all of the potential issues are just not worth it.

Plus, a good keyless entry lets you control who has access to your property and when. This gives you peace of mind and creates a more secure property for your guests.

That said, it’s still possible to get locked out if your keyless entry does or malfunctions. So, it’s vital that you have a backup physical key in a lockbox on your property, just in case. Then, when your guest calls you at 3 AM saying they’re locked out (seriously, it happens) all you have to do is share the lockbox code with the physical key. Problem solved.

These are just two of the many essential items you need to make your Airbnb a huge success–get 100+ crucial items for your Airbnb in here:

#5: Not having a nearby handyman

Your keyless entry is one of many things that will unexpectedly stop working.
In my first six months as an Airbnb host:

  • My towel rod broke;
  • An interior door accidentally got locked (preventing guests from accessing the property); and
  • The door to one of my bathrooms broke

If you manage your Airbnb remotely, you can’t just stop by to fix these small issues when you hear about them. Instead, call a handyman. But, like your cleaning crew, a great handyman is hard to find.

Do your best to find and meet with a handyman before your first guest arrives. Build a relationship with them, pay them promptly, and treat them kindly so they keep coming back!

#6: Not expecting things to go missing

Let’s face it–things will go missing from your Airbnb property.

For example, I used to provide two generous work-from-home setups for guests. We’re seeing a major increase inguests wanting to work remotelyfrom their Airbnb. So, I wanted to provide my guests with an exceptional remote work setup.

But during my first property maintenance check, I found that a mouse, keyboard, and HDMI cable were all missing. (After only six months of hosting!)

My rule of thumb: don’t leave anything at your Airbnb that you wouldn’t be okay with losing.

10 Airbnb Property Maintenance Mistakes You Need to Avoid (4)

#7: Not investing in impactful upgrades

Investing in high-impact items goes a long way with your guests. For example, a high-quality couch and memory foam mattresses(king size, when possible!)

And renovations like a fresh coat of white paint, recessed lighting, and durable flooring make your listing stand out among the crowd.

Investing in these high-impact upgrades will wow your guests. They’ll also help your property stay in great shape. It’s yet another way to ensure you get those 5-star reviews.

Recommended: The Best Room-By-Room Airbnb Checklist: 100+ Essential Items

#8: Not leaving cleaning supplies out

Have you ever been at an Airbnb and felt frustrated that you couldn’t find the dish soap? Or accidentally spilled something and couldn’t find anything to clean it up with?

Make sure your guests have access to basic cleaning supplies. Afterall, guests who want to clean should be able to clean! Doing so will also prevent damage and unnecessary cleaning fees.

Here are some essential cleaning supplies to provide for guests: upholstery cleaner, broom and dust pan, inexpensive vacuum, glass cleaner, and all-purpose cleaner. (Get the full downloadable checklist here!)

#9: Not having enough storage

As a new Airbnb host, I’m sure you’ve thought about where you’ll store backup supplies. Between extra duvet inserts, pillows, paper towels, toilet paper….you’ll need a lot of space. But you’ve probably underestimated just how much.

I ran into this issue the first time I visited my Airbnb when I realized backup supplies were being stored in many places other than my locked supply closet, which was already stuffed to the brim.

Before your first guest arrives, make sure you have plenty of storage space. Make sure you can lock up ALL the Airbnb supplies you want your cleaning crew to have access to, but not your guests.

Recommended: 9 Surprising Lessons Learned in My First 9 Months as an Airbnb Host

#10: Not doing proactive plumbing maintenance

Last but certainly not least – do proactive plumbing maintenance! Check that nothing is leaking, all appliances are working as expected (and aren’t at the end of their life), all drains are clear, and toilets aren’t running, and so on.

It’s shocking how many plumbing issues can come up at your Airbnb. In my first year alone, my hot water heater stopped working (YIKES), all three toilets started running, and my dishwasher stopped working. Get ahead of these things by checking for any potential issues before they become noticeable to guests.

Takeaway

That’s it! All of the common property maintenance mistakes successful Airbnb hosts avoid. Avoiding these common mistakes makes hosting more enjoyable, helps you earn more 5-star reviews, and gets you closer to achieving Airbnb Superhost status.

Recommended:

  • The Best Room-By-Room Airbnb Checklist: 100+ Essential Items
  • Rental Property Maintenance: Don’t Miss Out on These Crucial Steps
  • 9 Surprising Lessons Learned in My First 9 Months as an Airbnb Host

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10 Airbnb Property Maintenance Mistakes You Need to Avoid (5)

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10 Airbnb Property Maintenance Mistakes You Need to Avoid (2024)

FAQs

10 Airbnb Property Maintenance Mistakes You Need to Avoid? ›

If your Host can't resolve the cleanliness issue, let Airbnb know within 72 hours of discovering the issue. It may be covered under Airbnb's Rebooking and Refund Policy—you may be able to receive a full or partial refund, or get help finding a similar place to stay, depending on availability at comparable pricing.

What are common Airbnb host problems? ›

Based on feedbacks from other Airbnb hosts, we can highlight five main issues:
  • Guest-related problems. Some guests may damage property, steal items, or cause disturbances. ...
  • Additional costs. ...
  • Legal obligations. ...
  • Time commitment. ...
  • Uncertainty.
May 6, 2024

What not to do with your Airbnb? ›

Details of the ground rules
  • Cleanliness: Guests should not leave the listing in a state that requires excessive or deep cleaning (moldy dishes, soiled carpets, stains from pets, etc.). ...
  • Litter: Guests should put their trash in designated trash receptacles and be mindful of excessive amounts of trash.

Will Airbnb refund for a dirty room? ›

If your Host can't resolve the cleanliness issue, let Airbnb know within 72 hours of discovering the issue. It may be covered under Airbnb's Rebooking and Refund Policy—you may be able to receive a full or partial refund, or get help finding a similar place to stay, depending on availability at comparable pricing.

How do I complain about Airbnb and get money back? ›

Need to request a refund before or after a trip or Experience? First, discuss the amount with your Host in the message thread, and if they agree, go to the Resolution Center to request money. If they don't agree to the amount within 72 hours, reach out to us for help mediating.

What is the biggest problem with Airbnb? ›

A 2021 study of more than 125,000 Airbnb complaints on Twitter found that 72% of the issues were related to poor customer service and 22% were related to scams.

Why Airbnb losing customers? ›

Because there are so many more listings now, Airbnb hosts say they are watching their bookings plummet. The flood of new hosts has meant fewer can earn good money. “Now, the markets are completely oversaturated,” says Melody Wright, founder of mortgage strategy and technology company Huringa.

What are 3 cons of Airbnb? ›

The Cons of Booking AirBnB:
  • Con: Exorbitant fees.
  • Con: Service is not consistent.
  • Con: What you see may not be what you get.
Mar 11, 2022

Is Airbnb losing popularity? ›

Across the US, Airbnb bookings have grown 8.9% over the last year (January 2023- January 2024). However, each market and property is unique. Some markets boom while others bust.

Can an Airbnb host come in unannounced? ›

What we don't allow. Physical intrusions: Hosts and guests must not access or attempt to access private spaces unless they have permission or there is an emergency.

What if Airbnb is not clean on arrival? ›

If your unit isn't clean at check-in, the first step is to contact your host. You can either message the host directly or submit a cleanliness request through Airbnb. With the cleanliness request, you'll need to describe the issue, provide photos (if possible) and let the host know how you'd like to resolve it.

What happens if an Airbnb host sells a house? ›

In the case of Airbnb, they will cancel all reservations when the property changes ownership with instructions on how to make new reservations with the new owners. The new owners must have thier listings ready to go and work with Airbnb so they can accept the new (previously cancelled) reservations.

What if my Airbnb smells like mold? ›

For issues that may pose an immediate health risk, such as bed bugs, mold or other allergens, please contact local emergency services if needed. If you need help with your reservation, you can send a request to Airbnb, and we'll determine the appropriate resolution under our Rebooking and Refund Policy.

How to make a formal complaint about Airbnb? ›

Get help or contact Airbnb Support
  1. Contact your Host or guest.
  2. Explore the Help Centre.
  3. Visit the Resolution Centre.
  4. Contact Airbnb Customer Service.

How do I win a dispute with Airbnb? ›

AIRBNB RESOLUTION CENTER

The host has 60 days to make a claim on a deposit, but the earlier this is done, the better chance the host has of winning. If the other party denies to pay the claim, the complainer can then elect to involve a mediator at Airbnb. The mediator's decision is final and cannot be appealed.

Can you get compensation from Airbnb? ›

You can message your Host directly to let them know what's going on. Ask for a refund: If you need to request a refund because of the issue, there's a higher chance your Host will accept your request if you can agree on an amount first.

How do I deal with a bad Airbnb host? ›

If you have a problem or issue during your stay
  1. You have 72 hours to report any issue to your Host or to Airbnb from the time of discovery.
  2. Document the issue and message your Host. ...
  3. Get help from Airbnb to resolve the issue. ...
  4. If there's an emergency situation or your safety is threatened.

Is being an Airbnb host stressful? ›

Difficult guests

Having unruly guests can be a major headache for an Airbnb host and cause a lot of stress. While you can place screening measures in place, there's always a possibility that you end up renting your property to guests who cause problems or damage your investment property.

How do I trust an Airbnb host? ›

Read the ratings and reviews

You'll find ratings on subcategories like cleanliness and accuracy, as well as detailed reviews from fellow travelers. Guests can only leave a review after their trip, so you can feel confident that the feedback in a review is from someone who actually stayed there.

Is Airbnb hosting stressful? ›

The experience of hosting on Airbnb might indeed involve stress, particularly for those handling the property independently. Numerous elements can add to this stress, including overseeing reservations, maintaining cleanliness, upkeep, handling challenging guests, and keeping the property aligned with local laws.

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