Your relationship with your neighbors can make or break your short-term rental. With a rotating door of guests staying at your property, you must set a foundation for a strong relationship with your neighbors before you begin hosting. A positive relationship with your neighbors means your guests feel welcome, and you have an extra set of eyes on your property. Upset neighbors can lead to an inhospitable experience for your guests, and potentially losing your short-term rental. We’ve put together some tips and tricks to maintain a strong partnership with your neighbors and head off Airbnb neighbor complaints before they happen.
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Setting Up Your Rental to Avoid Airbnb Neighbor Complaints
The first item on the agenda is making sure that your Home Owners Association (HOA) allows short-term rentals, if you have one. Once you’ve done that, print out copies of the policy and highlight the sections that prove your short-term rental is legal. This legal document can serve as a starting point when discussing the rental with your neighbors.
When creating your listing and house rules there are a few options to consider that can aid relations with your neighbors. Below are a few ideas:
Age Requirement
Imposing a minimum rental age requirement can help counteract house parties on your property. Consider a minimum rental age of 25 to avoid high school or college party takeovers!
Ban Parties and Events
In August 2020 Airbnb announced a global party ban. This means that no Airbnb properties are allowed to be used as a party pad. Hosts found in violation of this, even if the party happened without their consent, can be fined or have their listing closed. While we don’t know when the global party ban will end, it is wise to include a no-party clause in your house rules both to protect yourself and keep your neighbors happy. Learn how to prevent parties with a noise monitor.
Check-in and Check-out Times
Create reasonable check-in and check-out times that will minimize disturbing your neighbors. Even if your guests utilize automated self-check-in, your neighbors will appreciate not hearing a suitcase on the pavement at 4:00 AM. Standard short-term rental check-in times are 3:00 PM-10:00 PM and check-out 10:00 AM-12:00 PM.
Create Designated Parking Spaces
No one likes when someone swipes up “thier” parking spot. Create a designated guest parking area and provide detailed parking instructions with your guest’s check-in message. If you aren’t able to provide a specific spot, provide clear instructions on where guests are and are not allowed to park their vehicle.
Minimum Night Stay
To cut back on noise from guest turnover, consider requiring a minimum night stay. The longer the minimum stay, the less noise your neighbors will hear from guests checking-in in and out.
Vet Guests
Some hosts choose to remove instant book and require a guest to answer a few questions before approval. This allows hosts to ask guests why they are booking, view their rental history, and get an idea of the age of the guest. If you choose to turn instant book off, be sure you respond to inquiries promptly.
Tips for Forming a Positive Relationship with Your Neighbors
It is vital to talk to your neighbors in person before you begin hosting guests. Making the effort to speak with your neighbors face-to-face will show your neighbor that you are serious about being a good short-term rental host and steward of their neighborhood. Bring a copy of your HOA, and be prepared to explain to them how short-term rentals can directly benefit their neighborhood.
Make sure to verse yourself in facts that support short-term rental benefits to communities before speaking to your neighbors. For example, short-term rentals bring money directly into the local economy rather than to a corporate hotel chain. If you partner with local guides or restaurants, share how you’re supporting the community in this way. Perhaps your neighbor will have a connection and want to get involved themselves!
Lastly, offer your direct line to your neighbor. Tell them to reach out to you if they have any questions or concerns. This gesture will show your neighbors that you are invested in the well-being of the community.
These small but meaningful gestures will create a positive environment for both your guests and neighbors. Having happy neighbors is important to cultivating a well-rounded experience for your guests, and helping ensure you receive 5-star guest reviews.
Maintaining a strong relationship with your neighbors will reduce complaints, and create a hospitable environment for your short-term rental guests. When setting up your listing consider implementing rental age requirements, banning parties and events, choosing noninvasive check-in/out times, creating designated parking areas, instituting a minimum night stay requirement, and vetting guests. These pieces plus maintaining open and honest communication with your neighbors will minimize complaints, create a strong working relationship between you both, and allow a pleasant guest experience.
Host Tools provides an automated, unified calendar for short-term rental hosts, allowing you to seamlessly list on all major channels. Start your free trial today!
