HelloGuest

Menu

Call 020 458 70950

Booking site
Menu
GET STARTED

Guide

What to Consider Before Hosting Monthly Stays

Dealing With Long Stay Guests

  • Achieve higher occupancy
  • Lower guest turnover
  • More predictable income

With today’s guests searching for longer stays, allowing them to spend more time with their family or the perks of their remote work in a new location, Airbnb hosts should be taking advantage of Aibnb’s new feature.

With monthly stays, hosts can fill their calendars and make tasks like cleaning and guest communication more efficient, not to mention guaranteeing their second income for longer.

best airbnb property management companies image

Fine-tuning your calendar settings for longer stays

  • Updating your Airbnb calendar to allow for longer stays
  • Blocking days in between to help prepare for your next guests

Your first point of call should be to update your listing description to mention that you accept longer stays and ensure your calendar is up-to-date.

Here are the steps you should take:

  1. Enable monthly stays in your availability settings to be seen by guests searching for monthly stays.
  2. Set up weekly and monthly discounts, which guests will see in results when searching for stays longer than 28 days.
  3. Optimise your listing for longer stays to appear higher in search results, including improvements to your listing and essential amenities for monthly stays.
  4. Set your reservation preferences, such as the time between bookings, how soon guests can book, and how far into the future they can book.

Read the in-depth guide.

Apartment in West End Soho

How to prepare your Airbnb for long-term guests

Monthly stays might seem similar to hosting for nightly stays, but there are slight differences. Your property must require essential amenities that make guests feel comfortable, safe and at home. Remember that guests will typically look for listings with a well-equipped kitchen, laundry facilities and comfortable living spaces.

To-do’s for long-term Airbnb reservations

  • Have a fully stocked kitchen full of amenities guests can use, from cutlery to strainers. For example, a drying rack is essential if you have no dishwasher.
  • Provide larger bins and instructions for weekly rubbish removal and recycling.
  • Ensure the bedrooms are fitted with heavier curtains that block morning sunlight.
  • Add shelves to your bathroom or showers to store bathroom essentials like soaps and shampoos. Also, provide space for a toothbrush to live. Provide enough toilet paper initially, but you do not have to do so for the entire month.
  • Invest in good WiFi and a large Smart TV so guests can relax. It’s also best to provide extension cables and an HDMI cable.
  • Ensure the home is child and family-friendly.
  • Dining tables and chairs and a separate space for guests to work remotely are also recommended.

airbnb uk image

Benefits of guests who stay longer

Longer Airbnb stays = lower maintenance management.

  • No need to keep arranging key pick-ups and drop-offs.
  • Less frequent check-in and check-outs.
  • You won’t have to explain house rules each second day.
  • Better approval for neighbours.
  • Attracting more serious, respectable guests.
  • Not having to turn the property over as much (less housework, laundry and cleaning).
  • Better income security (but not as high as nightly prices).

Setting a pricing strategy.

Easy ways to captivate guests during longer stays

  • Before their stay, ask the guests what they need or if they are missing any essentials.
  • Offer cleans mid-stay, which is a great perk for guests halfway into their booking, or offer a more frequent service for an increased fee.
  • Recommend local services and explain where to go and how to get the best out of the local area.
  • Add special touches from a souvenir from the local area or something simple, such as freshly baked bread from the bakery.

Read next:

The Disadvantages of Going Solo

Should You Go It Alone? Do You Really Need An Agent?

Renting your holiday home independently – are you sure it’s for you? Are you just starting in the industry, or have you worked independently for years? If you’re new to the game, you might not realise the full extent of what’s expected of you as a host – and that’s OK. Everyone has to learn their way.

Our story

When we first started, we thought we could take on the world – we didn’t want to cut into our profits to pay management companies, cleaners, maintenance men and more.

But the stark reality was late nights, no rest, working two jobs and never having time to spend with the kids. What most don’t realise, and what we certainly didn’t, is that running an Airbnb was far worse than a 9-5. Guests were demanding – and that’s not even including the rare few that left horrible reviews or caused damage. The hours were excruciating and never ended.

Check-ins and check-outs were endless, and we were left scrambling to turn over the property quickly when a last-minute booking came in. Plus, don’t get me started on the hundreds of messages we would be forced to respond to quickly throughout the day.

The wife and I knew something had to give. Something needed to change before we lost everything.

We were entrepreneurial in spirit, though; we were good at Airbnb, and we thought, why spend money on other nameless management companies where customer service was lacking when we could set up our own and make this our full-time job? And so HelloGuest was born, from just one managed property, which was ours, to now thousands, not just in London, our base, but across the UK.

michelle and gary homeowner photo

When to go it alone

You’ll likely be equipped to manage your holiday home rental if it’s just the one home you look after, where your bookings depend mostly on the season, giving you a break in between and a grace period to get yourself ready before the season picks up again.

However, if your Airbnb is in an area like London, you can expect the season never to end, especially if your location is quite central.

Solo hosts should remember that sometimes, managing and running an Airbnb can be a 40-hour work week and likely won’t work if you or your partner are working other jobs, too. Plus, if you like weekends free, going it alone is not for you.

Going it alone is also easier in the beginning. You’ll have an initial boost on Airbnb, but then you’ll get reranked and fall off the top search list. Most of the time, solo hosts seek out our services when they need help gaining more bookings because, whilst you might be a great host, you likely won’t be a marketing wizard. And that’s what it takes to truly produce a successful, fully booked Airbnb.

Some downsides to going solo

  • There’s no guarantee of income.
  • You have lots of extra responsibilities.
  • You’re involved on a more personal level.
  • It’s very time-consuming.
  • You have to start from scratch and learn a lot.
  • You have to wear a lot of different hats.
  • Responsible for all guest communication and admin.
  • You have to go up against competitors alone.
  • You’re not part of a larger agency network with more marketing knowledge, power and exposure.
  • You likely won’t be able to manage your property where you need to.
  • Being in control of rental prices means you likely won’t have a strategy for your pricing.
  • You’ll have to manage the cleaning, repairs, inventory, and compliance alone.

Benefits of going solo

  • Better control over your guests.
  • Can manage guests directly.
  • Better flexibility in rental periods.
  • Better control of rental prices.
  • You can avoid sharing a percentage of your profit.

If money is the issue with involving a management company, you should know that working with a holiday home managers like ourselves, guarantee you bookings, because we only earn when you do. With the lowest commission structure in the industry, our fees from 12% are only applicable when we’re bringing in the business for you. So, to make it worthwhile for us, we need to make it even more worthwhile for you. Learn more about our full service.

50 Point Landlord Checklist Before Renting in The UK

Must-Haves for Long-Let Rentals

Thinking of becoming a landlord in the UK? Or are you just about to take on your first tenants? As a letting agency in London, we know better than most the strict criteria landlords have to follow to make their homes ready to rent. Here’s an extensive checklist to help you think of everything when getting ready to rent so you can have peace of mind that everything is above board.

1. Property Compliance:

  • Ensure compliance with the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS).
  • Check for any local licensing requirements.

2. Legal Requirements:

  • Familiarize yourself with the latest landlord and tenant laws.
  • Provide a copy of the EPC to the tenant.

3. Tenancy Agreement:

  • Draft a comprehensive Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST) agreement.
  • Include details such as the start and end dates, rent amount, and responsibilities.

4. Tenant Referencing:

  • Conduct thorough tenant referencing checks, including employment and previous landlord references.

5. Deposit Protection:

  • Place the tenant’s deposit in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme.
  • Provide the prescribed information within 30 days of receiving the deposit.

6. Inventory Check:

  • Conduct a detailed inventory and schedule of conditions before the tenant moves in.
  • External companies usually carry out inventory checks to remain impartial.

7. Repairs and Maintenance:

  • Address any necessary repairs and maintenance issues before the tenancy begins.
  • Provide contact details for reporting repairs during the tenancy.

8. Gas Safety:

  • Ensure a gas-safe registered engineer carries out an annual Gas Safety Check.

9. Electrical Safety:

  • Ensure the electrical installations are safe and have them inspected regularly.

10. Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms:

  • Install and test smoke alarms on each floor.
  • Install carbon monoxide alarms in rooms with solid fuel appliances.

11. Insurance:

  • Have appropriate landlord insurance in place to cover the property and its contents.
  • Educate tenants about what rules they must follow for insurance to be covered.

12. Utilities:

  • Inform utility companies of the change in tenancy to avoid billing issues.
  • Provide clear information on responsibility for utility bills in the tenancy agreement.
  • If moving out of the property, ensure your post is forwarded.

13. Right to Rent Checks:

  • Confirm the immigration status of your tenants through right-to-rent checks.

14. Notice Periods:

  • Clearly outline notice periods for you and the tenant in the tenancy agreement.

15. Rent Collection:

  • Set up a reliable method for rent collection and clearly communicate this to the tenant.
  • Set a date for the rent to be sent and introduce late payment methods.
  • Consider a standing order or direct debit for rent payments.

16. Communication Channels:

  • Provide tenants with contact details for reporting maintenance issues and emergencies.
  • Respond promptly to tenant communications.

17. Inspections:

  • Schedule regular property inspections with proper notice to ensure it’s well-maintained.
  • Property inspections are usually carried out within the first 4-6 months of renting the property.

18. Neighbourhood Information:

  • Offer information about local amenities, emergency services, public transportation, and access codes.

19. Ending a Tenancy:

  • Give the correct amount of notice.
  • Understand the proper procedures for ending a tenancy and returning the deposit.
  • Provide a detailed statement of any deductions from the deposit.

20. Documentation:

  • Keep comprehensive records of all communications, agreements, and inspections.

21. Property Advertisement:

  • Market the property accurately, providing clear and honest information.
  • Include high-quality photos and a detailed description in property listings.

22. Tenant Selection:

  • Establish criteria for tenant selection based on objective factors.
  • Avoid discriminatory practices and comply with equality laws.

23. Viewings:

  • Conduct property viewings professionally and respectfully.
  • Provide sufficient notice to existing tenants before conducting viewings.

24. Tenant Information Pack:

  • Provide a welcome pack with essential information, including emergency contacts and local services.

25. Maintenance Contracts:

  • Consider maintenance contracts for regular services such as gardening, repairs and even pest control.

26. Furniture and Furnishings:

  • Ensure that all furniture and furnishings comply with fire safety regulations.

27. Rental Valuation:

  • Conduct a thorough rental valuation to set a competitive but realistic rent.

28. Grounds for Entry:

  • Clearly define and communicate the grounds for entering the property during the tenancy.

29. Pet Policy:

  • Clearly state your policy on pets in the tenancy agreement.
  • Consider a pet deposit or additional terms for pet-friendly properties.

30. Emergency Procedures:

  • Provide tenants with emergency contact details and procedures.

31. Tenant Privacy:

  • Respect tenant privacy and comply with data protection laws.
  • Obtain consent before entering the property for inspections or repairs (minimum 24 hours)

32. Tenancy Renewal:

  • Discuss tenancy renewal well in advance and provide options for both parties.

33. Tenant Responsibilities:

  • Clearly outline tenant responsibilities in the tenancy agreement.
  • Educate tenants on proper waste disposal and recycling practices.

34. Landlord’s Address:

  • Provide the tenant with your contact address for serving notices.

35. Appliance Manuals:

  • Provide manuals for appliances in the property.
  • Clearly outline responsibilities for appliance maintenance in the tenancy agreement.

36. Joint Tenancies:

  • Clearly outline responsibilities for joint tenants in the tenancy agreement.

37. Parking:

  • Clarify parking arrangements and provide information on local parking regulations.

38. Access to Common Areas:

  • Clearly define access to common areas and shared spaces in multi-unit properties.

39. Council Tax:

  • Inform the local council of changes in tenancy for council tax purposes.

40. Tenant Education:

  • Provide information on local services, amenities, and public transport options.

41. Rental Increases:

  • Clearly outline the process for rent increases in the tenancy agreement.

42. Dispute Resolution:

  • Provide information on the dispute resolution process in the tenancy agreement.
  • Consider using a professional mediation service in case of disputes.

43. Property Insulation:

  • Ensure that the property meets minimum insulation requirements.

44. Landlord Registration:

  • Register with the appropriate landlord registration scheme.
  • Display your registration number in property advertisements.

45. Pest Control:

  • Have a pest control strategy in place.
  • Educate tenants on preventing pest issues.

46. Communication Records:

  • Keep records of all communications with the tenant.
  • Document any agreements or changes to the tenancy terms.

47. Fire Safety:

  • Provide fire safety information to tenants.
  • Clearly mark escape routes and provide fire extinguishers if necessary.

48. Gardening Responsibilities:

  • Clarify responsibilities for garden maintenance.
  • Provide information on any specific rules or restrictions related to the garden.

49. Renovation and Repairs:

  • Clearly outline the process for major renovations or repairs that may disrupt the tenant.
  • Provide suitable notice for such activities.

50. Continuous Learning:

  • Stay informed about changes in legislation and industry best practices.
  • Consider joining a landlord association for support and resources.

Whilst this extensive checklist covers the various aspects of long-letting property in the UK, there are many more areas to ensure and maintain a successful and compliant landlord-tenant relationship. For further help, choose HelloGuest to manage your tenants with our favourable and competitively priced long-let management service. More.

Airbnb Essentials: 95 Ideas for a Great Guest Experience

Make Your Airbnb Unique & Heighten Your Guest’s Experience

Going above and beyond to welcome your guests – affordable tips

Take it from us: creating a unique guest experience isn’t easy. Especially when thousands of Airbnbs have already done it before you, but take our advice – keep it simple and unique to you, your home and your location. Heightening your guest’s experience is about the personal touch that will make them remember your home for years.

Here are just a few ideas to get you started:

  1. Personalised welcome (handwritten notes)
  2. Welcome basket featuring local items
  3. Guidebook to your area and the best spots to visit
  4. Local snacks, treats, confectionary etc
  5. Personalised map with hand-written recommendations
  6. Travel-sized toiletries
  7. USB mobile chargers or portable devices
  8. Local artwork in the space
  9. Themed decorations to reflect the season
  10. Netflix/Hulu/Prime subscription
  11. Bluetooth speakers
  12. Good set up of tea, coffee, milk and sugar
  13. Spare towels and linen or pillows
  14. Bear gear (if applicable), items they might have forgotten
  15. Board games or pack of cards
  16. Customised scent diffusers
  17. Local cooking ingredients or essentials like salt
  18. DIY cocktail kits or complimentary drinks (if luxury)
  19. Personalised postcards
  20. Airport pickup/drop-off service (why not partner with a local company for an additional fee)
  21. Discount coupons for local restaurants or experiences
  22. Fitness equipment (yoga mats, weights)
  23. Pet-friendly amenities
  24. Home-cooked meal delivery service
  25. Local craft beer/wine selection
  26. Aromatherapy diffusers or pillow sprays
  27. Hammock or swing seat
  28. Art supplies to keep little ones busy
  29. Work desk setup
  30. Fishing gear
  31. Reusable water bottles
  32. Smart home features
  33. Selection of books, magazines or even DVDs
  34. Phone/tablet stands
  35. Cookbook collection for inspiration
  36. Professional photography sessions
  37. Outdoor movie setup
  38. DIY Pizza night kits
  39. Scented candles
  40. Guided meditation sessions
  41. Rainy day entertainment kit
  42. Stargazing equipment
  43. Reusable Shopping Bags
  44. Personalised robes and slippers
  45. Digital guest book
  46. Cooking appliances (slow cooker, blender)
  47. Car rental recommendations and discounts
  48. Community events calendar
  49. Customised tote bags
  50. Local history books
  51. Scavenger hunt map
  52. Walking trail recommendations
  53. Outdoor BBQ setup
  54. Travel journals or general notebooks
  55. Local language phrasebook (if outside of the UK)
  56. Themed movie nights
  57. Local photography prints
  58. Sunscreen and bug spray
  59. Candle making kits
  60. Homemade breakfast items
  61. Local wildlife guide
  62. Fitness challenge cards
  63. Customised stationery
  64. Local history timeline
  65. Gin tasting kits
  66. DIY flower arrangement kit
  67. Sudoku/Crossword puzzles
  68. Gourmet popcorn selection
  69. Mini first aid kits
  70. Breakfast in bed tray
  71. Karaoke setup
  72. Personalised Spotify playlist
  73. DIY Pizza oven
  74. DIY Spa day kit
  75. Personalised memory scrapbook
  76. London landmarks walking tour guide
  77. English breakfast ingredients
  78. Traditional shortbread
  79. Vintage British board games
  80. Cheese and wine tasting
  81. Customised London underground map
  82. British Monarchy history books
  83. Cornish pasty-making kit
  84. Local cider tasting
  85. Traditional English roast dinner ingredients
  86. Scottish Highlands whisky tasting
  87. Customised UK trivia night
  88. Touch base with guests’ pre-arrival
  89. Provide free and fast Wi-Fi
  90. Projectors and movie screens
  91. Hot tubs, pools or saunas
  92. Follow-up emails checking on their stay
  93. Make beds when they’re out
  94. Offer late check-out options
  95. Send a personalised post-stay message

For more advice on getting started with Airbnb and how to build an empire, visit our guide here.

Building your Airbnb empire and spreading the risk

Fool-Proof Ways to Build an Airbnb Empire

  • Identify the right properties
  • Know how to furnish and list
  • Set and define your pricing strategy
  • Adapt your marketing techniques
  • Streamline your operations
  • Navigate the dynamic landscape

Welcome to the start of your holiday let business and the rise of your property empire. By now, you’ll be aware that the holiday let economy has witnessed an unprecedented rise that’s revolutionised how we travel, work and connect, not only in the UK but globally. And at the forefront of this movement? Airbnb. The one platform that reshaped the hospitality industry into what we know today provided owners like yourself with the opportunity to make a very lucrative primary or secondary income.

The success stories and earnings have sparked the imagination of millions worldwide, and numbers in the hundreds of thousands in the UK – show a huge amount of aspiring entrepreneurs looking to make some money out of their secondary or primary homes. But you might think you’re too late to the party, with all this competition. Wrong. It’s your chance to see what’s working well and what isn’t.

Visit our Getting Started Guide, which will walk you through everything you need to know about running a successful Airbnb and feel empowered with the necessary knowledge and tools you’ll need to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the short-term rental market so you can enjoy the rewarding venture it can be.

The foundation blocks of your empire

Being successful on Airbnb is so much more than having a property, uploading a listing and waiting for the bookings to start pouring in. Like any online business, it pays to be number one in search listings. But first, the journey begins with strategic planning, attention to detail, a history in hospitality and a great understanding of marketing dynamics and competitor research.

Creating a successful Airbnb will take time, energy and commitment – a full-time job. And if you have fantasies of letting it be a nice side earner without you having to do much, then it’s probably best you opt for a management company (like us) that can work on building your empire for you. See our service.

Whether you’re a homeowner looking to optimise your earning potential or an ambitious investor who wants to grow their holiday let portfolio of profitable short-term rentals, then Airbnb management will work well for you both.

Everything you need to know to get your Airbnb to number one

airbnb pricing image
Property managed by HelloGuest

How to build an Airbnb empire

  1. Research and market analysis
  2. Property acquisition and optimisation
  3. Competitor analysis and market advantage
  4. Pricing strategies and revenue management
  5. Plan to build and create exceptional guest experiences
  6. Streamline and automate operations at scale
  7. Marketing, advertising and branding

Why start an Airbnb business

  1. Lucrative income potential with a steady stream of regular revenue.
  2. Greater flexibility and control – choose when and how long.
  3. Lower start-up costs compared to other businesses.
  4. Exposure to a global market of tourists from different countries.
  5. Access to a local and national market of bookers who need to rent a property for a few months.
  6. Personal growth opportunity that allows you to develop empathy, interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.
  7. The adaptability to change with travel trends.
  8. Diversification of income, which can supplement existing income streams.
  9. Real estate opportunities, with the chance to grow a network of holiday lets.