7 Safety Tips for First-Time Airbnb Renters

Over the recent few decades, short- and long-stay rental platforms, such as Airbnb, have been giving traditional hotels a run for their money.

Last year, travelers made 448 million bookings on Airbnb, generating revenue in excess of $9.9 billion for the platform, marking a 19.2% growth year-on-year. This hardly comes as a surprise when you consider the perks.

For guests, Airbnb rentals offer cheaper accommodation and more room to customize their stays with better features, like private kitchens and pools. Hosts, on the other hand, get to access a large base of potential travelers on the platform and make an income competing with established hotels. All this is good for local businesses and communities, too.

However, Airbnb bookings aren’t without a few risks, especially when it comes to guest safety. In this article, we explain how you can plan for a safe Airbnb stay and make your next vacation a memorable one.

7 Airbnb Safety Tips for First-Time Renters

Similar to hotels, rented accommodation has its own risks, from hidden cameras to fake listings. But don’t let it dishearten you.

If you’re a first-time Airbnb renter, here’s how you can enjoy the perks of a rental without compromising your personal safety. 

1. Review the Listing in Detail

Certain hosts go to great lengths to make their guests feel at home. But not everyone. This is why carefully inspecting the listing and identifying potential scams is important.

Genuine Airbnb hosts will provide as much information as possible without exaggerating or omitting critical facts. So, before you make a booking, go through the details of the property, amenities, check-in process, and terms.

Review whether the photos match the description. Pay particular attention to safety measures in place, including fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and fire and carbon monoxide alarms.

2. Learn More About the Host and the Property

Despite the platform’s verification measures, scammers could still use social engineering and AI to disguise themselves as Airbnb hosts. However, if you look closely, certain telltale signs could give away a shady host’s profile.

Be extra careful with newly opened accounts that lack reviews. An overly edited profile photo or one that conceals the host’s face should also ring alarm bells.

If you have the rental’s address, reverse search it on Nuwber to learn more about the property and its owner. While you’re at it, research the location and neighborhood, too. This could give you some insights into the local culture and the rental’s proximity to public transport and emergency services.

3. Read Reviews

Reviews left by other guests who had stayed at the property can hint at what you can expect when you make a booking.

They can be useful for assessing the accuracy of the listing description, the cleanliness of the property, the host’s service standards and responsiveness, the check-in experience, and the rental location.

Photos shared by Airbnb guests are also invaluable. If they seem to contradict what you see on the listing, dig a little deeper.

In addition, watch out for hoax 5-star reviews. You can identify them by going through the reviewers’ profiles.

4. Communicate With the Host

Sometimes, the listing could be pretty comprehensive and might not leave much for you to clarify with the property owner.

But even then, it’s worthwhile to reach out to the host and establish some form of communication. This will help you identify warning signs of a scam or potential safety risks.

For instance, how accommodating is the rental owner when you ask for more info? Are they vague about the location and amenities or seem to exaggerate or conceal information? Do they come across as rude or abrupt? How long do they take to respond?

5. Research Local Travel Alerts

Governments and various third-party organizations often keep an eye on possible risks associated with different geographical areas.

This enables them to issue travel warnings so the public could take necessary steps to mind their safety.

These local travel alerts can provide information about specific health scares, weather-related threats, such as storms and floods, impending or ongoing wars and armed conflict, political events, and similar matters in a region.

All these could affect your Airbnb stay in the destination you select and jeopardize your safety, sometimes even putting your life at risk. 

6. Note Down Contact Details of Local Authorities

When a danger or threat to your safety presents itself, you need to be able to seek assistance from emergency services immediately. 

For this, you must have the relevant numbers to contact local police, fire department, medical services, and other critical organizations.

So, before you leave for vacation, search and save the contact information of important services. Don’t forget to share it with your family and others traveling with you. If you’re visiting a foreign country, take the number and address of the local embassy, too.

7. Keep All Interactions Within Airbnb’s Platform

Airbnb recommends guests stay on its platform when communicating and transacting with hosts.

This creates a safety net to protect your information and enjoy a safer rental booking experience.

Never share your government ID, provide credit card information, agree to a wire transfer, or click on unverified links, even when a host insists you do so.

The Airbnb website details strict guidelines for users to follow within its platform so the company could track interactions and intervene quickly when required.

To Summarize

Airbnb’s popularity has surged over the years, with more travelers opting for rentals over hotel rooms. However, minding your safety should be a top priority wherever you decide to stay when on vacation.

If you opt for an Airbnb accommodation, remember to go through the listing carefully. Carry out a background check of the host and the property, read reviews, and communicate with the rental owner before confirming your booking. Moreover, read local travel alerts and note down contact details of emergency services you might need during your trip.

Importantly, keep all interactions with your host within the Airbnb website or app and make use of the company’s 24-hour safety hotline if you encounter any issues.

FAQ

Is Airbnb safe?

Airbnb has a number of measures in place to ensure the safety of travelers.

For instance, it conducts an identity verification for each Airbnb account and provides tools for hosts and guests to communicate and transact on its platform.

The site also has specific policies against violence, threats, and privacy intrusions. These include prohibiting hosts from installing undisclosed security cameras and entering private spaces of the property without the permission of the guest.

However, despite all these, no rental, whether on Airbnb or elsewhere, is without risks. So, to avoid disappointment and unnecessary hassle, taking adequate precautions is critical when making a booking.

What are the prevalent safety issues encountered on Airbnb?

Privacy breaches are among the top grievances that guests have reported regarding Airbnb stays. These include intrusions by hosts, hidden cameras, and the like.

Fake listings, data phishing, identity theft, and financial scams are also rife on the platform. Incidents of violence, harassment, and threatening behaviors by property owners, co-sharing guests, and random strangers aren’t unheard of either.

Over the years, multiple deaths have occurred, too, due to inhalation of carbon monoxide. As a consequence, Airbnb now gives away free combination smoke and CO alarms to eligible hosts to create physically safe living spaces for guests.

What are common warning signs of a fake Airbnb listing?

There are several red flags that can help you identify fraudulent listings on Airbnb. A short profile history and vague or incomplete information about the property are top signs to watch. Some scammers can also exaggerate, making their offer seem too good to be true.

In addition, fake listings may carry overly edited, unclear, or old photos. They will also lack reviews or display fabricated ones created through phony guest accounts.

In some cases, fraudulent hosts could urge guests to make bookings outside Airbnb’s platform. For instance, they may try to lead you to an unsafe website or ask you to pay them directly via a wire transfer or credit card.

How can I ensure my personal safety when staying in an Airbnb rental?

Before confirming your booking, researching the host, property, and neighborhood is essential for identifying potential safety threats. When packing, avoid excessive luggage or taking valuables. Choose bags that are easily lockable and tamper-proof.

Once you get to the property, carry out a thorough safety check. For instance, familiarize yourself with the entrances and exits, and ensure all the locks are working and the doors and windows seal tightly.

Moreover, check for hidden cameras and see whether the safety features mentioned in the listing are available and in working condition. As an added precaution, you can pack portable locks and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

How should I tackle safety concerns with Airbnb rentals?

The best way to address safety issues will depend on the type of incident you encounter.

For instance, sometimes, you may find that a window doesn’t lock properly or that there are no fire extinguishers, although they were mentioned in the listing. In a situation like this, the first thing you must do is contact the property owners on the Airbnb app or website. 

However, if you feel physically unsafe or threatened, escalating the issue immediately is important. Don’t hesitate to call the police or other emergency services in such an event.

You can also contact Airbnb customer support, which is available 24/7. The platform has a team specially trained to guide guests through various issues they encounter.

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