In 2008, a small company from Silicon Valley in California launched a business idea that would shake the hotel industry to its core. AirBnB is, the concept of short-term accommodation being done in a flat, home, or other exotic living arrangements rather than a sterile and bland hotel or motel room. This idea immediately took hold, and now the UK alone there are over a quarter of a million listings, and growing on AirBnB!
So, it’s no wonder why property owners are scrambling to get a piece of the action. However, owning and operating your own AirBnB isn’t always sunshine and rainbows. There is a lot of work that needs to be done to ensure the property is safe and comfortable for your guests – with an emphasis on safety.
AirBnB claims that fewer than 0.1% of all stays end in a bad review regarding safety concerns. However, with over 200 million unique bookings per year, that is still a staggering amount of people who have reported safety concerns. So, let’s take a look at what you can do about it as a property owner.
Why You Should Care About AirBnB Safety
Before we talk about what to do, we should touch on why to do it. Ultimately it’s good business to make your guests feel as safe, comfortable, and taken care of as possible. This results in good reviews which improve your odds of future bookings. However, that isn’t the only reason why safety should be your top priority.
In 1957, the UK put into motion what is known as the ‘Occupiers Liability Act.’ This act states that visitors to a residence or property will be provided with a reasonable amount of safety while staying at a property. In the case of the AirBnb, you as the owner would be the occupier. The guests are the visitors. Failure to keep them safe in a reasonable manner could result in lawsuits that could end up in criminal charges or financial compensation for the visitor.
So, as you can see, it’s crucial that you take care of your guests at all times.
Tips on How to Keep Your AirBnb Safe.
On top of making sure your furniture is stable and not falling apart, you can do a few things regularly and make a few in-house additions to ensure that you have gone the extra mile.
- Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Each region of the UK has their own fire and safety regulations that you should adhere to. However, there are some general best practices that you can follow to make sure you are meeting the requirements at least–if not going beyond. One simple rule to follow is that you should have at least one smoke detector and fire extinguisher on each floor. This will help the guests feel safe, and provide a barrier of protection for your property.
Now, in contrast, carbon monoxide detectors are not a requirement by law in the UK. However, guests often find that they feel much safer knowing they are there. This ensures that unmaintained or improperly used appliances or fireplaces, for example, don’t build to dangerous levels of this noxious gas.
- Furniture Must Be Flame Retardant as a Host
Fire regulations from 1988 state that all furnishings and furniture within a short-term accommodations facility need to be resistant to flames. So, as a host of an AirBnB, you need to purchase furniture and fixtures that are certified flame retardant in order to prevent catastrophe on your property.
- Ensure Electrical Safety
Hosts are not legally required to ensure that they are up to date on their electrical safety certifications. However, having them is always a good idea to provide peace of mind for you and your guests. Having a certified electrician come in annually to ensure your appliances and wiring are safe is never going to be a bad idea. You can display these certifications to help ensure your guests are aware that you are going the extra mile.
- Gas Safety Certification
As a host of a property that rents out the space, you are required by law to certify that your property’s gas lines are safe and up to code. A certified gas safety engineer must provide this certificate once every 12 months, and it is required that you keep it up to date if you have gas lines coming into the property for any reason.
Final Thoughts
At Wise Monkey Health & Safety, we take the safety of property across the UK very seriously. It is our mission that every property owner, commercial or residential, knows what they can do to provide a safe living space for them and their guests. Check out our services and information to learn more about what you can be doing to keep your AirBnB guests happy and safe all year round!