Four Ways To Emergency-Proof Your Airbnb Rental

There are some questions to ask yourself if you’re an Airbnb property owner: “Would my investment be protected if an emergency occurs in my Airbnb property?”, “Would I be liable for the aftermath of an emergency?” or “Would my tenants be safe?”. Airbnb property owners should always be prepared for emergencies, which could happen anytime. Any accident that occurs in a rental residence could put visitors in harm’s way, reducing rental profits or even destroying finances. While property owners may not be able to stop all emergencies from happening, they can take certain measures to better guard their investments and tenants. If you’re a current Airbnb host or considering being one, here are some suggestions that will help you put together an emergency-proof Airbnb rental.

Create an Emergency Plan

In your online listing, you’d be advised to fill out the safety card information card – but you can do more than that. Create an emergency plan, and post a comprehensive image of it with instructions inside your rental. This could significantly help your guests.

Any emergency plan should include the address of the nearest hospital, locations of smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, fire escape routes, emergency contact numbers, and other information critical to protecting your property and guests in the event of a disaster. A curtailment or cancellation policy should also be included in your emergency plan, as this helps to mitigate disputes down the road.

You should also have your own emergency plan in the event that a major disaster strikes your property. Items like business bank accounts, insurance documents, rental agreements, and other key documents should be kept together in a box that is fire-proof.

Keep A First Aid Kit

Safety, unfortunately, is one of the most important elements that Airbnb hosts frequently overlook. Decorating and arranging furniture to achieve the perfect Feng shui can wait – you should start off by buying the most suitable first aid kit. Johnson & Johnson Mini First Aid Kit To Go is a versatile first aid kit standard that cleans, treats, and protects minor cuts and scrapes. The kit comes with all the basics you may need, which include 12 items, such as band-aids, cleansing wipes and gauze pads.

Get Insurance

While Airbnb offers host protection of up to one million dollars for property damage or bodily injury, that might not be sufficient to cover all scenarios or expenses. For instance, a forgotten cigarette or candle can easily destroy your investments. Natural disasters can happen anywhere and the specific insurance coverage may be needed to gain back all the losses.

Remember to maintain either homeowner or landlord’s insurance on your Airbnb rental so you are protected from disasters. Consult your insurance provider to understand better which type of insurance protects your property best.

Communicate Your Emergency Plan With Your Guests

Another way to be a responsible Airbnb property owner is to let your guests know that you have their best interest in mind. Advise them on where they can find the emergency plan and ask them to give it a quick read-through before checking in.

One can never be too careful. There are certainly more measures you can take to emergency proof your Airbnb rental, and by all means, you should.