Airbnb has been around for almost a decade and has gained prominence as a popular alternative to hotels across the globe, but homeowners in India have started opening up to the idea only recently.

Well, becoming an Airbnb host may not be as simple as you think. It requires a lot of hard work — prep work and homework. What you put into it impacts what you derive from it, so if you wish to attain success, you have to put in some figurative and literal elbow grease. Whether you are kickstarting your Airbnb hosting venture or looking for some new tips, the following guide will help you turn your space into an ideal abode away from home.

Consider giving your space a guest-friendly makeover

To transform your place into a suitable space for guests, you should make some additions or updates. Try focusing on subtracting before adding anything new. Guests typically prefer a clean aesthetic space, so your first step should be to declutter and organize. Consider removing personal items like picture portraits, albums, and photo frames.

You need to stock up on supplies.

You must offer your guests more than just a comfortable place to sleep to make them happy. You don’t need to go overboard, but keep your Airbnb home stocked with all the basic supplies like tea, coffee, bottled water, toiletries, towels, blankets, and more.

Keep neighbour relations in mind.

Whether you own a property or rent, chances are, you'll have neighbours. Consider how their reaction might be when they find out your hosting on Airbnb? The reaction might vary greatly by neighbourhood and city. If your city council has already petitioned to restrict or ban Airbnb, you must be extra careful before listing your unit to avoid hefty fines.

Consider the risks and liabilities.

Apart from personal safety, you are also exposing yourself to other potential risks by hosting on Airbnb. You are at risk of renting to a squatter, putting your property at risk of theft, and potential liability risk if your guests get injured or injure neighbours or if they damage other property. Get proper Airbnb liability insurance coverage to minimize the risks.

Adapt to new marketing ideas

If you want to be a successful Airbnb host, you must constantly learn and adapt your listing to the dynamic guest preferences, market conditions, and local law. You need to be prepared to have all kinds of guests during different seasons that demand different positioning.

Airbnb hosting is certainly a fun gig. Are you ready to be a host?