It’s that time of year, Spring is just a few weeks away which means that it is time to plan for summer. As you are thinking through your travel plans for the summer, it’s always good to feel safe with where you are staying. There has been a lot of buzz in the last few years about how safe Airbnb is. Let’s break down the main concerns.
- Payment Issues
Now as I was doing my research, the main tip that I saw in regards to payments was that you should never pay outside of the actual Airbnb site. According to an article on NerdWallet, there is a secure platform on the site that requires multi-step authentication. Airbnb also recommends paying only on their secure platform. Never pay anyone outside of this platform.
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- Hidden Cameras
According to an article by Fodors, once guests arrive at an Airbnb, they should check for potential hidden cameras. It’s recommended that you begin by checking in private areas such as bathrooms. Check plants or anything that looks out of the ordinary. If you see something off, cover it and report it to Airbnb as hidden cameras are against the policy. Another tip is to turn off the lights and use a flashlight or your phone to check to see if there are any reflections. For more information on these tips, check out the link below:
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- Is the Host Reliable?
Another consideration when choosing Airbnb is making sure you have a reliable host. Make sure your host is responsive. According to an article by Bnbduck, it is recommended that you choose a superHost (these are hosts that have scored well in reviews). If you are unable to do so, read reviews of the location itself and look closely at the pictures that are shown online.
More information on this is listed below:
Addition Tips and Things to Consider
-Checking for carbon monoxide and fire detectors
This is recommended by Airbnb
-Researching the town that the Airbnb is located in
If you aren’t renting a car, make sure that you are within walking distance to the attractions you wish to go to. Also, look into the neighborhood to see if it is safe.
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There are safety policies on the Airbnb website for both guests and hosts to follow.
Safety Tips for Hosts: Airbnb Article 231
Safety Tips for Guests: Airbnb Article 1394
Is Airbnb safe? At the end of the day, it really depends on the Airbnb location. There are plenty of hosts that have good intentions and want the guests to enjoy their stay. But there is always a chance that a host can be unreliable and creepy, leading to hidden cameras. My suggestion, do your research ahead of time. Look at reviews and pictures. Stick to paying only through the Airbnb portal. If you come across anything strange during your visit, report it immediately. After your stay, post a review about what you liked or didn’t like so you can help future guests.
Personally, it’s been a long time since I stayed at an Airbnb. I want to hear from all of you. What has been your experience with Airbnb? Was your stay enjoyable? Did you get a good host? Did you see anything strange while staying there?
Let me know in the comments below.
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