If you've decided to make some extra cash by using your home or second property as an Airbnb, then you're probably looking for ways to make the experience easy.
Smart home devices can help you ease the burden of running an Airbnb and give you some simple ways to make your guest's stay more safe and comfortable. But which smart items should you use, and which ones should you avoid? We're helping you answer that question.
Why Choose Smart Home Products for Your Airbnb?
The best part about smart home products is that they offer remote access to information about your property. You can monitor who is arriving, give temporary access, and keep up on potential safety hazards before they become an insurance nightmare.
Smart home products are relatively inexpensive to set up, and you can control many of them directly from your smartphone. Your guests will also appreciate the autonomy that certain smart home products provide. Some guests are even willing to pay a premium to keep interactions with the Airbnb host to a minimum.
But as a host, you need to make sure you are protecting your investment. That means you'll need a way to monitor what is happening with your property when you're not around. Smart home devices can help. They can also provide factual data about your Airbnb rental that helps solve disputes and back up insurance claims.
Which Smart Home Devices Are Best for My Airbnb?
The best devices for your Airbnb usually fall into five categories. Keep in mind, there are many different options for each category, so it's best to do your research to find the brands that work best for you.
Additionally, these are not the only devices that you should consider. The world of smart home products is vast, and while some outlying devices, like irrigation controllers, will work well for some, this list features the most common devices that will work well for everyone.
Outdoor Security Cameras
Security cameras are a staple of any Airbnb setup. They offer the owner of the property a way to monitor arrivals and departures. As a property owner, outdoor security cameras can keep guests honest.
Cameras also demonstrate that the property is monitored, which can prevent wild parties or bad behavior. This benefit isn't something that you should lord over a guest during their stay, but it is something that many guests consider the mark of a professionally maintained property. These cameras are also relatively inexpensive.
You should note that while outdoor cameras are a must, indoor cameras are highly discouraged for Airbnb rentals. Guests should always have privacy when they need it, and indoor cameras violate this privacy. Unfortunately, the practice of installing indoor cameras has led to many horror stories. While it might be tempting to install a camera indoors to monitor common areas, "just in case," don't do it.
Finally, it's a good idea to disclose to your guests that you have cameras on the property. No one enjoys being recorded without their consent. And, in some states, it's illegal to record someone without their permission. You should always check your local laws before installing any security camera or recording device.
Smart Locks
The smart lock is a wonderful invention for Airbnb hosts, which offers two main benefits. The first is the ability to allow and limit access to the property. That means you can provide guests with an access code that works for the duration of their stay. With a smart lock, the days of hiding keys are over.
The second benefit here is the ability to log arrival and departure times. If you ever have billing issues, booking overlaps, or insurance claims, knowing exactly when a guest arrived and departed is integral to untangling the mess. Additionally, If you have firm house rules about checkout and check-in times, smart locks can allow access only during specific hours.
Smart Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, private dwellings in 27 states require carbon monoxide detectors. Many states also have statutes regarding the use of smoke detectors in both primary homes and rental properties. While it's vital that you comply with all state and federal laws, using smart devices in this context will help you keep tabs on any potential safety hazards that pop up.
If you're concerned about indoor smoking, like many Airbnb hosts, smoke detectors are also a great line of defense. Detectors in plain view demonstrate that you care about the property, and in many cases, they are enough to discourage any sneaky smoking. These detectors will also alert you if a fire breaks out or if someone is puffing on the sly.
More importantly, detectors will notify you if carbon monoxide becomes an issue. Because this gas is odorless and tasteless, it can cause harm to guests without their knowledge. Working carbon monoxide detectors are the best way to avoid a dangerous situation.
Smart Thermostats
One of the best ways to save money in your home is to install a smart thermostat. So adding one to your Airbnb is a no-brainer. A smart thermostat can help you adjust temperatures in your rental when you're not there.
These thermostats offer easy temperature control, and many can set specific schedules to dial back the air conditioning or heat when your rental is empty. If a guest leaves the unit too hot or too cold at checkout, you can also manually adjust the temperature to save yourself some money.
Smart Light Switches and Bulbs
The final items you should consider installing in your Airbnb are smart light switches or bulbs. Smart lighting is ubiquitous in homes these days, but most rentals can also benefit from remote lighting control. Guests arriving after dark will appreciate not having to stumble around in the pitch. You'll appreciate saving money by leaving lights off when the rental unit isn't in use.
Set lights to turn on at dusk or adjust them manually. When the unit is empty, you can set a lighting schedule to minimize break-ins. And, if someone forgets to turn a light off when they check out, you won't be stuck paying for extra electricity. Just hop on your smartphone and take care of it yourself.
Enjoy Your Smart Airbnb
Owning an Airbnb can be exciting, but it comes with some unique challenges. You want guests to enjoy their stay, so they book more often and give good reviews. However, you need to make sure you monitor your property for bad guests. Additionally, you should always purchase quality devices and inform guests about cameras.
Using simple smart devices like locks, cameras, thermostats, smoke detectors, and light switches can make monitoring easy. While there are specific considerations for individual circumstances, if you want to upgrade your Airbnb, smart home devices are an excellent way to do so.