This post is about how to run an Airbnb remotely. It’s filled with essential tips to become a hands-off remote host.
Short-term rentals are one of the best ways to earn more income with a rental property and boost your local economy. You earn more per night, offer guests a safe place to stay, and help your local businesses by attracting visitors.
It’s a great way to supplement your income or even fund your travels (like I do). If you have property, consider turning it into an Airbnb rental if your city or jurisdiction allows it.
My husband and I took a 4-month trip to Japan and had a mix of rental and Airbnb properties to sustain us financially while living abroad. We were anxious about managing our Airbnbs while being in different time zones and unable to regularly visit them.
However, we were confident that we had systems and had a great co-host to take care of our Airbnb guests.
We loved being remote Airbnb hosts and will share how to run an Airbnb remotely. The freedom and flexibility of remote work are making waves, and the world of Airbnb hosting is no exception. Imagine managing a successful vacation rental from anywhere in the world – that’s the power of remote Airbnb hosting.
This guide equips you with the knowledge and strategies to thrive in this exciting space, so let’s get started!
Setting Up Your Airbnb to run remotely: Communication is Key
The key to success is to automate your Airbnb business, and its systems, and establish reliable guest communications. I wrote about automating my Airbnb, setting up systems, and how it helped me streamline my business in this post and encourage you to give it a read.
I crafted a communication schedule based on my timezone for me, the guests, and my property manager (my co-host). In the Japan timezone, I took care of guest communication from 3 PM until midnight (my local Airbnb listing time). This worked perfectly for me because I could answer any check-in-related questions that guests might have. From the morning til 3 PM, my property manager took care of guest needs, if any. There was hardly an emergency during the time I was away that my property manager couldn’t handle.
You don’t have to hire a property manager for your Airbnb listing, a family member or trusted friend works too. The co-host is your boots on the ground and helps you with restocking, maintenance, and housekeeping.
You can make your operations more efficient by using smart locks (keyless entry), automated messaging, and creating detailed guides and instructions that will enhance your guest stay and give you peace of mind when hosting remotely.
Leveraging Technology for Remote Operations
Some of the Essential Technologies that I use in my Airbnb property are:
- Smart Locks & Keyless Entry Systems: They allow guests to self-check check-in and out. Ensure you provide clear instructions for use.
- Smart Home Technology: Devices like smart thermostats can help you monitor and control the property’s climate remotely. It saves on energy bills and maintains guest comfort.
- Automated Messaging: Set up automated messages for guest inquiries and post-booking communication to offer prompt responses and keep your response rate high. This is important if you want to become an Airbnb superhost).
- Wi-Fi & Online Tools: High-speed internet is vital for guest satisfaction, especially if you have remote worker guests
- Security and Monitoring: Consider remote property monitoring systems like security cameras (only in outdoor areas) or noise sensors to deter issues and ensure guest safety. Regular visual checks from trusted neighbors can also be helpful.
Finally, not exactly a technology but great for running an Airbnb remotely:
- Build Relationships with Neighbors: Having friendly neighbors is a huge asset and it’s important to have them on your side. Introduce yourself and explain your remote hosting setup. Neighbors can be extra eyes and ears while you’re gone and address potential noise concerns before they escalate.
Creating a Trusted Local Support Network
Running an Airbnb remotely is not a solo act and I highly encourage you to build your team. It’s a good idea to test your property manager before leaving to make sure everything runs smoothly without you.
Here are some of the key players you should hire so you can run your Airbnb remotely:
- Local Co-Host: your property manager can be your co-host. They manage guest communication, restocking, housekeeping, and maintenance issues while you’re away.
- Cleaning service: Hire a professional cleaning service or professional cleaning company from the beginning of your Airbnb journey. One of the most important things for any successful Airbnb host is to ensure a fresh and clean space for each guest. I have 1 main cleaner plus a backup.
- Contractors / Handyman: Have a plumber, an electrician, and a handyman so they can help you resolve any maintenance issues quickly. In my 3 years of hosting, I’ve called my handyman most often to repair the washer/dryer for my guests. I also have a gardener that helps me upkeep the exterior of all my Airbnb listings
- Wash and Fold Laundromat: Work with a local laundromat that offers wash and fold services. Your cleaners can drop off dirty linens and towels and streamline the cleaning process.
Some optional support includes:
- Virtual assistant: to help with bookkeeping, guest communication, and ordering supplies to restock your closets
- Remote Airbnb Management: you can hire a full property manager company for a full hands-off experience.
Here is a list of responsibilities assigned to my property manager:
- Restock periodically – this means ensuring there is enough toilet paper, toiletries, and other essential amenities you provide in your listing
- Regular property inspections – to ensure all major appliances are working well, there’s hot water, and the AC/heater work
- Schedule deep cleaning for each listing at least once a month
- Meet with contractors as needed for repairs
Provide Excellent Guest Experience and Set Expectations
One of the most important parts of running an Airbnb remotely is to provide an excellent guest experience and set expectations.
I’m clear with my Airbnb listing description, photos, house manual, and house rules. This ensures every new guest knows what they’re getting when booking my place.
I have lots of automated messages in place so my response rate is high: confirmation message at booking, clear check-in and check-out instructions, and a variety of Quick Replies for different situations and questions. I try to answer guest inquiries quickly so they feel supported while staying with me.
My automated messages don’t include the house rules because I don’t want to bog down the guests with long messages. Instead, I have a comprehensive welcome guide (or guest book) with key information such as
- House rules
- House Manual (including Wi-Fi passwords, step-by-step guide on how to operate certain appliances if necessary, where to throw away the trash, any parking instructions, etc
- Local recommendations to restaurants and shops (great way to highlight what’s in your community and local events!)
- Emergency contact numbers and any other relevant information so they can have a comfortable stay
All this information is also in my listing’s Arrival Guide within the Airbnb App. I encourage guests to stay with me longer by offering weekly and monthly discounts. For me, having guests stay longer with me ensures less wear and tear on the properties and guaranteed income during the time the guests stay with me. I also worry less about having an empty calendar and managing more guests remotely.
Test and Experiment
Lastly, don’t be afraid to test and experiment with different tools, different team members, and different ways of handling your guests. There isn’t a perfect way on how to run an Airbnb remotely,
However, with this guide, you have an advantage because I’ve tried and tested these methods for 3 years. During my first two years as a remote host, I was away only a few weeks at a time so I had time to change and pivot as necessary. Back then, I hired my sister to be my co-host but some things were challenging for her to manage because she had a full-time job and didn’t know the property as well as I did.
I put better and solid systems and people in place and was able to step away without an incident when I took my 4-month-long trip to Japan. I was consistently booked out, even during the slow winter months, and was able to garner 5-star reviews from the guests who stayed with me. Another important consideration is to read your guest reviews: they offer a treasure of information and feedback on what they enjoyed and what I could do better for the next guests.
Conclusion
Remote Airbnb hosting offers a unique blend of income potential and location independence. By building a reliable team, prioritizing guest experience, and maintaining your property remotely, you can create a thriving vacation rental business from anywhere in the world. So why wait? Take the plunge and embark on your remote Airbnb hosting adventure today!
Please leave me a comment with any questions or feedback. I read and respond to every comment. If you want to contact me for support, don’t hesitate!
And if you’re curious about my travels in Japan, check out my travel diaries!
