What do you think of when you think about the safety of a vacation rental? The first things that spring to mind are going to be smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, security locks, and fire extinguishers, right?
And these are the boxes you need to tick and ensure are covered and working correctly for a safe vacation rental. Except the reality is, when it comes to a safe property, guests rarely leave reviews stating that the smoke alarm was in good working order and made them feel safe.
They focus on the small, overlooked aspects of the property that can make them feel uneasy, and it’s these details that rarely make it onto any checklist.
Well, any list except this one, because we often overlook touching upon a few points that can impact how safe guests are in your property and what will ruin their stay.
Becoming Property Blind
You’ve probably heard the term “nose blind,” or not being able to notice those smells you’re used to day in and day out, in your own home. But guests with fresh eyes who have never been before will see these things. That rug that curls on the corner? A trip to the hospital. The loose bannister you never got around to fixing? A parent’s worst nightmare. That bulb in the staircase going to the basement, you keep forgetting to change? It’s making all your guests feel unsafe – they’ve listened to the true crime podcasts, they know the score!
Do regular walk-through thoughts – use a camera if it helps to identify things that aren’t quite right and get them resolved. This will make a safer property and give you confidence in your guests.
Outdoor Scaries
If you have a large outdoor space, this can be either extremely attractive to guests or absolutely horrifying.
Does your pool have fencing to keep guests and pets safe and to stop children from accessing it without supervision? Is your old grill safe to use or can it be a liability? And do you have any loose floorboards on your decking that can be a concern for large groups using it at once?
If you advertise these aspects of your property, guests expect them to be available and safe to use, and they don’t want to imagine themselves getting hurt because you overlooked seemingly innocuous details of your property.
Digital Security
Safety isn’t just physical, it’s digital too, and if your property is hooked up with the latest smart technology, even just wifi, it needs to be locked down and protected. Responsible hosts make sure that passwords are secure and changed frequently for each stay. They update routers and only use visible cameras in legal locations, and disclose them and what they see to each guest. Because no one wants to book and think they are being watched or their data is being intercepted when using your wifi.
Safety Assistance
Your guests need to know who to call and what type of response they can expect if any aspect of their stay makes them feel unsafe. If you’re using a management company like Emperor Rentals, they can provide you with these details to pass on to guests. A laminated guidebook with contact numbers, addresses, and emails is helpful here, as is providing information they might need in advance to help them feel safer. First aid kits, the location of the nearest doctor, dentist, and police station, if required. While you hope they won’t have issues, if they do, you’re there to help them get the right help fast.
