What happens if a guest damages your short-term rental and they booked through Booking.com? Good news: they now offer host protection. But it’s not as great as it sounds...

In this episode, we break down the truth behind Booking.com’s new damage policy, what’s covered, and why you still might want to stick with deposits.

5 Key Takeaways:

• The Damage Policy Breakdown: Booking.com now offers a host damage protection program, but it’s filled with fine print and limitations.

• Deposits vs. Damage Program: Learn why collecting a deposit might offer stronger protection than relying on Booking.com’s mediation process.

• The Shocking Fine Print: Discover what’s not covered—like extra cleaning, pet damage, smoking, or even rule violations.

• How to Set It Up (Step-by-Step): A walkthrough on how to activate the damage policy within the Booking.com extranet settings.

• Our Recommendation After 50,000 Guests: Hear why Tim and his expert team still favor deposits and what evidence you can’t use in a damage claim.

This episode is a must-listen for any host using, or considering, Booking.com. Knowing how to protect your rental can save you thousands and major headaches.

Resource Links:
Check out our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShortTermRentalRiches
Grab your free management eBook: https://strriches.com/#tools-resources
Looking to earn more with your property (without the headaches)? Chat with our expert management team: https://strriches.com/management-services/

Pricing your short-term rental is no easy task—but with the right tools, you can maximize revenue and occupancy. In this episode, Tim welcomes Anurag Verma, co-founder of PriceLabs, to discuss how dynamic pricing has evolved, why data-driven decisions matter, and how hosts can optimize their strategies in an increasingly competitive market.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How PriceLabs grew from a beta tool to managing 450,000 properties worldwide

• Why pricing flexibility leads to higher earnings

• The most underutilized feature in PriceLabs that hosts should be using

• How AI and automation are shaping the future of dynamic pricing

• Actionable tips for setting the perfect base price and fine-tuning your strategy

Why Listen? Whether you’re a new host or an experienced property manager, this episode is packed with insights to help you optimize pricing, increase bookings, and stay ahead of market trends.

Resource Links:

Check out our videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShortTermRentalRiches

Grab your free management eBook: https://strriches.com/#tools-resources

Looking to earn more with your property (without the headaches)? Chat with our expert management team: https://strriches.com/management-services/

Relevant Tags: #DynamicPricing #PriceLabs #AirbnbOptimization #ShortTermRentals #RevenueManagement #VacationRentalSuccess #STRInvesting #HospitalityTech #RealEstateTools

Hosting on Airbnb is an amazing way to make passive income, but it’s not always smooth sailing. Most guests are great, but every now and then, you’ll get a guest who leaves you completely speechless. Airbnb horror stories are rare, but when they happen, they’re unforgettable. Recently, Brian Chesky, the CEO of Airbnb, shared a bizarre guest complaint—someone wanted a refund because a ghost was "harassing them." Funny enough, the Airbnb listing actually mentioned the ghost (his name was Stanley). But as wild as that sounds, I can tell you—we’ve dealt with way crazier things in our short-term rental properties.

In this episode, I’m sharing some of our craziest Airbnb guest stories, from guests checking into the wrong unit to naked people in common areas—and even a dead raccoon hidden in the walls. Whether you’re an Airbnb Superhost or just starting your STR business, these stories will give you a real look at what it’s like behind the scenes. Plus, I’ll share some Airbnb host tips to help you avoid your own guest nightmares. Let’s get into it!

• Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky’s Ghost Story—We Have Our Own!
  A guest once requested a refund because a ghost was “harassing” them, even though they booked the listing because of the ghost. They left a 3-star review a full year after their stay!

• The Naked Guest & Her Life-Size Unicorn
  One of our cameras caught a guest standing completely naked at the top of a shared staircase—with a giant unicorn prop next to her. Just another day in Airbnb hosting.

• Wrong Unit Mix-Ups Happen More Than You Think
  From guests entering occupied units to one guest knocking on every door in a gated community, Airbnb check-in issues are more common than you’d expect.

• The Worst Airbnb Smell Ever—A Dead Raccoon in the Walls
  Guests complained about a horrible smell in one of our vacation rentals. After weeks of searching, we found a rotting raccoon inside the walls. Definitely one of the worst hosting surprises ever.

• A Guest Walked in on a Couple in Their Own Bed
  A guest returned from making a cocktail on a shared terrace, only to find a couple in their bed… in the middle of the act. Turns out, the other guests had walked into the wrong unit and made themselves at home.

If you’ve been an Airbnb host, you probably have a crazy guest story of your own. And if you’re new to short-term rentals, don’t worry—these Airbnb nightmares are rare, but they do happen. The good news? With the right guest screening and Airbnb hosting strategies, you can avoid bad guests and make your STR business run much more smoothly.

Need help managing your short-term rental and you don’t want to go it alone? Shoot us a message here and we’ll see if we can help.

Are you enjoying the podcast? Please subscribe, leave a rating and a review, and share it! This helps us reach others that may find the info helpful as well.

You can find all of our links here including our website, recommended resources, upcoming live event, short-term rental playbook, Instagram, and more!

In this episode, we uncover practical strategies for short-term rental cost management that every Airbnb host and boutique hotel owner should know. Tackling unexpected STR maintenance expenses, optimizing housekeeping operations, and reviewing recurring charges can be the difference between high profits and financial strain.

When it comes to running short-term rentals or boutique hotels, many owners overlook the hidden costs that can add up fast. While regular maintenance, guest turnover, and general operational expenses are common in the STR industry, the way we manage these costs can make or break our profitability. A critical area to pay attention to is STR maintenance expenses. Repairing major issues like gas leaks or roof damage is costly not just for the direct repair but also for lost income from blocked days. Every day your property is unavailable translates to lost revenue, which, when added up, could mean thousands out of your pocket.

• Factor in true maintenance costs: Include lost income from blocked days to get a comprehensive view of STR maintenance expenses.

• Get business income loss insurance: Protect your rental property income against major disruptions.

• Avoid over-blocking for housekeeping: Ensure cleaning is scheduled efficiently to maximize availability.

• Audit recurring expenses: Regularly review and renegotiate your software subscriptions and utility bills.

• Evaluate team productivity: Check if your support staff or virtual assistants are contributing effectively to cost management.

Before you move on to your next reservation or guest interaction, take a step back and evaluate your current practices. Are there recurring expenses you could cut or renegotiate? Are blocked days for housekeeping holding back potential income? Even the smallest adjustments can lead to substantial financial improvements in your short-term rental cost management. Remember, every saved dollar adds up to a stronger bottom line.

Need help managing your short-term rental and you don’t want to go it alone? Shoot us a message here and we’ll see if we can help.

Are you enjoying the podcast? Please subscribe, leave a rating and a review, and share it! This helps us reach others that may find the info helpful as well.

You can find all of our links here including our website, recommended resources, upcoming live event, short-term rental playbook, Instagram, and more!

In this episode, we're discussing emergency preparedness for short-term rentals and how to protect your Airbnb. Natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are becoming more frequent, and as short-term rental hosts, it's our responsibility to be prepared for when they strike. If you operate in areas prone to these events, ensuring you have the right insurance coverage, clear guest communication strategies, and a well-thought-out disaster management plan is crucial.

We'll explore how you can protect your business from loss of income due to natural disasters, navigate Airbnb cancellation policies, and handle emergency guest management during power outages or severe weather events. If you've experienced something like Hurricane Milton or a wildfire affecting your property, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you get through it.

5 Key Takeaways:

• Get the right STR insurance: Make sure your short-term rental insurance covers natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and fires, along with loss of business income.

• Clear guest communication is key: Keep your Airbnb guests updated with real-time information during emergencies, especially regarding power outages or evacuation protocols.

• Plan for cancellations and refunds: Understand Airbnb’s cancellation policies during disasters and have clear rules in place to manage cancellations or refunds fairly.

• Offer alternative accommodations: If you manage multiple properties, offer guests an alternative Airbnb location or a credit toward future stays if they need to cancel due to a natural disaster.

• Prepare for loss of income: Ensure your STR insurance includes loss of business income to cover any period when your property is uninhabitable, so you don't suffer financial losses.

Dealing with emergencies is stressful, but by being proactive, you can protect your Airbnb or short-term rental business and your guests. Make sure your STR is prepared by having the right insurance, setting up clear guest communication during disasters, and planning for cancellations or refunds when necessary. If you manage properties in disaster-prone areas, review your insurance policies and guest communication strategies now—before the next emergency strikes.

Thanks for tuning in! I hope this episode gave you practical tips on preparing for emergencies in the short-term rental space.

Need help managing your short-term rental and you don’t want to go it alone? Shoot us a message here and we’ll see if we can help.

Are you enjoying the podcast? Please subscribe, leave a rating and a review, and share it! This helps us reach others that may find the info helpful as well.

You can find all of our links here including our website, recommended resources, upcoming live event, short-term rental playbook, Instagram, and more!

In this episode of the Short-Term Rental Riches podcast, we sit down with Leo Walton, co-founder of Superhog, to talk about effective guest screening and risk management for short-term rental hosts.

Leo brings a wealth of experience, from avoiding fraudulent bookings to preventing damage, Leo shares key strategies that every short-term rental host should have in place.

Discover how to prevent unwanted guests, minimize damage, and protect your Airbnb or vacation rental property with the best practices in guest verification and fraud prevention.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Guest Screening Reduces Damage Risk by Tenfold: Learn how Superhog’s guest verification tools help prevent bad guests from booking your property.

• Prevent Credit Card Fraud: Leo Walton discusses how to avoid fraudulent bookings with effective guest screening processes.

• Instant Book and Risk Management: Understand the importance of combining guest screening with instant bookings to increase occupancy without increasing risk.

• Deposit Waivers vs. Damage Waivers: Discover how offering these protective measures can help safeguard your property and increase your revenue.

• Fraud Prevention and Airbnb Direct Bookings: Find out how Superhog protects hosts from the rising threat of credit card fraud and unwanted guests.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of the Short-Term Rental Riches podcast! We hope you found Leo Walton’s insights on guest screening and risk management as valuable as we did. If you're a short-term rental host looking to protect your property and minimize risk, Superhog's tools and strategies can make a big difference.

Take advantage of StayFi's special offer for our listeners

👉👉👉 50% OFF The First Three Months! Click Here! 👈👈👈

Need help managing your short-term rental and you don’t want to go it alone? Shoot us a message here and we’ll see if we can help.

Are you enjoying the podcast? Please subscribe, leave a rating and a review, and share it! This helps us reach others that may find the info helpful as well.

You can find all of our links here including our website, recommended resources, upcoming live event, short-term rental playbook, Instagram, and more!

In this episode of the Short Term Rental Riches podcast, we sit down with Eric Moeller, the visionary founder and CEO of FreeWyld, a groundbreaking hospitality brand. Discover how Eric is revolutionizing the short-term rental market by creating unique, nature-based experiences that help guests disconnect from technology and reconnect with nature.

Learn about his innovative wild switch, the importance of direct bookings, and how personal growth has influenced his entrepreneurial journey. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with actionable tips for short-term rental success!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Introduction to Eric Moeller and FreeWyld
• The concept and inspiration behind FreeWyld
• How the "wild switch" enhances guest experiences
• Strategies for driving direct bookings through social media
• Balancing unique experiences with market demands
• The impact of personal growth on professional success

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of the Short Term Rental Riches podcast. We hope you found Eric Moeller's insights as inspiring and informative as we did. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review.

Don't forget to check out FreeWyld at freewyld.com and follow Eric on Instagram and LinkedIn at Eric D. Moeller. Stay tuned for more expert advice and actionable tips on how to build a successful short-term rental business.

Take advantage of StayFi's special offer for our listeners

👉👉👉 50% OFF The First Three Months! Click Here! 👈👈👈

Need help managing your short-term rental and you don’t want to go it alone? Shoot us a message here and we’ll see if we can help.

Are you enjoying the podcast? Please subscribe, leave a rating and a review, and share it! This helps us reach others that may find the info helpful as well.

You can find all of our links here including our website, recommended resources, upcoming live event, short-term rental playbook, Instagram, and more!

Housekeeping is one of those critical aspects that can make or break the guest experience in your Airbnb. After all, nothing beats arriving at a clean, welcoming space that feels like home. But what happens when things don’t go as planned?

In this third part of our housekeeping series, we’re focusing on troubleshooting housekeeping issues with your housekeepers or housekeeping company. From handling negative feedback to ensuring reliability, we'll cover the steps you need to take to keep your property in top shape and your guests happy. By effectively managing housekeepers for Airbnb and other short-term rentals, you can minimize issues and enhance the guest experience.

🚀 Highlights in This Episode:

• Set Clear Expectations: Conduct a thorough walkthrough with your housekeeper, detailing your cleaning expectations and highlighting trouble spots.

• Use Technology: Utilize apps like Breezeway, Turno, or Properly to manage turnovers and create detailed checklists to ensure nothing is missed.

• Share All Reviews: Be transparent with your housekeepers about all guest feedback to help them understand what guests are noticing and how they can improve.

• Ensure Reliability: Confirm your housekeepers' schedules well in advance and ensure they have reliable transportation, especially for weekends and holidays.

• Set Tolerance Levels: Establish a threshold for negative reviews and reliability issues. If these are exceeded, consider finding a new housekeeper.

Housekeeping is a crucial element of managing a successful short-term rental. By setting clear expectations, leveraging technology, being transparent with feedback, ensuring reliability, and knowing when to move on, you can maintain high cleanliness standards and provide an excellent guest experience.

Don’t forget to take advantage of StayFi's special offer for our listeners

👉👉👉 50% OFF The First Three Months! Click Here! 👈👈👈

Need help managing your short-term rental and you don’t want to go it alone? Shoot us a message here and we’ll see if we can help.

Are you enjoying the podcast? Please subscribe, leave a rating and a review, and share it! This helps us reach others that may find the info helpful as well.

You can find all of our links here including our website, recommended resources, upcoming live event, short-term rental playbook, Instagram, and more!