The fact is that most people may think that opening up an Airbnb and conducting Airbnb property management services is effortless and takes minimal work. Further, prospective Airbnb professionals may automatically assume that minimal to zero research is required and that anyone can do it well.
This notion relating to Airbnb property management services is quite far from the reality of becoming a host especially in Dallas.
Remember that potential Airbnb hosts like yourself must deal with a slew of factors that might affect you and your end clients. You might know that serving up a fantastic experience to travelers might take some additional inputs. You also understand that it might take some personal touches, and a bit of creativity to wow and delight your visitors.
It can be very easy to think that when it comes to managing your own Airbnb property, aspects such as pricing your property the right way, and taking care of its upkeep often take the utmost importance. But apart from these crucial requirements, you also need to take care of one critical factor.
Yes, there is always an additional factor you must take care of in new business ventures.
Just when you think you have created the best experience for your Airbnb guests and have done everything humanly possible to be the best host, one thing get left out of the picture.
That’s right.
Your neighbors.
Oh, and don’t forget about your HOA, either.
Whenever you are about to rent out your property as an Airbnb, you must keep your neighbors and your homeowner association (HOA) in mind.
As a new Airbnb host, being mindful of your neighbors' concerns and your HOA's requirements should be at the top of your to-do list. Not paying attention to this aspect could pave the way to unnecessary issues and bring a world of pain for you, your neighbors, and, most of all, your guests.
Here are a few tips that would help you manage this crucial yet often overlooked factor with ease. By following these suggestions, you can start and manage your Airbnb hosting experience without any issues.
If you are a part of an HOA, the first thing you should do is to look for the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) document.
The Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) document may be found within your bylaws or may be a different segment altogether.
This CC&R document or general Bylaws document basically outlines the rules of your neighborhood or apartment block. What you should be looking for is any clause that directly addresses the origination of Airbnb rentals.
If your HOA has laid out restrictions regarding Airbnb properties, then you need to reach out to relevant members to discuss the matter with them. Most HOA communities or bylaws documents will likely not refer to Airbnb or VRBO or other platforms explicitly. Instead, most will have language that is related to the “Prohibition of renting for Transient or Hotel Purposes.”
The documents may state something like this “No Owner shall rent his Lot for transient or hotel purposes, which, for the purposes of this Declaration shall be defined as either a rental for any period less than 30 days or any rental if the lessee of the Lot is provided customary hotel services.”
That’s pretty complex language, and the situation can get murky quickly. Remember that running an airbnb that is in direct violation of your CC&Rs could land you into financial as well as legal troubles. That's why you should work out any problems with the HOA before you start your Airbnb and initiate the process of hosting guests at your property.
Conversely, even if your HOA doesn't rule out Airbnb rentals in the CC&Rs, it is still prudent to reach out to the organizational body. This makes sure that they wouldn't object to your Airbnb operation in the future. In some cases, you might need to convince the HOA body about letting you run an Airbnb.
Keep a real estate attorney handy. Discuss potential concerns with your real estate attorney before moving forward with short term rentals if you feel your HOA will be a significant problem.
In cases where an HOA is not in the picture, you will be skipping the steps mentioned above to go and talk directly with your neighbors. Here's the tricky part: with the absence of an HOA, the decision to run an Airbnb entirely depends upon your discretion. Without proper authority or reasons of noise or disruption, your neighbors cannot object to your Airbnb rental. Now with that being said, they can still make it difficult for you to run your Airbnb by making noise or disruption complaints to law enforcement.
To make sure that you are steering clear of being on the bad side of your neighbors, take them into confidence. Assure them of your vigilance in hosting guests at your property, and the measures you are going to take to ensure you don't host more than a few guests in a single party.
For instance, if you have a two-bedroom apartment, you can assure your neighbors that you will put a limit to host no more than 4 guests in a single rental. This will provide your neighbors with the assurance that you are as respectful of unspoken civility as they expect you to be.
Being on good terms with your neighbors is going to help put your message across. So if you have any long-standing feuds, this would be an excellent time to bury the hatchet.
You can likely manage your neighbors and prevent problems by setting up ground rules for guests. In our experience, setting up standards for guests minimize issues, and hassles altogether. Implementing rules such as the number of guests, use of property, and noise levels can help to create an excellent environment for yourself and your neighbors.
At HostStarter, we know the value of professional airbnb management for incoming visitors and property owners. We provide a holistic platform to minimize hassles and eliminate stress throughout the process.
Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions and concerns surrounding the process!