As an Airbnb host, you’re likely always looking for ways to maximize your rental income while keeping your guests happy. One option that’s gaining popularity is allowing extended stays. Whether it’s a guest looking to stay for a week, a month, or even longer, extended stays can offer both benefits and challenges. In this blog post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of allowing extended stays at your Airbnb property, and help you decide if it’s the right option for your business.
What Is an Extended Stay?
An extended stay on Airbnb generally refers to a guest booking your property for a period longer than a typical vacation. While the average Airbnb stay is usually just a few days, extended stays typically span one week or more, and can sometimes even last a month or longer. Extended stays are popular among business travelers, people relocating, or guests in need of temporary housing due to personal circumstances.
The Pros of Allowing Extended Stays
While there are a few considerations to keep in mind, there are several benefits to offering extended stays at your Airbnb property.
- Stable Income Stream One of the most significant advantages of allowing extended stays is the steady income it provides. Instead of having to worry about filling your calendar with multiple short-term bookings, extended stays give you the opportunity to secure a longer booking with less effort. This can reduce the number of vacancies you face throughout the month, giving you more consistent revenue. Why it matters:
- Extended stays offer a predictable income, making your cash flow more reliable.
- Fewer turnovers mean less time spent managing your calendar and fewer check-ins and check-outs.
- Lower Turnover and Cleaning Costs With a shorter rental turnover, you’ll spend less time and money on cleaning, maintenance, and property management. Professional cleaners, like those from Cleanbnb, typically clean your property after each guest’s stay, but with fewer turnovers, you’ll have fewer cleaning sessions. Additionally, you’ll spend less time coordinating with guests and handling the logistics of check-ins and check-outs. Why it matters:
- Fewer turnovers mean fewer cleaning fees and time spent coordinating cleaning schedules.
- Less wear and tear on your property due to fewer guests.
- Long-Term Guests Build Relationships Extended stays provide the opportunity to build stronger relationships with guests. A guest staying at your property for weeks or months is likely to become more familiar with your space and more comfortable with you as a host. This can lead to positive reviews, better communication, and a loyal customer base who may return in the future. Why it matters:
- You can develop loyal, repeat guests who trust your property and are more likely to give you great reviews.
- A longer stay can foster trust and increase the chances of positive experiences.
- Reduced Vacancy Rates Extended stays can significantly reduce the chance of vacancies in your Airbnb property. With fewer open dates in your calendar, you have a greater chance of keeping your property occupied for longer periods, increasing your overall occupancy rate. Why it matters:
- Long-term stays reduce the number of open dates on your calendar, leading to higher occupancy rates.
- A booked calendar provides peace of mind, knowing that your property is being used and generating income.
The Cons of Allowing Extended Stays
While extended stays can offer stability and income, there are some challenges that you need to consider.
- Potential for Less Flexibility One downside of offering extended stays is the lack of flexibility in your booking schedule. By committing to longer stays, you may limit your ability to accept last-minute, short-term bookings from guests looking for a quick getaway or business trip. Your calendar may become tied up with long-term stays, leaving fewer opportunities for higher-paying, shorter bookings. Why it matters:
- You might miss out on potential short-term bookings that could be more profitable or appealing.
- Extended bookings may make it harder to adjust your schedule quickly.
- More Responsibility as a Host Extended stays often come with more responsibilities compared to short-term bookings. You’ll need to address maintenance issues and ensure that the property is maintained throughout the duration of the guest’s stay. While most guests will take care of the property, there’s always the chance that wear and tear may be more noticeable over time. Why it matters:
- With extended stays, you’ll need to remain proactive about maintenance and minor repairs.
- Long-term guests might expect more from the property, such as better amenities or extra services, which could require more effort on your part.
- Wear and Tear on the Property While short-term guests typically don’t stay long enough to cause significant wear and tear, extended stays can have a different impact. With more foot traffic, extended stays could lead to more damage to furniture, linens, and other household items. You’ll also need to account for the time and effort needed to inspect and repair these items if necessary. Why it matters:
- Extended stays can lead to more damage and wear on your property, which can increase maintenance and replacement costs.
- You’ll need to inspect and manage repairs more frequently, which might add to your workload.
- Risk of Long-Term Guests Who Don’t Fit Your Property’s Needs Extended stays may involve guests who don’t align with your expectations or needs for your Airbnb. For example, they may not take good care of the property, or their behavior may lead to conflicts with neighbors. While a quick turnover usually means you have the opportunity to vet guests after each stay, extended stays don’t give you that same level of flexibility. Why it matters:
- Extended stays limit your ability to remove guests if issues arise.
- The longer guests stay, the more likely you are to experience problems or complaints.
How Cleanbnb Can Help with Extended Stays
If you decide to allow extended stays at your Airbnb property, Cleanbnb can support you with professional cleaning services that ensure your property stays in top condition. Here’s how Cleanbnb can help:
- Deep Cleaning Between Stays: We offer thorough cleaning services between guest stays, ensuring your property is sanitized and welcoming, no matter how long the guest has stayed.
- Regular Cleaning Services: For long-term guests, Cleanbnb offers scheduled cleaning options, so you can arrange for regular cleanings, laundry, and maintenance during their stay to keep everything in pristine condition.
- Turnover Assistance: With extended stays, managing multiple long-term bookings may become complicated. Cleanbnb’s team can help with efficient turnover cleaning, ensuring everything is ready for your next guest, whether they’re staying a week or several months.
Conclusion
Whether or not you should allow extended stays depends on your specific needs, goals, and the type of Airbnb business you want to run. Extended stays can offer steady income, lower turnover costs, and the opportunity for longer-term guest relationships, but they also come with less flexibility, more responsibility, and the risk of wear and tear.
If you choose to allow extended stays, it’s essential to balance these advantages and challenges. And with the help of a professional cleaning service like Cleanbnb, you can ensure that your property remains in excellent condition throughout these longer stays, ultimately helping you make the most of your Airbnb investment.