Airbnb Hosts: How I Handle Guest Check in and Checkout

[@mikestevens2053]

I completely agree with this philosophy. We've moved to self check-in after starting out with personal orientation check-in's. Lots of wasted time waiting for folks to arrive, and I've come to believe that most guests prefer self check-in anyway. As Richard alluded to: we assume the guest has been traveling (airport hassles, hectic connections, long car rides, hungry kids, etc.) and prepare accordingly: An easy to find lock box, a well-lit entry and path to the kitchen, Michael Buble playing on the Echo, a bottle of red wine or mineral water with glasses and some chocolates, and a hand-written welcome on a chalkboard easel. The guests can then kick back and let the stress melt away, without feeling the need to engage in small talk. Of course the specifics would vary by host and property but simple and welcoming seem to work best. We have a high security lock system where keyless isn't an option, but that would even be easier if it were possible.

[@amysullivan7575]

Keyless entry is the way to go. I receive an alert on my phone each time a guest comes and goes. Worth every penny!

[@miguelcastellanos5003]

How and where do I look for that kind of "hardware" or "devices"?

[@tvpitz1]

Search the Facebook group for "keyless entry" for many hardware options.

[@guesswhofarted]

Just go to Home Depot or Lowe’s. You can get one for less that $100.

[@fudgedogbannana]

I live in the guest house on the property, I just inform guests 1 or 2 days before they arrive that the front door will be unlocked and the key is inside the house, check out time, I remind them to leave the key.

[@amysullivan7575]

Miguel we are a private home, live in hosts with 2 guest rooms; we tie all keyless locks in with the “Vera” system (smart phone app). You can set & cancel codes remotely.

[@miguelcastellanos5003]

Hey Richard, thanks for the advice. I'm taking off on my first 10 days into the Airbnb hosting experience and I like to meet the guest to check in but, for sure Is totally more practical to embrace the self-check in, because it saves time and bring more freedom to both parties. Most people value quickness and independence.

[@truecomment3650]

That is what great customer service looks like ❤

[@WHITE11WIZARD]

You should change the title of this video. I came here looking for help with checkOUT, not check in. The video title says both, but there was nothing at all covering checkOUT. Thanks.

[@guesswhofarted]

It’s 2018 people. If you’re not using a smart lock, you’re not doing it right. Just buy one online or from any major home improvement store.

[@fluxx]

Unfortunately, not every place can have a smart lock.

[@funmiester]

Richard, as usual, hit the nail on the head with this one and so did commenter Michael Stevens. Another another great thing about self check-in is that guests can arrive at ANY time. I have some guests that will arrive after midnight and it's no problem at all. A very common lock box to use is a REALTOR one with a combo.

[@redelbluredelmai2750]

Hi Richard! Recently i've been watching a lot of your videos and they're all so much helpful. Thank you for that! I'm an Airbnb host in Italy and unfortunately, even though many people in my country do that, we can't implement self check-in in our homes due to national obligations. That's because in my country we must inform the local authorities about who we accommodate and we must prove it by showing a copy of their IDs. I know this could be solved by letting guests send me their IDs in advance, but we must verify them in person because in case something happens we will account for it. So for now i keep meeting my guests in person, which is ok but takes a lot of time, especially with two flat (now we are considering putting a third one online). Oh, i also can't get the business travel ready status due to the lack of self check-in and that really sucks.

[@cbbrosnaham3739]

To Re del Blu....I have a cottage behind our house and I meet n greet for a quick tour...most guests go to the beach every day and keys are a hassle so I have ”schlage" keypad code and it's no keys no hassle .it's great and u can be part of the business group rentals as guests COULD self check in although u and I don't do that. Just an idea for you. Thanks Richard... another cool and important video.

[@redelbluredelmai2750]

Hi Clara and thanks for the very good tip. That could be an interesting idea. I never really thought about doing that way. But isn't it a bit misleading for the guests? Especially if you have instant booking turned on (i don't, btw). There could be a time when a guest books and expects to self check-in whenever he/she wants and then finds out it's not actually possible. I think this could potentially translate into a negative review. I'm just guessing.

[@ananasshow]

wooow, the quality of this video is awsome

[@drrettner]

Hi Richard, we will be doing a code key that can be changed with each guest. You didn't go over the check out process. What do you think should be included?

[@griga1000]

Hi, Richard, I wanted to ask you what happens when something in the property is missing or broken? Because with the self-checkout there is no evidence, that the guest did it and he couldn't be charged. Thank you

[@reneewong89]

My pot and pans are missing, and i did host but there is no proof that the guest sign document etc that saw there is a pot or pan or tv etc. My guest denied. Does anyone here have a solution for this cases?

[@jayknight139]

Cameras

[@VentureNinja]

Had a heart attack at 0:27

[@imrichardfertig]

lol sorry about that!

[@martin66536]

Same happen to me.

[@Fliper2K7]

Venture Ninja I thought I was about to get shot while sunbathing.

[@carljohnathangomes4049]

I m booking first time air bnb booking how check in easy lock check in

[@cerigomom]

Hi Richard, I've been telling my husband that this is the way to go, but so far he insists he must meet all the guests, doing the good host thing. It's a 30 minute drive each way and we live on an island where gas is super expensive. I hope he will see that this is not do-able in the long run and is a huge waste of resources. You didn't mention check-out, is it the same process in reverse? Also, do you e-mail your guests with all the info they need? Video? Both? I also have some questions regarding linens, specifically, when do you provide fresh linens or are they available on demand? Thank you so much for all your informative videos! --- Arlene in Greece

[@rafaelbringel]

Are you Louis Diamond Phillips (from Labamba)??? Haha Thanks for your video :)

[@lostphilosophy5617]

How much do you pay someone to go check a person in if you are out of state?

[@jdmpartsjdmparts6223]

Lost philosophy IMO it all depends on your bookings. If this is something you will do as an “on going basis” then you should consider maybe a flat fee per booking or even monthly (if you average a lot of bookings per month). If this is just a one timer then I would pay maybe $20-$25 considering this will not take a lot of time. Maybe you can request it to a friend and then pay him a drink next time you are together. Try a smart lock or a lockbox. Smart locks are in the $100-$200 range but a simpler solution will be a lockbox which cost less than $30 on Amazon or Home Depot.

[@guidoanchoa2007]

and the check out????

[@AbhilashBharadwaj]

Thank you for this information, it is very appreciated

[@Kevin-zi9ku]

Why not a simple drop box that is by the mailbox, front door? Pick up card / key from box, drop it off in the same box. That sounds like the #1 most simple WAY of checking in & out guests. Anybody that feels the need to physically drive there, to check in guests is such a...... huge time, energy, gas waster! That's like the worst way to do it lol.

[@hugocardenastv333]

and when the guests take the key with them ? then what?

[@Kevin-zi9ku]

In a hotel setting, do guests take the key with them? No, they either drop it off in a dropbox by door or give it to the front desk people. * If they accidently take it home, then they should drive back to drop it off at the front desk or hotel immediately makes a phonecall requesting it back. Or else get charged a hefty fee for keeping the key and hotel would make it inactive so it can no longer be used for shady things like if they try to come back and do bad things.

[@funmiester]

If the drop box is open to anyone, i.e., the drop box is not locked, then is there anything to prevent a "bad actor" from gaining access to your property? or am I missing something?

[@Kevin-zi9ku]

A drop box that can only accept what is being dropped in, but can't open. Like the big mailboxes on the sidewalk, you can insert mail in, but can't get anything out unless the mailman has the access key. Also there are security services & devices that can delete keys & codes after one use, make new codes, after every key / card dropped off. Super useful. There are a few different ways to handle the key, card drop off situation.

[@chunckyfreshnut]

How about crime? Has anyone copied your key. To rob your guest when they are not there?

[@Booze129]

Digital smart locks is the way to go. You can set your own codes from the time frame a guest is staying there. I’m no host but it’s definitely recommended !

[@imagedezach]

Even with an easy-to-find lock box, sequential pictures showing lock box location, and additional description on how to find the lock box, I still have guests occasionally neither look at the pictures nor read the description on how to find the lock box, and then complain about the check in process. Sometimes there's nothing you can do. People are idiots, and working with the public sucks.

[@theCreativeAssemblymachinimas]

I have the same. Expérience. I have just had people who complained they could not UNDERSTAND the self check in process.. Which consisted jn: go to fro t door. Turn around. See a bike rail. Open the lock box. All this with clear pics. Too hard to understand. I really wonder how these people lead they everyday life in our modern Complex world. How can they survive.

[@OptimizeMyAirbnb]

Good perspective on the merits of self check-in, thanks for the video. I also have some videos that could help hosts, I hope you check them out.

[@timcounts4334]

We do key pad locks!

[@guillermoe.sanchez2317]

Great info.

[@2kmummy599]

Great video

[@gustavovelasquez462]

You didn’t provide a solution

[@ryantfinchum]

Make it easy: no keys at all

[@kassgal7213]

Ryan Finchum what do you mean?

[@ryantfinchum]

Kass Gal I use LockState locks.. All key codes and no keys..

[@kassgal7213]

Ryan Finchum oh ok thanks

[@miguelcastellanos5003]

@@ryantfinchum where can I look for those?