Renting out your property is a great way to generate passive income for you and your family. Vacation rental websites have been on the internet for ages, but it was not until 2007 when peer-to-peer property rental became popular. Now, everyone can easily offer their houses for rent while they go on holiday or a long trip.
Although most vacation rental companies offer strong protection policies for hosts, it is completely understandable to take security matters into your own hands to protect your property and everything inside it. After all, we want our guests to feel at home, but we also want them to understand the house rules when they stay at our place.
Here are some tips that can get you started to secure your property before you rent it to vacationers. Make use of these basic steps and you will be a great host in no time!
Guard your letters
If you rent your house during the holidays, there is a huge chance of your letters falling to the wrong hands and this may result in identity theft.
Before leaving your house to your guests, it is better to check your mailbox lock. However, if your house is not equipped with a mailbox or if the mailbox doesn’t work, consider renting a PO Box where you can redirect all your letters while your property is occupied by someone else.
Screen your own guests
Your property belongs to you, so you have the right to do a background check on people who requests to book your space. Plan some time to go through their social media profiles and other related accounts. Moreover, it is a good idea to talk personally with the booker via the built-in chat application to know more about their purpose of visit. Be a nice host by recommending interesting places to visit in your neighbourhoods, such as the farmers market or a popular breakfast joint.
After doing your review, go with your gut. If their story doesn’t match or if you find something wrong in their background check, simply decline their request.
Invest in automatic door locks
Traditionally, you need to give your house key to your guests before they check in. This can be burdensome because you have to be physically there with them. What if you need to leave earlier than your guests' estimated arrival time or if you don't know your neighbours that well so you can't leave your keys there for your guests? Have you wondered if there were an easier and more secure way to hand over your house keys to your guests?
With DOM Tapkey, you get the true meaning of being in control of your house. Before they arrive, inform your guest to download the Tapkey app from their smartphone and you can invite them based on their Tapkey ID or Google ID. After authorising their ID from your phone, they can enter your house using the Tapkey app. After their check-in period ends, you can delete their ID from the Tapkey app so they cannot enter your property anymore.
Keep your valuables in a safe
This may be an old-school suggestion, but a good safe can go a long way. It is where you can keep your valuables when someone else is occupying your house. Remember to store the deposit box in a secured place that is unknown and unreachable by your guests.
