30. Airbnb Rental Agreements: Do You Really Need One?

Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator Course

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Episode Summary:
Rental agreements might not be the flashiest part of hosting, but they can be your best protection when things go sideways. In this episode, I’m diving into the real reason you might want to consider having a custom agreement for your Airbnb—even if Airbnb already has built-in terms. I share exactly what we include in our own two-page rental agreement (yes, even the part about shooting cans in the woods 🙃), the legal gray areas, and why I ditched Hospitable’s signature portal. Plus, I spill the truth about what happens when guests don’t want to sign it, how it affects reviews, and when it’s worth the hassle.

Key Takeaways:

• Why rental agreements aren’t required, but might still be worth it
  
  
• What we include in ours (and why)—from quiet hours to pet policies
  
  
• How to enforce a rental agreement if a guest breaks the rules
  
  
• Airbnb’s current stance on outside agreements
  
  
• When to avoid enforcing rules to protect your reviews
  
  
• How to handle guests who don’t want to sign the agreement
  
  

Why Listen to This Episode?
You’ll walk away with a better understanding of when a rental agreement is essential, how to build one that actually holds up, and the sneaky loopholes you should know about to keep both Airbnb and your guests happy.

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Start your Airbnb Profile: Receive $48 back when starting your Airbnb profile and I'll have your back every step of the way!
• Link: https://www.airbnb.com/r/brittanyb15480?s=6&t=061n0g
• Want to learn how to launch an Airbnb?: Every dollar counts when it comes to investing. Save $50 with the Promo-code: 5STARPODCAST
• Link: Airbnb Roadmap Accelerator Course
• Connect with Me on Instagram: Follow me @airbnbroadmappodcast for behind-the-scenes content, tips, and updates.
  
  

Let’s Connect:
Thinking about adding a rental agreement to your Airbnb? DM me on Instagram at @theairbnbroadmap with your questions or share your current setup! I’d love to cheer you on and help you out.

Work With Me:
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Chapters:
0:00 – Baby hiccups & intro
1:25 – When we use rental agreements (and when we don’t)
3:10 – Why Airbnb’s built-in terms aren’t always enough
4:30 – What’s actually in our rental agreement
10:00 – Can you enforce it? (and is it worth it?)
14:30 – How star ratings play into rule enforcement
18:30 – My Hospitable rental agreement experience
21:50 – Airbnb’s latest rules about extra agreements
23:00 – What to do if guests don’t want to sign
25:00 – Direct booking? You definitely need an agreement
27:00 – Final thoughts + bonus pep talk

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