Do you have a property in Rome that you are ready to list as an Airbnb option? Are you excited as to where this venture will take you and do you want to be sure you go about things in the “right” way? While listing a property doesn’t have to be difficult, there are several things that hosts should know before in advance. Listing a property in Rome means you'll be up against a lot of competition, so you want to be sure that your property catches the eye of guests and that you're able to keep it filled.
Here’s a breakdown of the most important things hosts need to know when listing an Airbnb in Rome.
Is Your Property Located in a Prime Area?
Before you can go ahead and list your Rome property on Airbnb, it’s important to look at the basics, starting with location. Is it in an area that would be attractive to renters? This also comes down to the kind of tenants you're trying to attract. For example, there are areas of the city that are popular with singles and younger people such as Trastevere, Monti, Testaccio, and Prati, so they are lively and fun. But then other areas are ideal for guests who want a more laidback and quiet experience. You can read more here about the dynamics of listing a property in Rome.
What Length of Letting Terms Do You Want to Offer?
Then there are the different types of letting in Rome, which are short, medium, and long-term. Some rules and regulations apply to short-term letting here in Rome, so you'll need to be well-versed in those before making a decision. For example, one rule is that the host, which is you, must give a written contract for short-term rentals that are less than 30 days. Should you decide to offer long-term letting, then you'll need to register them with the Italian Tax Agency, and you will have to pay a 2% tax rate on your total rent.
Which type of letting is right for you? There is no cut-and-dry answer, as there are pros and cons to short and long-term rentals.
Listing on Airbnb May Not Be as Simple as You Thought
Because there has been so much attention on Airbnb, billing it as an easy way for hosts to make income on a property, many have come to the false conclusion that it's simple to list a property. While this may have been true once, it's certainly not the case today. Today it can feel like a very complex and confusing process.
One example is the guest registration rule that applies. These are security standards that have been laid out by the Italian authorities, which require you to submit your guests' information to the Police Headquarters. The process is made easy with an accommodations portal you can use, but again it just shows there are important steps you need to be aware of and follow.
Look Into Enhanced Cleaning Guidelines
Ensuring your property is cleaned between guests is important, but did you also know that because of the COVID-19 pandemic you may be responsible for enhanced cleaning and disinfection? For more information, it's best to refer to the guidelines that have been published by the Italian government.
High-Quality Photos are a Must Have in the Listing
Once you have familiarised yourself with all the rules and regulations, it's time to think about the listing. In a crowded market space like Rome, it can be difficult for your property to stand out, so thought and extra care are needed. One of the best pieces of advice is to ensure you include lots of photos from different angles, in different lighting, and in different areas of the property. The photos should be high-quality so that they are clear.
The more photos you provide, the more open you will appear, which gives potential tenants confidence in your property. They want to know exactly what they are getting before they enter into a contract.
Take Time to Write the Property Description
All too often, people rush through the description hastily slapping something together that can be posted. This is a guaranteed way to have your property overlooked. You need to include a hook, something unique to grab their attention, and then provide in-depth accurate information. When reading the listing, people should be able to easily envision themselves in the property and understand what kind of guest experience they would have.
Listings shouldn’t just include details about the interior, but also the surrounding area. Let people know about nearby attractions, sights, and amenities. Some of the key features people look for include information on:
Shopping
Dining
Public transportation
Attractions and sights
Entertainment
A good tip is to look at other property listings in Rome to get a sense of what they are highlighting. You don’t want to copy a listing, rather you can use it as inspiration and then find the features that make your listing unique.
Making Changes to the Property - Update the Listing
Should you make any cosmetic changes to the property or add/take away amenities, you must update your listing immediately. Remember, the listing needs to be accurate at all times so you need to stay up-to-date. If guests arrive and something is missing or changed since the photos you posted, you can bet you won’t be getting a good review, which can severely hurt your rental income moving forward.
What About the Extra Touches?
Some Airbnb hosts choose to go the extra mile and offer extra touches like a welcome gift for guests and a personalised note. This can go a long way toward guest satisfaction.
Leave the Airbnb Property Management to Someone Else
Finally, if all of these tips seem like too much work and will occupy too much of your time, you may want to leave property management to someone else. You can check out options like Upper Key that will step in and act as your Airbnb Property Management service making sure all the stress is off your shoulders. Once you agree to terms with UpperKey, they take over in terms of full Airbnb management services, including such things as vetting tenants, sourcing tenants, repairs and maintenance, and making sure the property looks great, so it gets the highest rent possible.
Being Prepared Will Help Guarantee Success
By reading all you can about letting an Airbnb in Rome, and discovering there are property management services that can help, you’ll be ensuring that your venture will be a big success. The more you know, the more confident you can be when making decisions.