For sure, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) have opened new ways for homeowners to rent out their houses. With the Internet that has become an inseparable part of our lives, getting involved in this business has become as easy as pie.
However, with free speech reigning in the platforms, you can get honest reviews on your service and the ADU itself. Read this article to find out more about the impact of guest reviews, the role of host responses, the potential for fake reviews, and much more.
When people want to have a reservation or rent an ADU, they pay attention to the guest reviews and ratings and make a decision based on that. Hence, for many renters, it is a really helpful way to find out more about the unit. Consequently, positive reviews are highly likely to increase the probability of a future booking you will have. Moreover, it is also important to have reviews that describe details like safety implications, the condition of all the amenities, and the rooms' furniture.
On the other hand, being negative will influence the number of bookings in a bad way. Who will the negativity encourage to rent the unit? No one. But you can always change the situation by solving the issues named in these reviews.
Even though you may provide excellent service, renters still can not look forward to leaving reviews. Hence, they need some encouragement to respond with a review.
The typical strategies for encouraging you to comment on your living space are the following:
Reminding your tenants after they move away should be helpful.
Offer your dwellers access to some bonuses like discounts on future bookings to create a long-term relationship that will lead to a better review.
If you see the review, be it positive or negative, feel free to answer. This will let your tenants see how you answer their claims, and they will be encouraged to write reviews.
The host responses may give dwellers more info on services they provide, clarify certain ideas of the review, or the prices that you have. It will be helpful not only for the people you answer but also for future tenants looking for extra info. If they see that you are polite and easily comment on your property, they will contact you much faster.
Overall, host responses turn the basic reviews into full conversations. The more amicably you answer today, the more money you will generate from your house and other properties tomorrow.
You will be surprised, but things like location and amenities also influence the reviews. As for the location, tenants tend to praise the units located in the city center, with a short walk to the parking, near attractions, or other places of interest. Hence, it will increase the final rating.
As for the latter, everyone wants to live in a comfortable unit, so things like free WiFi, a full kitchen, or a refurbished bathroom and bedroom. For many, it is an important part of renting a unit, so the presence of such things will make the stay there cozy, and it will affect the review.
Being accurate in the listing description you publish can positively influence the way tenants consider your property. For example, if you include real photos and details or are simply honest about your property, it will boost your unit in the eyes of possible tenants.
Overall, the reviews will show what they really think of your granny flat. By doing so, you will achieve the correspondence of their expectations and final experience.
Even though regular maintenance and laundry will cost you some money, the impact of it on guest reviews is immeasurable. Seeing the cleanliness of the property allows them to make the right decisions concerning renting your ADU and be satisfied with the condition of the rooms.
This will increase the chance of good reviews and let you set up more competitive prices to compensate for the fees for the cleaning. Remember, cleanliness in the property means cleanliness in the business!
Communication is the key to a healthy relationship between the renter and the landlord. But for many homeowners, it is rather difficult.
The following tips will help you communicate with the customers:
By keeping in mind these tips, you will be able to impact the guest reviews and ratings in a good way.
When it comes to pricing, it is all about balance. You need to get the best deal both for you and your customer. To do so, you shall do research on the market, consider your expenses for a date, and set up the sum you want to get from your ADU.
Fair pricing is the best way to ensure the satisfaction of your guests. They will report their emotions via the reviews, allowing you to find more dwellers.
The choice of a platform where you will advertise your ADU is an important step. For example, certain sites require obligatory photos, making reviews more informative. However, for other platforms, it may take some time to get used to them, and it will hinder tenants from leaving their comments there.
When choosing a platform, pay attention to the features of it and how easy it is to use. Opt for the ones with a clear design and a few extra features to encourage the tenants to stay there.
As for fake reviews, they can fail your business, so it is essential to know how to handle them. While certain homeowners hire a team or use special programs to monitor reviews, we will do it on our own.
The following tips can help you handle misleading reviews:
Keeping the reviews true will make you look great in the eyes of the tenants.
The first key is to keep the house family-friendly. The children should have a place to play (with safety provided), the wife should have a room to rest after a day at work and cook food, and the friends should be able to come in the evening and stay overnight. Great ownership requires your attention to all family members and more.
The main elements they pay attention to are the distance from the city center, the low payment, the good condition of your bath and bedroom, and the availability of parking lots. Also, the patio nearby may boost your chances of them renting your ADU.
The dates you pick for renting out an ADU depend on many factors. To choose the date, pay attention to when tourists visit your city. Renting out your properties will be much easier. Also, consider special dates like the holiday week or local festivals.
