How to Be a Great Host for Tenants

Here are some simple steps that every host can follow to prevent hosting from becoming more of a burden than a reward.

"Some of our most enthusiastic hosts are so dedicated to ensuring their guests have an exceptional stay that sometimes they struggle to find time and resources for themselves," says Elle. "They are generous people, and sometimes generous people give too much of themselves to that act of giving."

Define your goals

Are you hosting primarily to make money? For company? To create more art or share the meals you enjoy preparing? Then, it’s important to recognize and feel good about how hosting aligns with and supports these goals. For Elle, hosting on Airbnb started as a way to sustain her apartment. She says that initial goal has evolved into offering an excellent and affordable place to stay in the coveted West Village and giving guests the opportunity to live like a New Yorker. 'I’m proud to be able to share that.'"

Surround yourself with resources

And by resources, Elle refers to those you can "call in a pinch" when, for example, "you need to hand over the keys to someone at 2 p.m. when you're working in an office on the other side of the city." This includes a community of friends, like-minded neighbors, a cleaning service, or people willing to work part-time or on a per-shift basis, exchanging favors or charging for cleaning, key delivery, and guest reception when you can't do it yourself.