Advice For Renters Choosing Between Short-Term Renting and Airbnb
Airbnb has gained immense popularity across the globe in a relatively short amount of time. The website allows homeowners to rent out anything from a spare sofa bed to a whole property, with minimal fuss. The site’s main appeal is that it provides tenants with a cheap and easy place to stay. In addition to having revolutionised travel, it’s also becoming a solution for tenants looking for a practical short-term place to live. That’s why we thought we’d offer some advice for renters who may be stuck deciding which way to go.
If this applies to you, we’d advise you consider the following four factors:
1. Security
It’s pretty obvious that you’re going to be more protected and have more rights when renting from a traditional landlord. All of those pesky documents and deeds you have to sign actually do have a point: they give you rights as a tenant. Unfortunately, if you rent using Airbnb, you don’t have any legal tenant rights as you’re considered a guest, no matter how long you’ve been residing there. This also means that you don’t have a fixed term security and your host can choose to evict you at any time with very little repercussions (apart from the bad review!). So, if it’s stability, security and rights you’re after, our advice for renters is to do just that – rent!
2. Overall Experience
On the flipside, going through Airbnb means you won’t have to deal with all this red tape. Plus, your host won’t have a formal ‘landlord’ status so living in Airbnb accommodation can mean a more chilled out experience. Whilst every experience differs, there is a more personal touch to having a host rather than a landlord, too. Many may offer to cook meals for you and, if you’ve moved to an unfamiliar place, having someone to show you around and socialise with can make the dreary idea of temporary accommodation a bit more bearable. If you’re looking for a no-strings-attached, sociable and laid back short-term stay, our advice for renters would be to look for Airbnb’s that allow guests to stay for weeks or months at a time.
3. Price
One of our top pieces of advice for renters looking for short-term accommodation is to consider money and budget as a priority. Remember, whilst some prices on Airbnb can look very cheap and appealing, you have to factor in that you’ll be paying for the night. This can get pricey depending on the length of your stay and any other service and cleaning fees a host may charge. However, it is worth negotiating a cheaper price with your host if you’re able to commit to a lengthy stay. Our advice for renters? Do a little bit more research. The cost of short-term renting vs. Airbnb will vary in different areas.
4. Your personal circumstances
Truthfully, there’s no one right answer for everyone – our advice varies depending on the renter in question. For instance, if you’re spending a few months in another city for a job, it’s worth finding out if there’s a possibility you might end up staying longer than your initial contract. If so, it may be best to get something a bit more stable and permanent. Likewise, if you crave a more nomadic lifestyle and don’t like to be too grounded,