Bookings and guest experiences matter, but so does managing risk.. Before any guest steps foot in your property, you need solid measures in place to protect your investment and ensure everyone’s safety. Get this right and you protect your revenue and your peace of mind..
You’re accountable for your guests’ well-being and your property’s security. Get this wrong, and you’re looking at property damage, liability issues, and a fast track to negative reviews that impact your bottom line. You need proactive strategies. You need to think like an operator, anticipating problems before they arise.
This guide gives you six key ways to build a safer, more secure short-term rental operation. It’s about setting up systems that run smoothly, so you can focus on growth, not crisis management.
TL;DR
- Screen every guest thoroughly, using both public profiles and advanced verification tools.
- Implement keyless entry systems for secure and flexible access.
- Equip your properties with essential safety items like first aid kits and fire extinguishers.
- Install reliable smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Create and clearly display emergency exit plans for guests.
- Invest in comprehensive short-term rental insurance to protect your assets and income.
How to vet your guests effectively
Guest screening is non-negotiable. You need to know who’s staying on your property. Start with the basics: review their profile on the booking platform. Check when the account was created and look for positive reviews from previous hosts.
Beyond that, consider using dedicated guest verification solutions. These tools automatically screen for criminal backgrounds or a history of problematic behavior in short-term rentals. They add a critical layer of security without requiring you to manually dig through every applicant. For small hosts, GuestVerify™ automates this process, checking IDs, facial recognition, background details, and flagging potential risks silently in the background. It helps block high-risk stays before they cost you.
Always be on the lookout for red flags. This includes requests to transact outside the platform or vague responses to your questions. Trust your gut; if something feels off, investigate further.
What’s the best way to manage property access?
Keyless door locks are a must-have. Guesty Locks Manager™ saves you the hassle of in-person key handovers and offer guests flexible check-in times. The real benefit, though, is security. Codes automatically expire after check-out, so you never worry about lost or duplicated keys. Only authorized guests can enter.
Consider pairing your smart locks with window and door alarms. This adds another layer of defense and gives your guests an extra sense of security.
| Access Method | Benefits | Downsides |
|---|---|---|
| Physical keys | Simple, no tech required | Lost keys, security risk after check-out, inconvenient handovers |
| Lockboxes | Flexible access without meeting | Keys can be stolen, code management can be manual |
| Smart locks | Automated code expiry, remote management, flexible access | Requires initial setup, internet dependency |
How to prepare for medical emergencies
Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. You need a well-stocked first aid kit in every property. It’s a small investment that makes a big difference in an emergency.
Here’s what a basic kit should include:
- Emergency phone numbers
- Compress dressings
- Adhesive bandages
- Adhesive cloth tape
- Antibiotic ointments
- Aspirin
- Emergency blanket
- Breathing barrier
- Instant cold compress
- Non-latex gloves
- Hydrocortisone ointment packets
- Gauze roll
- Roller bandage
- Sterile gauze pads
- Oral thermometer
- Triangular bandages
- Tweezers
- Emergency First Aid guide
How to prevent accidental fires
Fires are a serious risk. Provide clear, detailed instructions for any heating appliances guests might not be familiar with, like an electric stovetop. If your property is in a wildfire-prone area, inform guests about outdoor product restrictions. You can’t assume they know.
Install top-of-the-line smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These are often legally required, and they’re your first line of defense, enabling quick response.
Have a backup plan. Create and prominently display a fire escape plan. It should include clear maps of all exits and the most practical escape routes. Ensure fire extinguishers are easily accessible and clearly marked.
Why do you need an emergency exit plan?
Your guests don’t know your property like you do. In an emergency, every second counts. You must provide them with detailed information on property exits and the safest escape routes from every room. Don’t just tack it to the back of a door. Make it prominent, easy to understand, and part of your welcome information.
A guest arrives late at night, and a smoke alarm goes off due to a faulty appliance. Without a clear, easily visible exit plan, panic sets in, delaying their safe exit.
How to ensure you have adequate insurance coverage
Booking platforms offer host protection, but these often have significant limitations. You need a dedicated short-term rental insurance policy. This covers you for theft, guest injury, property damage, and lost income. Many specialized policies charge only for occupied nights, making them cost-effective.
Consider a solution like Guesty Shield™, which integrates damage protection, travel protection, guest screening, and liability coverage directly into your operations. Guesty Damage Protection™ helps you manage claims effortlessly, often resolving them in days, and covers both OTA and direct bookings. Guesty Liability Coverage™ offers $1M in protection for injuries and structural damage, with pay-as-you-earn pricing.
FAQ
You can use specialized guest verification solutions, such as GuestVerify™, to automatically screen guests. These tools perform identity validation, background checks, and risk scoring without manual review, flagging high-risk individuals before they arrive.
Smart locks provide flexible check-in/check-out times, enhanced security with automatically expiring codes, and remote management capabilities. They eliminate the need for in-person key handovers and reduce the risk of lost or duplicated keys.
A basic first aid kit should include emergency contact numbers, various bandages and dressings, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, an emergency blanket, non-latex gloves, and an emergency first aid guide.
Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, provide clear instructions for appliances, and ensure fire extinguishers are accessible. Most importantly, create and display a detailed fire escape plan with clear routes and exit points.
Platform-provided host protection often has gaps. Dedicated short-term rental insurance offers comprehensive coverage for theft, injury, property damage, and lost income, tailored to the unique risks of vacation rentals. Solutions like Guesty Shield™ offer integrated protection.