Many people, including us, rely on short-term housing sites to find accommodation when they travel. Though we’re not as experienced as some, we have learned a few things in our time on the road. So we offer the questions we’ve learned to ask about accommodations (whether you rent from Airbnb or someone else).
Before You Book
1. Are there additional costs? Usually, the Airbnb listing will tell you, but it’s not a bad idea to ask. At one flat, we were surprised to learn that there would be a charge if we exceeded our electrical allowance. We had no idea what that allowance would be. The limit was reasonable, but it might not have been; we should have asked before we booked.
2. On what floor is the unit? Is there a lift/elevator? This is an especially important question if you have mobility issues. (Or if you are sensitive to noisy upstairs neighbours.) Buildings in most countries require a lift beyond a certain number of stories, but that number can be pretty high! It’s worth asking about the accessibility of the neighbourhood, too. Our flat in Kotor was at the top of a steep hill: for some, the climb would be impossible.
3. Is there public transportation close by? Airbnb gives you only a general idea of where a place is before you book. If, like us, you travel without a car, you will want to know what it’s like to get around. While you’re at it, ask exactly what kind of transportation is available.
4. Are guests permitted? How about overnight guests? Not all owners indicate their policy. So if you know you’ll want to have visitors staying with you, find out beforehand whether they are permitted. (Often, short stays are not a problem if you ask in advance.) We once helped a friend carry luggage to her Airbnb place in Rome, and when the owner arrived, he was upset, thinking we were also planning to stay there.
5. How noisy is the neighbourhood? It’s hard to get a straight answer to this one, but if you are a light sleeper it’s worth asking. You can also ask how many units there are in the building where the flat is located, and what’s immediately downstairs. If it’s a bar, it probably won’t be quiet.
6. Can we receive mail? We have our mail attended to by family members (thanks guys!), but we occasionally need to receive something in physical form. If that’s your situation, check beforehand. If not, many (but not all) cities have Amazon lockers for receiving packages.
Once You Arrive
7. How do things work? Some places leave instruction manuals for major appliances, and most of us know how to use a refrigerator or a microwave (but not always a washer). Still, it’s worth going through the appliances as soon as you arrive, because instructions are not always available or (when they are) in a language you know. So check on the washer, dryer (if there is one), heater, air conditioner, stove, oven, and other equipment.
8. Where is the circuit breaker or fuse box? You don’t want to be caught off-guard if the lights go out at night. If you have a fuse box, ask the owner to give you extra fuses in case they blow. (Believe us, you don’t want to be looking for fuses in a foreign country!) Extra credit if you ask for matches and candles.
9. What do we do in case of an emergency? As responsible travelers, you’ve already memorized police and ambulance numbers for the country you’re in (right?). But it’s worth consulting with your landlord about what they want you to do for other kinds of emergencies, like a pipe bursting or a window breaking. Mostly, they’ll want you to tell them first, but occasionally they may give you another contact person. Maybe also ask about the nearest emergency room, while you’re at it.
10. Where is the best grocery store? Google will give you a close store but not necessarily the best one. While you’re at it, ask about one or two good restaurants in the area, especially if you want to eat out in your first couple of days. Some flats have a book full of recommendations, but at others there is little information available. And if there’s other stuff you care about as much as food [!?!?…] ask about it too!
Those are our tips, learned at some cost, for things to check out before you rent a place from Airbnb – or anyone else. Let us know if they’re useful, and if you have others to add!
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