Self check-in streamlines your guests hosting experience and saves you a heap of time. No longer will you need to wait around for your guest to show up on time. You also won’t have to fix your schedule around dropping off keys. Here’s a detailed guide on offering self check in in your rental.
Guests will have a stress free window of checking in at their leisure. This is particularly great if their travel plans or transport has gone awry, for example flight or traffic delays. Saving guests the stress of having to contact you to rearrange meeting with you makes for a better experience.
Self check in when done correctly is a sure fire way to increase your 5 star ratings. Here’s some things I’d recommend getting to make the process as slick as possible for both you and your guest.
You will need
Manual Key Safes
You can get a manual lock-box with a digit combination for access. Alternatively, you can set up a remote smart lock at the door. Depending on your property type and other access issues you may even have a combination of both.
For mine, I don’t own the building so there is a main communal entry door the guest needs to access. I’ve attached a key safe to the outside of the building out of sight of passing traffic.
There are so many different brands of key safes which can be wall mounted or shackled to fences.
I use a MASTER LOCK key safe which has a discreet black cover. This folds open and a built in light illuminates the numbers behind the dial. This makes it easy for guests arriving even in the later parts of the evening or night.
This lock box contains my property keys which I’ve simplified as much as possible. One key for the building front door and one key for the property front door. The two keys have a cap on each, one red and one blue. My check in message states that Red is for the building and Blue is for the property – simple.
My front door has both a key for the main lock and also a deadlock which requires a different key. I would recommend installing a dead lock with a key that only you have access to. You can then secure the property confidently between bookings to stop anyone from having access.
With out a doubt, a mixed combination offers greater security as the code for the smart lock can be changed for each guest. I could change the lock of the apartment door to be a remote smart lock and just let the guest use the key from the lock-box to let themselves into the building but the way I have it set up at the moment is the simplest. I’m definitely considering this for the future for peace of mind.
Pre-Arrival Communication
Once the property is cleaned and ready to go, I put the key out in the lock-box and send the guest my check in message. This message provides the following:
- A quick description of the location of the lock-box
- The 4 digit access code
- A friendly reminder of the earliest check in time and latest check out time.
I also include a saved image I have of the building which has a red cross edited on at the location of the lock box just in case the guest has trouble with the description and this way they can see the immediate location to go to on arrival.
I make a point of sending this information over within 24 hours of their arrival. When they initially make their booking, my initial message thanks them for the upcoming trip and lets them know I’ll be in touch 24 hours before with their access information. There is no need to provide this information any earlier.
Digital Smart Locks
Alternatively, I’ve stayed at properties that use digital smart locks which allow the guest to input the code at the door to gain access.
The benefit of these is that you can change the code for each stay and should you ever need to, can change the code remotely via an app last minute. I found this type of lock really easy to use as a guest so can easily see the benefits of installing one.
The only downside is that you’d likely need to get a handyman to install it as it’s integrated into the door like a normal lock. The price tag is also considerably higher than a manual key safe. Despite this, they are well worth a look at and may be the solution that your property and hosting style needs.
Video Doorbell
I have an exterior Ring doorbell recording camera by the apartment front door in the communal hallway inside the building. I’d strongly recommend an exterior security camera like this even if you don’t offer self check in.
This lets you monitor an influx of strangers to prevent a party. It also lets you keep an eye on a regularly visited property when it’s vacant. And lastly, helps to ensure that your house rules are being respected in the exterior of your property.
The device itself is easy to install with several mounting options. As it’s battery operated, doesn’t require any wiring into the property which is a big plus.
This battery lasts months before needing charging again and is easy to do when it reminds you off low power. The set up via the app and WiFi is simple too, even for those who are hesitant to us technology.
Another benefit of a Ring doorbell, is that if the guest locks themselves out they can contact you. By pressing the doorbell button you’ll then be able to communicate with them through the ring doorbell video call. This is particularly useful if the guest has locked their phone inside.
Once installed, Airbnb requires that you amend your profile to notify guests. You can select the option on that declares an outdoor audio and visual device is there. It’s polite to let guests know they can be recorded, for external security reasons only.
Airbnb does not permit interior cameras so do not install this inside your property. It goes without saying that there shouldn’t be any audio or video monitoring in guest areas like bedrooms. But this also includes any hallways or common areas within the home.
Arrival
Lastly, hosts that greet guests on arrival can give guests a quick tour of the property.
As nobody will be there to welcome the guest to help them settle, I leave out a sign. This just contains a welcome message, the WiFi password, a reminder of the checkout time. It also has an easy to read icon for ‘No Smoking’.
I also leave some extras as guests will be looking around when they first arrive. The reason I leave these extra bits in each room is so there is sometime to find as they explore.
This hopefully makes the solo welcome a better and a little more exciting experience. It gives me a great chance to make up for the lack of interaction that self check in provides.
Departure
On the morning of departure when the booking comes to an end, I send over a short and friendly message. This thanks them for their visit, reminds of the check out time, and gives instruction for leaving the keys.
I always offer the option of meeting guests if they prefer. As a host, I find most guests prefer the relaxed arrival that self check in allows. When I’m staying in short term lets myself, I prefer to freedom this option allows for my travels too.