How has COVID-19 impacted on your Airbnb property?

Has anyone noticed a reduction in bookings due to the coronavirus?

I've only just started with Airbnb again, so I can't really tell, but definitely feels slow on the bookings.

I'm thinking of bringing another apartment onto Airbnb next week, wondering if I should just stick with long term leases till this blows over.

 

I am having one of my biggest months ever this month. March only has 2 bookings and April has none at this stage.

 

interesting article on the ABC
Landlords reconsider renting on Airbnb as patrons decline amid bushfire and coronavirus fears

Airbnb operators take huge hit amid bushfires, coronavirus, causing some to reconsider the platform

 

I just posted on another thread, haven't had a booking at our airbnb since the outbreak, we had a really good Easter booking and already had a group in there on a longish booking. Our Easter booking cancelled as they have had to cancel their wedding, the house is actually for sale but if not sold we will put it on the rental market and re assess in a year or two.

 

yeh im taking a hit for sure. got a few guests from overseas that have obviously cancelled and yeh less bookings. thinking i might up the weekly discount to something fairly substantial for a while. there must still be some local demand. people travelling to visit sick family or as you suggest Simon. Maybe a few 14 day bookings but don't really want to be cleaning such bookings

 

Someone posted this on an Airbnb facebook group.

If anybody wanted a mini getaway.

 

I've surprisingly had pretty good utilisation. all last minute bookings, some overseas some local.

try the other channels as well to further improve bookings. i.e. stayz, booking.com, trip adviser.

 

Update: the March bookings got cancelled.

New booking for March/April for 2 weeks for self-isolation for people returning to Perth from overseas. Special offer of $2,750 accepted. That will make March less painful.

 

air bnb did email this morning which included

"First and foremost, we are going to get through this crisis as partners—our success is dependent on the success of you, our hosts. We are working day and night on a plan of action that will help you get through this extremely difficult time. We will share this with you as soon as possible in the coming weeks."

so sounds like they might throw a few bob hosts way?

 

Im not an AirBnb host but I am a frequent user. Have just cancelled my booking on the Mornington Peninsula for this weekend as a friends wedding has been cancelled and overseas guest arriving will face quarantine.

 

We have guests leaving on Wednesday and then no bookings at all. We did have a 5 week booking from Hong Kong who naturally cancelled. Fortunately this is a granny flat and we don't rely on the income. I feel for people who need their AirBnB income to pay off mortgages etc.

 

I had my 5 week company booking cancelled. It was on Homeaway so the cancellation policy was pretty much none back to the guest. But I said I would give him future credit.

I have already listed the property for long term lease. Some interest which is good.

Pretty bad for short term at the moment.

 

If you have an AirBnB at the moment I would definitely put it up for long term rent for at least 12 months.

This is going to take 12 months or more before we see any people movement back to normal levels, and potentially longer if you rely on international travelers.

Yes people will bounce back and travel again as soon as the borders are open, but in mass a lot of individuals and businesses are going to take awhile to repair balance sheets and confidence again before they move around at levels seen before.

This is going to be a significant economic event which will take awhile to recover from. And it will be a bumpy road as well.

 

i note yesterday air bnb said the following. not great for me as i have a 'moderate' cancellation policy and most guests cancelled > 5 days out..might get a few hundred out of many thousands lost. I will apply for relief if they invite me to.

"
We will pay $250 million to hosts to help cover the cost of COVID-19 cancellations.
When a guest cancels an accommodation reservation due to a COVID-19 related circumstance, with a check-in between March 14 and May 31, we will pay you 25% of what you would normally receive through your cancellation policy. This applies retroactively to all COVID-19 related cancellations during this period. This cost will be covered entirely by Airbnb. These payments will begin to be issued in April. Guests with reservations booked on or before March 14 will still be able to cancel and receive a standard refund or travel credit equivalent for 100% of what they paid. You can go to airbnb.com/250Msupport for more details.

We are creating a $10 million Superhost Relief Fund.
This is designed for Superhosts who rent out their own home and need help paying their rent or mortgage, plus long-tenured Experience hosts trying to make ends meet. Our employees started this fund with $1 million in donations out of their own pockets, and Joe, Nate and I are personally contributing the remaining $9 million. Starting in April, hosts can apply for grants for up to $5,000 that don't need to be paid back. You can go to airbnb.com/superhostrelief for more details.

We are making it easy for your previous guests to send financial support directly to you.
We have heard from countless guests who are incredibly grateful for the flexibility of Airbnb hosts and are interested in supporting you financially. We are creating a way for guests to send a note along with a contribution to any of the hosts who they’ve previously stayed with. We expect this to go live in April. We know that even a little goes a long way during this challenging time.
"

 

I think strict used to something like no refunds at all, then at least 14 days out with 50% refund (I think!), then very recently without really telling anybody they made it only 7 days. So I think there is hardly any difference between moderate and strict.
I could be wrong though.