HostAbout is a service provider who can administer and synchronise all services a Host requires to manage a successful holiday rental through Airbnb/VRBO/BookEasy. HostAbout is not affiliated with Airbnb/VRBO/BookEasy. These services are able to be conducted throughout each stay, namely before each guest’s arrival, during each guest’s stay and after the guests have left the property. Our range of services have been put together to take the hassle away, so you the Host can focus on helping your guest have an amazing holiday rental experience. HostAbout also offers a range of services to the guest on the Host’s behalf to help their guests create wonderful holiday memories, all of these additional features can be found on our services page, or by contacting us directly, anytime.

HostAbout currently only operates on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. We currently manage properties from Mount Eliza to Portsea.

Anyone who owns a holiday rental or is looking to rent out their own home as a holiday rental, can use HostAbout.

If you don’t have time to manage, organise services, or you’re not available to check on the details of your holiday rental, we can take care of all of this for you. We administer communication and bookings through the platform websites on your behalf and then synchronise all the services required to go with each booking. HostAbout is also a great option for anyone who is looking to (or would like to) manage their own bookings, but would prefer to leave the hassle of services required for each booking to us (for example. Cleaning, linen, gardening etc.). If this sounds like the experience you would like to have, then reach out to us!

HostAbout currently lists properties on Airbnb/Airbnb Luxe, VRBO (HomeAway and Stayz), Marriott Homes & Villas, Mornington Peninsula Tourism Board, Book Easy and we can accept bookings directly too via our website.

HostAbout will recreate your listing to manage through the central booking engine, we no longer co-host Airbnb accounts.

You will ultimately have say over the listing, this is your property. HostAbout create the profiles and will manage all the communications, administrative requirements and services for your home or holiday rental. The setup is a once off Administration task but edits can be made at any time. We will ask you to provide us with a criteria of your ideal guest and ask for your input in the following areas, for example:

  • The dates and times for your property to be available to guests
  • What you would like your nightly rate to be
  • Whether you would like to rent your property out to families rather than groups of friends
  • You can decide whether pets are allowed (i.e. you may not want large dogs)

You also ask you to provide us with house rules for your property which will be placed in the house manual for your guests and more. Please speak to us for further details.

HostAbout is unable to guarantee a property will receive bookings, however HostAbout is here to ensure we take the hassle out of hosting and does its utmost to ensure that your holiday rental property has an attractive and inviting profile and will provide tips and tricks to increase the rate of booking success.

Once you have contacted us, we are officially engaged by you and we have created your new Accounts, HostAbout will send you a checklist of items, and any other relevant details, that is a requirement for all platforms.

We will also supply you with some of our own tips, tricks and advice to help leave a lasting impression on your guests for repeat stays.

Yes, a member of the HostAbout team can re-stock the basics for you as a time and materials request. One of our team members will conduct a walk through prior to your guests’ arrival and also after the exit clean has been performed after departure, whilst they complete this they will be checking the stocks of these basics. You will be contacted once this has been completed to notify you if anything needs to be re-stocked and seek your approval for this, one of our team members will then be able to replace any items for you.

You are able to cancel your engagement with HostAbout at anytime, it just needs to be in writing. However, if you already have any confirmed bookings and services for your property whilst you are under the management of the platforms, it is important to understand that you must honour both the booking through the booking platform and the services for your property from HostAbout.

When HostAbout becomes the Administrator of your Account, we will not be able to cancel any confirmed reservations unless there is an extenuating circumstance. Cancellation of guests reservations can have serious implications and add major costs to their trip, so penalties can apply. Please refer to Airbnb and HomeAway cancellation policy for Hosts. We do however understand that circumstances in life can change and therefore recommend you maintain your calendar closely.

It is actually quite common for guests to check in late or later than first planned – traffic delays are par for the course over peak periods. Offering guests a keysafe is the best option here as this gives them flexibility to arrive safely and without stress and pressure.

Secure Key Lock
All homes must provide a Keysafe/Lockbox option for guest entry, so they can arrive late with minimal impact (we communicate pre0arrival with the keycode to the property).

Check in
On the day of check-in we will be at your property to turn on lights, aircons or heaters and ensure the property is ready for your guests and also verify the keys are in the keysafe ready for the guest to access.

Check out
A HostAbout team member will arrive promptly at the property upon check-out of your guest or arrive in between the check-out and check-in, if back to back bookings.

We will check to make sure the house keys have been placed back in the secure key lock or collect from the guest and also perform a walk-through of the property. This will involve checking for any damage or missing items throughout the property, any items that require restocking such as toilet paper or basic kitchen items, whilst completing the check if the team member notices any damage to the property or any items within the property that have been damaged or missing (which is unlikely) the team member will provide photos of this damage where possible, so that you are able to make any necessary arrangements in relation to this.

It is important, as this is your property, that you take the necessary steps to protect you and and your property – this would be from external surveillance and insurance. HostAbout does not offer insurance – owners are required to do this directly with an insurance provider that covers short stay holiday rental accommodation. 

Owners are also eligible for limited insurance via the platforms – this information is available on their site at the time of signing up.  We are obliged to comply with the offering by them at the time, should a claim be sought by damages of property during a guest stay that can be proved. Airbnb offers a $1,000,000 AUD Host Guarantee programme to protect you from accidental damage to your property and also offers a Host Protection Insurance programme designed to protect you from liability, this is used in case your guests get hurt or causes damage to your property. Similarly VRBO/HomeAway offer $1M Liability Insurance.

We can assure you HostAbout will screen all your guests in accordance with your preferences you have requested in our initial consultation. For example: If you have requested that there is to be No Schoolies staying at your property, we will ensure these preferences are adhered to. By letting us know what your preferences are from the beginning, you decide about the type of guests you would like to have come and stay at your property.

The HostAbout team will also help create a house manual for your property which will include your house rules and any instructions that may help your guest. This manual will give you the opportunity to set out any rules that your guests must abide by for example: no smoking inside the property and outdoor smoking instructions.

HostAbout sets a bond/security deposit for each of your guest bookings. In the unlikely event, the bond/security deposit can be used to help cover any minor incidents that occur during your guest’s stay, these might normally be things such as a lost key or broken plates and/or glasses and this will also help provide you peace of mind about your property.

A member of the HostAbout team will take photos of any issues/damage or will contact you whilst they are at the property so you are aware of the issues as soon as we are, so you are able to start the necessary steps to resolve the issue. As per our Terms & Conditions, you will be charged accordingly for any extra services which are undertaken.

Once your booking is accepted via the booking platform, the funds are paid and held by each platform.  In some cases advanced payment is made by these providers and it is transferred to the HostAbout Trust bank account.  Booking payout balances are paid to Owners after all services for the booking are complete (after a guest departure).

If repair work is discovered at property HostAbout will investigate this on your behalf and liaise for best course of action.

If you are a Host who provides your own linen for your guests, we have linen and laundry services available. This may include our cleaners removing the linen from beds after your guests’ departure and our arrangement for laundry services. We will then arrange for the linen to be returned and the beds made. If this cannot be completed in time, because you have back to back bookings, you are required to supply an extra set of bedding or alternatively HostAbout can arrange to have linen supplied on your behalf, this can include: bed linen (bed sheet set, pillowcases, duvet/doona cover), bath towels, hand towels, bath mats, kitchen tea towels (you will be contacted by a HostAbout team member when bookings are made to see if you require this service).

We do not allow any homes to operate under a BYO linen or bedding arrangement – it is included by the Host by hire or owner supplied.

Hopefully we have covered off your questions, but if not – feel free to reach out via our contact form.  Thank you!

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