Supporting safe stays for private or shared room guests
Highlights
Provide detailed house rules and explain who will share the space
Ensure private spaces have locks
Update your listing and house rules
Make sure private spaces are private
It might sound obvious, but it’s really important to give your guests the option to lock their private room and any bathrooms they can access. If the bedroom where your guests sleep doesn’t have a door that locks, add a lock to give your guests peace of mind.
All private or shared rooms with windows should also have curtains or shades, so your guests can relax comfortably. These don’t have to be fancy—any window coverings will do, as long as they provide full coverage between your guests and the outside world.
Be upfront about who’s in the space
In your listing, clearly share who else might be in your space—such as other guests, Co-Hosts, or friends—and how many private or shared rooms you offer. Once a guest books your space, be sure to message them and let them know if someone else will be staying at or visiting your property while they’re there.
For example, if you have two private rooms, and each has space for one guest, you can message both guests and let them know if someone else will be in the other room.You might say something like, "In the private room next to yours, I'll be hosting a young man from England." Guests will appreciate knowing who’s sharing their space. Of course, please don’t share your guests’ personal information without their consent.
Provide specific, detailed house rules
When it comes to shared spaces, clear house rules can help make sure everyone’s on the same page. Hosts of private or shared rooms may want to answer the following questions in their house rules:
- What are your quiet hours?
- What’s shared and what’s not?
- What’s your policy regarding alcohol and drugs?
- What do your guests need to know about privacy? For example, is it necessary to close window shades at night so other guests can’t see into private spaces?
Put solo travelers at ease
We encourage solo travelers staying in private or shared rooms to ask additional questions about their stay, and we encourage you to respond with care and transparency to help put them at ease.
For example, guests traveling alone might ask about:
- Neighborhood safety. Do you have any safety tips that apply to your area?
- Additional guests. What info can you share about anyone else who may be staying at the property?
- Privacy. How much privacy can guests expect in your space?
For everyone’s safety, behave responsibly
If you’re welcoming guests into your home, it’s vital to make smart choices, and the same applies to your guests. For example, you might consider including any alcohol and drug policy in your house rules and reiterating it in a note to guests when they book your space.
Offering clear communication with easy-to-understand info about what you expect of guests and how you conduct yourself as a Host will help connect you with the right guests for your space. And continuing that conversation with guests once they’re in your space will help them feel comfortable—and help to set you up for 5-star reviews.