Best Ways To Hide Personal Items in an Airbnb

Airbnb began by renting out houses to tourists looking for a place to stay. Now, this option has become a popular alternative to cramped hotels for traveling families and individuals looking for a unique place to stay. But where can you safely hide personal items while you’re renting out your place?

People rent their homes through Airbnb for various reasons, but leaving your home in the hands of strangers is risky. While you may pack a bag or two when you leave your house to your guests, you cannot simply take all of your valuables with you.

Leaving your items out in the open is strongly discouraged, but stripping your home bare is not the best course of action either. As a homeowner and host, you need to find a balance between protecting your property and the comfort of your guests.

Valuable Items and What to do with them

Portable items that are expensive or have sentimental value should not be kept in the open. This includes things like credit cards, personal documents, jewelry, accessories, or family heirlooms. 

Before you go stowing these things away, however, make sure that your guests will have access to everything they need. This will likely stop them from going through your things, looking for something.

• Anticipate what you think they may need and also ask them if they need anything else before departing your home.
• Make your contact information available so they can reach you in case they need help finding something.
• Also, make a list of where all the necessities are kept and post it somewhere visible. Explain this list to them verbally. 

The less rummaging your guests have to do, the better hidden your personal items will be.

Your Garage and Basement

When it comes to physically hiding your valuables, it depends on the features of your home. If you have a garage, then most of your problems are solved right there. The same can also be done in a basement or an attic.

Don’t bag all your things in a disposable container and dump them in the garage, though. Invest in a container with a lock and key. Move this container to the garage and find a safe hiding place for it. Store your valuables inside and lock it. Remember to take the key to the lock with you when you leave. Place it where you will not lose it.

Your Dining Table and Chair

In a creative attempt to hide your personal items, you can tape documents and other light valuables underneath your dining table, coffee table, or any other table in the house that is not very mobile. Only try this technique with a table that is wide. Tape the item in the middle of the table so guests won’t mistakenly find it while reaching for something else.

You can hide things in the back of your couch cushions as well. Go for a sofa that does not pull out into a bed. If you are hiding something in your couch, it should have its back against the wall.

Bookshelves also make excellent hiding places for items you do not want guests to accidentally find. The top or bottommost shelf is usually the one to go for.

Other Ways to Protect Personal Items

Prevention is better than cure, or rather, repairs. You should hide personal items, of course, but there are other precautionary measures you as an Airbnb host should take to protect your personal property in general.

1. House Rules

Guests may choose to ignore house rules, but having some form of structure is always a good idea. You can be hospitable and still have strict rules that keep your guests on their best behavior.

If you have guests that are kids or teenagers, have a strict no-touch policy on anything that is valuable or breakable. If there is anything that is sensitive to smoke, like upholstery, put up no-smoking signs.

2. It Might Come In The Mail

It may appear inconsequential, but having your mail arrive when your guests are in the house can put you in quite a pickle. Redirect your mail while you’re hosting guests, especially if it is for a while. Ask your neighbors to hold your mail for you if you are on good terms with them.

3. Try Insurance

Another way to protect you and your possessions is to insure them. Even when you hide personal items and set explicit house rules, insurance is a good back up plan. Check out this Insurance option by Airbnb. Airbnb can cover hosts for as much as $1 million in case a guest is injured.

Conclusion

Renting out your home for extra cash is not worth losing personal items over, so make sure you take the time to protect what is yours. Avoid having guests go through your items by providing them with what they need. You can even leave a copy of things to do while in town to keep them entertained. Leave essential toiletries for them like soap, conditioner, and shampoo, along with detergents. A hairdryer might also be an excellent addition.

Keep your kitchen utensils accessible as well. While you are not required to leave any food, having essential cooking items so guests can fix themselves something to eat. This prevents a wild search through cabinets and drawers. The same goes for cleaning items.

Knowing that your hidden personal items are safe will make your experience as an Airbnb host all the more worry-free. Let your stay away from home be an enjoyable one.