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ENTITY shares how you can avoid having your own Airbnb horror story.

Airbnb rentals are often cheap and convenient, but without the proper preparation, they can quickly turn disastrous.

Nobody wants an Airbnb horror story during their vacation but sometimes it happens. From rude hosts to an unsanitary bedroom, anything can happen when you’re renting someone else’s home. And while there are plenty of horror stories online, you also can’t let these scare you from having a great time.

Thankfully, ENTITY’s got you covered. Here are five important steps you should take to ensure you’re not miserable traveling. Seriously. Don’t skip these steps.

1 To avoid your own Airbnb nightmare, pay attention to the details.

ENTITY shares how you can avoid having your own Airbnb horror story.

In the listings, there are lists of amenities and a map of the general location of the home. Although it may be tempting to judge a rental based on the cheap costs, don’t do it.

If you don’t read the fine print, don’t be surprised if the location doesn’t have Internet or if it’s far from the heart of the city. Not surprisingly, cheaper locations offer fewer amenities and are farther from the hustle and bustle of tourist attractions.

Also look for any hidden fees that might be charged. For one, know that Airbnb charges a service fee of six to 12 percent the total nightly right. And in European countries, there’s a Value Added Tax (VAT) fee included in the service fee. Some hosts may even charge you more for using Wi-Fi. So pay attention.

2 Always always always contact the host before booking.

Lack of communication can lead to a series of misunderstandings and ruined plans.

So, reach out to your host and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Besides, using this as a first point of contact allows you to build rapport with your host.

In fact, many listings even require you to “apply” to rent a home. The application typically asks you to send the host a message describing why staying at the location is important to you. Therefore, speaking with the owner before even sending the application helps build trust and confidence in you.

3 Do the necessary research.

ENTITY shares how you can avoid having your own Airbnb horror story.

In order to make sure your stay is worth the money, rely heavily on ratings and customer feedback, which the host can’t control. And when you look at ratings, look at how many people have rated it and the host’s listed response rate. The last thing you want to do is be stuck trying to contact a host that never responds!

On top of that, be wary of the photos posted online. Keep in mind that different angles and better lighting can easily make a location look fresh and elegant when it really isn’t.

4 Make sure the rental fits your needs.

Before you book, know your budget, personal preferences and, as previously stated, all the details of your stay. If you have five people you need to accommodate, you probably shouldn’t rent a single room that is for two people.

Airbnb offers different options, depending on your needs. You can book shared homes, private homes or full homes. Are you willing to come home to people you don’t know during your vacation? If not, you should probably make sure you don’t book a shared rental.

5 Have an open mind.

ENTITY shares how you can avoid having your own Airbnb horror story.

It should go without saying, but sometimes renters need reminders. Airbnb homes are not hotels. Many of these places are private homes that people have opened to you. Because of it, understand that you must be respectful and considerate.

Sometimes the bed sheets, though washed, will be old and dingy. The bathroom will probably not be decorated with marble. But despite this, most of the time Airbnb rentals are charming places full of character. And if you stay with your host, you may even get to know new and different people that will help make your vacation an even better one.

Happy travels!

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