Quick Tip on Guest Instructions!

Quick Tip on Guest Instructions!

Real Estate Agent · Denver, CO · Member since 2022 · 356 posts · 228 votes

As our short term rental portfolio has continued to grow (3 so far), we've learned so many things along the way.  Quick Tip, whatever can go wrong, typically will at some point!  All we can do as property owners is do our best to mitigate those issues.

Case in point, we have 2 older single family homes we Airbnb (1957 and 1960).  The master drain line is galvanized steel.  Over time, these pipes can start to corrode, which can be restrict water flow, and eventually leading to possible backups.  Both of our homes, did just that.  Although there was no MAJOR damage, it certainly caused issues.  According to our plumber, it was likely caused from people flushing items down our toilet that shouldn't have been, such as "flushable wipes".  These wipes can be a big problem..older plumbing cannot handle things like this.

Since then, we have really made things crystal clear for our guests.  We simply have a sign above each toilet of things they should not be flushing down the toilet, and what type of problems it can cause.  We also have smaller stackable washers that can also cause issues if overloaded.

Simple things like a sign telling the guests can show that you as the host is professional, wants to take care of their home, and it can certainly help mitigate issues down the road.  Even though this seems like a simple thing a guest should know, some folks need that reminder.  Since then, knock on wood, we've had no further issues!  Sometimes it's simple things like this that can save you a whole lot of headache, and possibly money. 

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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
3y

When I remodel an older home I gut the galvanized pipes as I don't want this to be an issue later. I want my places as bullet proof as possible. All my older houses are LTR's. I only buy STR'S that are newer and would be a place I would vacation.

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  • Gavin WelchPro Member
    Real Estate Broker · Lakeland, FL · Member since 2011 · 305 posts · 181 votes
    3y
    We not only have signs out in the property but also use an app called hospitible.com that automates the communications between me and the guests. We have trash day reminders, check-in instructions, house rules, check out instructions automatically sent to each guest.. it also changes the door code to the last 4 digits of the guest's phone number for each guest.  No chance a former guest can come back..
  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    3y

    When I remodel an older home I gut the galvanized pipes as I don't want this to be an issue later. I want my places as bullet proof as possible. All my older houses are LTR's. I only buy STR'S that are newer and would be a place I would vacation.

  • Austin, TX · Member since 2019 · 5k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Kenny Smith:

    As our short term rental portfolio has continued to grow (3 so far), we've learned so many things along the way.  Quick Tip, whatever can go wrong, typically will at some point!  All we can do as property owners is do our best to mitigate those issues.

    Case in point, we have 2 older single family homes we Airbnb (1957 and 1960).  The master drain line is galvanized steel.  Over time, these pipes can start to corrode, which can be restrict water flow, and eventually leading to possible backups.  Both of our homes, did just that.  Although there was no MAJOR damage, it certainly caused issues.  According to our plumber, it was likely caused from people flushing items down our toilet that shouldn't have been, such as "flushable wipes".  These wipes can be a big problem..older plumbing cannot handle things like this.

    Since then, we have really made things crystal clear for our guests.  We simply have a sign above each toilet of things they should not be flushing down the toilet, and what type of problems it can cause.  We also have smaller stackable washers that can also cause issues if overloaded.

    Simple things like a sign telling the guests can show that you as the host is professional, wants to take care of their home, and it can certainly help mitigate issues down the road.  Even though this seems like a simple thing a guest should know, some folks need that reminder.  Since then, knock on wood, we've had no further issues!  Sometimes it's simple things like this that can save you a whole lot of headache, and possibly money. 


     It might be smart to start setting aside some money every month in a fund to repair those pipes, as they will just get worse over time.

    They have pipe liners they can use, but I have no idea of the service life, 3 years or 300 years (???)

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUenCMvUJPk

    Good Luck!

  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    3y

    Hey @Kenny Smith. We have signs on every toilet saying the same thing. TP only down the drain. We have all ABS drain pipes but we have a holding tank with a lift pump to the main sewer line. No "flushable wipes" down the toilet.

    I am surprised that there is galvanized steel waste pipes. I haven't seen that before in houses of that age. All I have seen is cast iron.

    Are the main plumbing pipes also galvanized steel? We did our primary home in all PEX and replaced galvanized steel. Our home was built in 1955.

    You will need to replace those as well. I recommend PEX, it has been great!

  • Real Estate Agent · Denver, CO · Member since 2022 · 356 posts · 228 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Gavin Welch:
    We not only have signs out in the property but also use an app called hospitible.com that automates the communications between me and the guests. We have trash day reminders, check-in instructions, house rules, check out instructions automatically sent to each guest.. it also changes the door code to the last 4 digits of the guest's phone number for each guest.  No chance a former guest can come back..
    We've been meaning to look into this..thanks Gavin!  Do you know what the monthly cost is?  
  • Real Estate Agent · Denver, CO · Member since 2022 · 356 posts · 228 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Michael Baum:

    Hey @Kenny Smith. We have signs on every toilet saying the same thing. TP only down the drain. We have all ABS drain pipes but we have a holding tank with a lift pump to the main sewer line. No "flushable wipes" down the toilet.

    I am surprised that there is galvanized steel waste pipes. I haven't seen that before in houses of that age. All I have seen is cast iron.

    Are the main plumbing pipes also galvanized steel? We did our primary home in all PEX and replaced galvanized steel. Our home was built in 1955.

    You will need to replace those as well. I recommend PEX, it has been great!


     Thanks for the recommendation Michael!  I am not 100% to be honest..I've been in touch with my plumber as I know eventually they will need to be replaced.

  • Rental Property Investor · Ocean Springs, MS · Member since 2022 · 349 posts · 301 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Kenny Smith:
    Quote from @Gavin Welch:
    We not only have signs out in the property but also use an app called hospitible.com that automates the communications between me and the guests. We have trash day reminders, check-in instructions, house rules, check out instructions automatically sent to each guest.. it also changes the door code to the last 4 digits of the guest's phone number for each guest.  No chance a former guest can come back..
    We've been meaning to look into this..thanks Gavin!  Do you know what the monthly cost is?  

     I have it as well, pretty handy and syncs calendars across Air, VRBO, and Booking.com $25 a month. 

  • Gavin WelchPro Member
    Real Estate Broker · Lakeland, FL · Member since 2011 · 305 posts · 181 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Kenny Smith:
    Quote from @Gavin Welch:
    We not only have signs out in the property but also use an app called hospitible.com that automates the communications between me and the guests. We have trash day reminders, check-in instructions, house rules, check out instructions automatically sent to each guest.. it also changes the door code to the last 4 digits of the guest's phone number for each guest.  No chance a former guest can come back..
    We've been meaning to look into this..thanks Gavin!  Do you know what the monthly cost is?  
    I think it’s $25.00
  • Real Estate Agent · Smoky Mountains, TN · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 984 votes
    3y

    Good tips!  We do similar things with signage, but try not to go over the top having them have to read while on vacation.

  • Investor · Member since 2022 · 1k+ posts · 754 votes
    3y

    I put these types of things in welcome messages and guide books

  • Member since 2022 · 27 posts · 5 votes
    3y

    Hi guys, is there a post where someone actually posted their visual aides for guests?  It sounds like a lot of people have created these so I'd like to copy from the best instead of trying to recreate the wheel.

  • Collin HaysBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Gatlinburg, TN · Member since 2020 · 3k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    3y
    Quote from @Tom Freestone:

    Hi guys, is there a post where someone actually posted their visual aides for guests?  It sounds like a lot of people have created these so I'd like to copy from the best instead of trying to recreate the wheel.


     Half of Hobby Lobby is signs.  My all-time favorite is Live, Laugh, Love.  

  • KiKi ChaseBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2022 · 184 posts · 75 votes
    3y

    Great advice! We have signs like this at a couple of our properties, and it definitely helps nudge people in the right direction. Another great option is having a digital guidebook that sends to the guest prior to their arrival, that lists things like that, and entry info, wifi info, things to do in the area, etc! We have used Hospitable in the past for automated guide books, but we're in the process of making some on Canva. :) 

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