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1. What are the essential amenities I should provide to my guests as a host?

Essential amenities are the basic items that a guest expects in order to have a comfortable stay. These include:

  • Toilet paper
  • Soap (for hands and body)
  • Towels
  • Sanitizers
  • Water
  • Disposable cutlery items
  • First aid kit

Recommended quantities of each item depends on the number of guests and the length of their stay. For longer stays, if you provide extras of each amenity, this ensures guests have everything they need.

We encourage hosts to communicate with your guests during the booking process to get their preference.

We strongly encourage hosts to provide essential amenities in all their listings.

Adding essential amenities to your listing

If you are providing the full list of essential amenities in your space, you can indicate this on your listing. Click the Essentials option under the Amenities tab.

Only click Essentials if you are providing each item on the list above. Listings that are inaccurately represented may be subject to penalties, including removal from Resortifi.

2. What if I don’t provide essential amenities in my property listing?

While we don’t require hosts to provide essential amenities in their listing, we strongly encourage it. Guests have told us that these are the items they expect for a comfortable stay. And when viewing potential places to stay, guests are able to see the amenities you offer and filter to only see listings that offer the amenities they feel are important.

Adding essential amenities to your listing If you are providing the full list of essential amenities in your space, you can indicate this on your listing. Click the Essentials option under the Amenities tab.

Only click essentials if you are providing each item on the list above. Recommended quantities of each item depends on the number of guests and the length of their stay. For longer stays, if you provide extras of each amenity, this ensures guests have everything they need.

Listings that have the essential amenities option selected but do not actually provide the items (toilet paper, soap for hands and body, towels, sanitizer, facemasks, etc.) may be subject to penalties, including removal from Resortifi.

3. Why should I confirm the amenities I provide?

Guests are more likely to consider a space when listing details are accurate, and meet a basic level of professional finish. From time to time, guests may note that they cannot find things expected during their stay. To build trust and meet expectations, take a moment to confirm or update your listing details so you can deliver a great stay and maintain good reviews. If asked, submit a photo in Manage Your Space to confirm the presence of your amenities. These photos will only be used to confirm an amenity’s presence, and will not be published on Resortifi.

Amenities guests expect

Guests expect some basics when they stay with you so they can freshen up and have a good time.

  • Pool/backyard accessories. This includes safety jackets, kids’ water toys, sun screen, hairnet, extra towels, chairs, table, place to keep belongings etc.
  • Working locks. For a private room, this means providing a working lock on the door to the private entrance. For an entire home, this means providing a working lock on the main entrance.
  • Bathroom basics. This means providing:
  • Shampoo and/or 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner
  • Body soap
  • Hand soap
  • Access to full bathroom facilities, including a seated, flushable toilet, a bathtub or shower, a sink, and hot and cold running water

Facilities

Many guests book listings specifically for the availability of a bathroom, changing room or sitting setup. If you offer one of these facilities, be sure to specify if it is available for a guest’s private use, or if it’s shared with others.

4. What factors to keep in mind when offering wifi as a part of amenities?

If you add internet or wireless internet as an amenity, your listing will appear when people search or filter for places with internet.

It may be useful to tell guests that if they use your network, they agree to use it only for legal purposes and they promise not to use it for illegal uploading, downloading, or other illegal activities.

We encourage hosts to use wi-fi safety best practices:

  • Create an encrypted (ex: WPA2) guest network, and only share that password with guests after they’ve confirmed their booking
  • Store your router and modem in a secure, locked location in your home that guests can’t access
  • Create strong passwords for your router and modem, and change them often
  • Routinely check your router and modem for software updates

5. How can I better cater a guest having accessibility needs?

Hosting a guest with an accessibility need is like hosting any other guest. Just as you might accommodate a guest by storing their belongings before check-in, there are small ways to make your listing more comfortable. What makes a listing accessible varies depending on the guest, so the most important thing is to provide clear and accurate information about your listing and make sure to communicate with your guests.

Here are some guidelines for creating a welcoming experience for guests:

  • Engage with them if they have questions about your listing. Answering just a few questions can make a big difference.
  • Be willing to accommodate reasonable requests, like moving lightweight furniture or making other small changes if needed. Creating a safe space to navigate comfortably helps immensely.
  • Your hosting skills help set the tone for a great experience, so be your friendly self.
  • Be ready to host service animals, which aren’t considered pets. Service animal owners can’t be charged a pet fee.

You are not expected to:

  • Make assumptions about a guest’s needs or requirements and/or make a determination if your space works for them. Communicate with them to see what they need.
  • Make renovations to your listing—each space is unique and different, and capturing that information accurately is what’s most important.
  • Make changes that you’re unable to do safely or reasonably, such as moving heavy furniture. We understand that Hosts can have their own physical limitations that may prevent them from safely making some changes, so communicate with your guests if you’re unable to meet their needs.
  • Not all places will work for all guests, whether or not they have accessibility needs. By setting expectations, making sure your listing is accurate, and being accommodating for reasonable requests, you optimize the number of guests who can stay at your listing.

Making your space more comfortable

Before making a booking, a guest may ask you to do a few things to make your space more suitable for them.

Most requests can be taken care of in less than 10 minutes, and can be added to your regular routine for welcoming guests.

Examples of reasonable requests include:

  • Placing household items in an agreed-upon spot prior to check-in (ex: placing pool accessories on a low counter so a guest can reach them easily).

  • Repositioning lightweight furniture, such as moving a chair or table to create a wider path, or making sure outlets are accessible.

  • Use your best judgment when deciding if a request is reasonable, but remember: You can’t decline a booking simply because the guest has a disability. This doesn’t align with Resortifi’s Nondiscrimination Policy, which supports our commitment to finding safe and accessible spaces around the world for our guests

6. What are the basic standards to follow to ensure my guests have a satisfied experience?

Every Host should meet these basic standards so that their guests have a comfortable, reliable experience.

What we don’t allow

  • Hosting without permission and/or the appropriate licenses: Resortifi requires that all Hosts be authorized to host, and that Hosts comply with all applicable laws.
  • Unreliable communication: Hosts should be responsive and willing to answer questions within a reasonable amount of time from guests or Resortifi and follow any necessary steps from Resortifi to fix issues.
  • Inaccurate listings: A Host’s property, location, listing type, privacy levels, and amenities should accurately reflect what was written in the listing description at the time of booking. Hosts may only adjust details for an accepted booking after guest consent.
  • Unsecure stays: Hosts must ensure that every stay is able to be secured at the main entrance, and keys or access codes should be provided for all main points of entry.
  • Unreliable check-ins: Hosts must provide guests with the right information to access their stay at check-in (ex: proper access codes, clear directions). Hosts that plan to meet guests at check-in must ensure that they’re present at the agreed upon time. The use of lockboxes or entry codes must remain secure (ex: change codes in between bookings).
  • Unclean stays: A Host’s property must be free of known health hazards (ex: mold, pests, vermin), meet a high standard of cleanliness, and be cleaned between stays.
  • Unsafe stays: Hosts must ensure that stays or Experiences are free of undisclosed safety hazards (ex: blocked fire exits, risks of electric shock, rat poison). Hosts must remedy any safety hazards if they are raised by a guest or Resortifi.

7. I reside in the United States. What rules do I have to follow that are related to renting my property via the Resortifi platform?

We encourage Hosts based in the United States to think carefully about their responsibilities. Hosting offers rich experiences, but it comes with a certain level of commitment. In addition to the basic requirements that we expect of all Hosts, here are some ways you can be a responsible Host.

Health and cleanliness

Global information about Resortifi’s enhanced cleaning process can be found in general info about hosting places to stay.

Key recommendations on cleaning

  • Recommendations on waiting to enter the space before cleaning and disinfection from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • An explanation on how to read chemical labels from the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

General resources

  • for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • For US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance on COVID-19, the key EPA resources on the coronavirus disease

Safety

Emergency procedures

  • Contact info

Indicate local emergency numbers and the nearest hospital. Provide a clear emergency contact number for yourself, as well as backup, for easy guest reference. Also make clear how you should be contacted if the guest has questions or issues arise.

  • Supplies

Make a first aid kit easily available.

-Fire prevention

Ensure you have a functioning smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector, and that your property meets government safety guidelines for your area (ex: International Building Code). Ensure you provide a functioning fire extinguisher and complete required maintenance.

  • Exits

Ensure you have a clearly marked fire escape route, and post a map in your home.

Minimize hazards

  • Privacy

Always be mindful of your guests' privacy. Fully disclose whether there are security cameras or other surveillance equipment at or around your listing. Make sure you are aware of and comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

  • Occupancy

Establish safe occupancy limits—your local government may have guidelines.

  • Access

Go through your home to identify any areas where guests might trip or fall and either remove the hazard or mark clearly. Fix any exposed wires. Ensure stairs are safe and have railings. Remove or lock up any objects that may be dangerous to your guests.

-Child-proofing

Ensure your property is safe for children, or else notify guests of potential hazards.

-Climate

Ensure your home is properly ventilated and that temperature control is clearly marked and functional. Ensure guests are clear about how to safely use the heater.

Neighbors

  • Building rules Ensure you relay your building's common area rules to your guests. You may want to even notify your neighbors that you will have guests, and remind guests not to bother your neighbors (ex: don't knock on their door or buzz them to let you in).

  • Smoking If you don't allow smoking, we suggest posting signs to remind guests. If you do allow smoking, ensure you have ashtrays available in designated areas.

-Parking Ensure you relay parking rules for your building and neighborhood to your guests.

-Noise

Remind guests about keeping noise down. You may want to consider whether you allow babies, pets, or parties. Develop a policy about guests inviting other people over, and ensure your guests are clear about your "party policy."

-Pets

If you allow pets, ensure guests are educated about things like local parks and local customs (ex: cleaning up after your dog). Have a backup plan in case a guest's pet upsets the neighbors (such as the number of a nearby pet hotel).

-House Rules

To avoid surprises, you may want to include the information covered above in your House Rules in your Resortifi listing profile.

  • Permissions

Consider whether you should notify your neighbors about your plans to host, along with your plan for how to make sure your guests are not disruptive.