So you have a spare room and you’d like to rent it out, but you’re not sure where to start. 
We can help! 

In this blog, we are going to give you a step-by-step guide to our entire process of exactly how it works, and the 6 steps you can take to become a host. 

We’ve been placing guests in host homes all over Ireland since 2014 so we have perfected a system to make becoming a host easy. From our advanced application process to how we vet our guests, everything is covered. As a Hosting Power Host, you will be supported by our Host Team at every step of the way, and our host services are free!

If you’re wondering what you need to have in place before becoming a host, you can read this blog post here; 5 Things You Need To Rent Out Your Spare Room.
Now you’re ready to take the first step to becoming a Hosting Power Host. 

Step One - Fill in our short application form

To get the process started, we have designed a short and simple application form for you to fill in. This form and the information you share in it is 100% confidential and only a member of our host team will review it. It won’t be shared with any third party. 

The privacy of all our hosts is our primary concern so even when you submit details about your address, your exact address will never be shown to anyone else or made public. Even guests booking your room will only be able to see the district you are located in, not your address or street. 

Step Two - Create your listing

The next step in the application process is to fill in the details about the room you have for rent. 
You will select what type of room (single or double room, shared or private bathroom etc) you are renting out, and choose the weekly rent you would like to set. You can also upload some photos of your room and the property. 

After that, you can proceed to the property, room and host description. 
Once you complete that, you will be brought to a page that confirms your listing is under review. 

You will now have the option to confirm your address and/or identity by providing proof of address or a copy of your ID. When you provide one of these documents, your listings will be marked as "Address Verified. To do this, you can submit any utility bill (phone, gas, electric etc) from the past 12 months. You can also submit a valid copy of your ID. While this last step is not mandatory, it is highly recommended, as completing it will allow you to obtain the ‘'Address Verified' status on your listing, which will attract more booking requests for your room.

Please rest assured that the documents you provide to confirm your address will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and will only be used for verification purposes.
 

Here are a few tips on creating a memorable listing: 

1. Your property photos
Photos are very important when it comes to making a great first impression on your potential guests. We recommend taking at least 10 photos of your property. These photos should include the room for rent, the bathroom and the kitchen that the guest will be using, and photos of any other common areas too if you have decided to share more spaces with your guest such as the living room. Try to take your photos early in the day for good lighting. You can then upload them to your listing through your host dashboard. 

2. Your property description
Next, you need to write a description of your home. We recommend a couple of lines that tell the guest a little about the kind of home you live in and a detailed description of the bedroom they will be renting and the bathroom they will have access to. We have plenty of examples to help you write this and we are always available to help you with it if you get stuck.

3. Your location description
A description of the area you live in is equally important. Information about the local public transport and the nearest supermarkets is a good place to start, and you can also add information about local parks for example, as your guest may be an avid runner, therefore knowing that a park is nearby would be a factor in their decision making. Think about your local amenities and the distance you are to schools, business parks, a bus stop, a train station, cafes, parks, shops and anything else that might be of interest. Again, if you need help writing this, we have examples to help you and you can always ask our team for help too.
 

4. Your host description
A short description of you as the host and anyone else that might be living in the house is very important. When your guest reads this they will naturally gravitate towards someone who seems to be similar to them. In this part of the listing, you can write about who lives in the house (you, any other adults, children or pets) and tell them a little about what you like to do in your spare time. Take this opportunity to give your guests a good sense of who you are. Again, we have examples to hand and if you get stuck our team is happy to help. 

5. Your price 
Your listing will also contain very important information: the rental price you will charge to your guest. 
At Hosting Power we operate on a fair rent policy which means that rents are set at the market value, but when it comes to setting your price we also encourage our hosts to take the long-term picture into consideration. If you set the highest price possible you may actually get fewer bookings, which over the course of the year will lead to less income. 

Setting the rent at a competitive price will ensure a regular stream of bookings which will result in a higher annual income for you from your spare room. Your Hosting Power Property Manager will advise you on the best price for your listing to generate the highest annual income. If you’d like to read more about setting the right price for your room you can read this blog post here. 
 

Step Three - We advertise your room

With your listing now complete, your room is ready to be advertised. We take care of this for you as part of our complementary host service. We will create your ad and bump your listing up to the top of our website to ensure you get your first booking quickly. 

It’s important to keep your room availability up to date so that you can get the bookings you want. You are always in control of when you rent out your room. You can edit your room availability from within your host dashboard at any time. 
 

Step Four - Congratulations! You got your first booking!

That didn’t take long! When a guest wants to book your room you will receive a booking request. This booking request will give you the full profile of the guest (already vetted by us) and the dates they wish to book. 

The guest will submit their own personal description, sharing details about themselves and what they do (work/study). So you will quickly understand if your property is the best place for them. 

You will always have the freedom to accept or decline each booking request you receive. If you accept you will receive the contact details of your guest and they will receive yours, if you decline we will send you another booking request shortly.
 

Step Five - Connect with your Guest

Once you accept and confirm your booking, you will be able to communicate directly with your guest. You can contact them about their check-in date and arrange a time and process that best suits you. 

As part of our complimentary host service, you will also receive a number of documents from us to help you host professionally. These include a set of house rules, designed to create a harmonious living environment, a rent payment document to keep track of the weekly rent you receive, and a deposit form to document the refundable deposit your guest will pay you on arrival. If you’d like to read more about the benefits of setting house rules you can read this blog post here. 

Step Six - You’re a Host!

You did it, you are now a host. When your guest arrives you can show them around the property and help them to feel at home. Your guest will pay you both the deposit and the first week rent on arrival. The rent will then be due on the same day every week. 

Ongoing Support

As a Hosting Power Host, you will benefit from our ongoing support throughout your guest’s stay. If you have any questions or need any assistance, you can contact our Host Team at any time and we will be happy to help you. 

We’re proud to say that many of our hosts have been with us since 2014 and love being hosts. Not only can they earn a nice income from their spare room but many of our hosts tell us wonderful stories of connections and friendships that have blossomed with their guests, many who they remained in contact with long after their rent contract ended.

If you’d like to read some of our host stories you can do that here.