Are you one of nearly 8.5 million travellers wishing to visit the UK and stay in an Airbnb for about 3 nights worth about £350? While Airbnb is a budget-friendly solution for your next adventure, security and safety concerns might be more glaring than hotels. 

From hidden cameras to unsafe neighbourhoods, staying at an Airbnb can have its risks. The good news is you can ensure and improve your safety in an Airbnb even before clicking that Book Now button. 

Here are nine safety and security tips compiled by experts from Lock & Key Doncaster to help you feel secure and at peace in your airbnb without having to worry about threats, burglaries, and the likes on your vacation time!

Tip # 1 – Prioritise Airbnb “Super Hosts” when booking.

The UK has nearly 400,000 active Airbnb listings generating about £23,000 annually per listing, with nearly 55,500 Airbnbs in London. So, how do you pick the right host for your Airbnb experience?

Like many digital marketplaces or service aggregator platforms, Airbnb implements a star rating system for its hosts. Super hosts are Airbnb’s cream of the crop. They have gained 4.8 stars out of a perfect 5 from hundreds of customer reviews. Alongside this, Super Hosts are the ones that invest in safety and security measures advised by locksmiths like anti-snap locks, mortice locks, and robust security systems that is compliant with British Security Standards.

Booking with a Super Host means you will never worry about your Airbnb getting cancelled at the 11th hour, giving you peace of mind. They are very responsive to Airbnb guest queries and needs, too, allowing you to feel more comfortable and confident about your stay. 

So, ensure to activate the “super host” search filter when selecting an Airbnb host.

Tip # 2 – Read customer reviews and focus on accuracy ratings.

While user reviews are subjective, testimonials offer invaluable insights, especially regarding neighbourhood safety and Airbnb experiences. You can also validate the Super Host’s ratings by examining what users say. 

Users rate Airbnbs across 6 metrics: accuracy, value, location, check-in, communication, and cleanliness. We recommend focusing on accuracy, reflecting the match between Airbnb’s listing information and the user’s first-hand experiences. Did the user experience a safe neighbourhood as advertised in the listing? How about the property’s features and amenities? Was everything working as expected, or did the property fail in some areas? Were they accurate to a T?

You can use keywords to narrow your review search. For instance, keying “unsafe,” “dirty,” or “unclean” can pull up user reviews with those words. Was the bed dirty and smelling foul when the guest checked in? How about the toilet or the kitchen? Maybe the door lock was busted? 

Although tedious, reading ALL reviews about a particular Airbnb should give you a heads-up on what to expect. You can then decide whether to book it or seek another.

Tip # 3 – Research the Airbnb’s neighbourhood. 

Will you stay in London or somewhere in South Yorkshire? Would it be Barnsley or Sheffield that will become your temporary home? Wherever you decide to call your traveller’s home base for several days or weeks, researching the neighbourhood’s security picture should kick-start your Airbnb safety briefing.  

According to professional locksmiths, it’s best that you can check credible websites, like Crimerate.co.uk and UKCrimeStats.com to check the most recent crime statistics in the area where you’ll stay. Check for incidences of break-ins, vehicle theft, and other property-related offenses. How about violent crimes, including robbery and assault? Think about your night-time activities that might be security risks. Check the location’s public transport system, too, and the availability of first responders, including the police.

While you can ask the Airbnb host about the neighbourhood’s security situation, don’t expect them to be frank. After all, doing so will only scare you away, and that’s a potential loss of income for them. 

A better approach would be to read customer experiences about safety-related issues in the area and what reputable locksmith companies usually solve in the area.

Tip # 4 – Ensure the Airbnb host’s responsiveness.

Airbnbs aren’t hotels with paid customer service staff and support personnel ready to answer any call. That’s why a host’s responsiveness is essential. You will want a host who can quickly and reliably address your concerns. 

For instance, suppose you forgot and left the key in the Airbnb property, and you’ve called the host to open it for you but isn’t answering your messages. What then? 

Thankfully, Airbnb strongly encourages guests to contact hosts through its integrated messaging platform, allowing you to ask the host anything about the listing before committing to a reservation. Hosts should reply within 24 hours, otherwise, you can tick them off your list and find another. Alternatively, read customer reviews and check guest experiences on communication. Their rating on this parameter should be high.

Test the host’s responsiveness on the day of your expected check-in, too. Get ready to cancel the booking if the host doesn’t communicate or asks you inappropriate questions. 

Tip # 5 – Pay only through Airbnb.

Some Airbnb hosts might offer a huge discount for paying cash or using a third-party payment platform they recommend. While these offers are attractive, they aren’t necessarily safe. 

For instance, paying cash violates Airbnb’s terms of service, putting you at risk of an account suspension. Airbnb won’t be able to assist you with any issues, too. Suppose you decide to complain about the accommodation’s cleanliness or the host’s behaviour. Airbnb cannot intervene in such a dispute because it doesn’t have a valid mechanism to verify the payment.

Paying through another payment software puts you at risk of scams. Once the host receives your payment, they might run off with your money without providing the accommodation or put you in a compromising situation (i.e., Airbnb isn’t as listed or the neighbourhood is unsafe).

So, pay through Airbnb’s payment system to safeguard your finances, reputation, and peace of mind.

Tip # 6 – Use a portable door lock.

Travelling alone can be scary, especially when your Airbnb is in an area with high break-in incidences. What expert locksmiths suggest when it comes to personal security is to use portable door locks, like AddaLock and PENMAMA, as they are exceptional tools to add a layer of security to an Airbnb’s existing door lock. 

These gadgets feature a metal piece that hooks into an inward swinging door’s strikeplate, while a plastic component secures them in place. Portable door locks create a wedge, preventing doors from opening from the outside. Hence, they only work on doors that swing inward.  

Tip # 7 – Ensure the Airbnb’s electronic lock code has been cleared and changed before checking in.

If your Airbnb accommodation features an electronic door lock, it would be best to ask the host about the frequency of code changes (i.e., weekly or after every stay). This is crucial because you can never be certain about the number of previous guests who already know the door lock code. Anyone could enter using the same code while you’re sound asleep or out for a stroll.

Ideally, you will want the host to reset the code, although some electronic door locks automatically change or reset the code. 

Tip # 8 – Install a portable door alarm or motion sensor.

Let’s get one thing clear! Door alarms and motion sensors won’t prevent unauthorised access, but they can deter wrong-doers. These small, pocket-sized devices can emit a siren-like noise if somebody attempts to break in. They are easy to install, too.

Ideally, you will want a device with an extended range, allowing it to cover a whole Airbnb property without requiring several units. The Aqara and GE Personal Security are popular choices. While trustworthy hosts should have their properties fitted with modern alarm and motion detection systems via professional locksmiths and security experts, you should always come prepared. 

If you are unsure about what kind of products would make the most sense, we recommend speaking with one of your local locksmiths. They can give you an idea of what kind of portable alarms or sensors you could use so you do not have to rely on the locks on your Airbnb’s doors alone. 

Tip # 9 – Look for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the Airbnb.

The UK’s Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm Regulations 2022 requires all private rental properties to install smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. It’s also written in Airbnb’s policies. Hence, you will want to ensure your Airbnb has these gadgets. Otherwise, you can report it to Airbnb or cancel your booking and find another accommodation. Alternatively, a portable smoke and CO detector should be handy.

It is worth mentioning that 19 Airbnb guests have died of carbon monoxide poisoning since 2013. You don’t want to become the latest statistic. Fires can also occur. So, you will want to stay safe during your Airbnb vacation.

Final Thoughts

Ensuring your security and safety in an Airbnb is crucial to guaranteeing meaningful travel to the UK. You will feel more at ease while exploring the UK’s beautiful sites and vibrant culture when you feel secured. It should bring more value for your money, allowing you to relish wonderful memories without the constant fear of getting your privacy violated or your valuable possessions taken.