Question 1

How can I find out what income my property could make for me?

Accepted Answer

Contact us and we can research the market and prepare a bespoke assessment of your property at absolutely no cost to you, which will include an estimate of monthly occupancy rates and income.

We have many years of experience in the Cambridge Short Term Letting Market and will give you an accurate figure that you can rely on to make your decision.

The figures that you receive from us are often based on other properties that we manage and will be realistic but conservative to ensure you have the information to make the right decision

Question 2

What fees do Homehost take?

Accepted Answer

As a small family business we can keep our fees as low as possible. We charge a maximum of 15% plus VAT which compares favourably with say, Pass The Keys and others who charge up to 24%.

Cleaning and linen fees are paid direct to us by the guests so in most cases, any additional costs are minimal, relating to say consumables and maintenance.

Also, unlike other Hosts, we also commit to not make any mark-up on cleaning, linen or maintenance costs. You are simply charged the cost to us and are free to use your own cleaners and maintenance contractors.

Question 3

How do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

For Airbnb bookings, you are automatically sent your owners pay-out (after cleaning and linen fees and our commission) a few days after the guest checks in. For all other channels, you receive your net pay-out no later that the 7th of each month for check-ins in the previous month.

You can track all your bookings and payouts using your Owners Portal. This give you access to a consolidated booking calendar, guest reviews and owner statements

Question 4

Can I keep track of how bookings are progressing?

Accepted Answer

Yes! you will be given access to your personal Owners Portal where you can see a consolidated calendar of bookings from all channels. You can also view guest reviews and download your monthly financial statements.

Question 5

I am going travelling, can I rent my house out for a few months at a time?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Many of our owners are out of the country for a few months at a time for work or general travelling. We take on their property, generate income for them while they are away and handle everything for them.

Question 6

Short term vs Long term lets: Which earns more in Cambridge?

Accepted Answer

In Cambridge, short-term lets generally earn significantly more than long-term tenancies, with potential income increases of 30% to 100% annually when well-managed.

• Earning Potential
    • Short Term Let: Higher due to nightly rates and dynamic pricing, potentially double monthly income. 
    • Long Term Let: Lower overall, with fixed monthly income, no peak pricing ability, with the potential for costly void periods between tenancies

• Income Stability
    • Short Term Let: Fluctuates due to seasonal demand, but in Cambridge the impact of this is moderated by near constant demand from the University, Addenbrookes, the Science Parks and medium term contractor bookings
    • Long Term Let: Stable and consistent monthly income with typically fewer void periods.

• Management Effort
    • Short Term Let: More hands-on (guest communication, cleaning, maintenance) unless a professional management company is used.
    • Long Term Let: Less daily involvement, but legal disputes can be time-consuming and potentially very costly

• Maintenance
    • Short Term Let: Frequent professional cleaning keeps property in hotel standard condition.
    • Long Term Let: Less frequent, but wear-and-tear can accumulate, leading to potentially expensive renovations.

• Regulations
 • Short Term Let: Must comply with local council rules which are currently minor in Cambridge; fewer UK tenancy laws apply.
 • Long Term Let: Subject to much stricter UK rental laws and potential rent controls.

Question 7

How do you vet guests for my property?

Accepted Answer

We tailor our vetting processes to your requirements using a combination of automated technology and manual checks to vet guests and protect your property.

1. Identity Verification
If required, we can ask guests to submit government-issued ID (passport or driving license).

2. Platform History & Reviews
As part of the booking process, we thoroughly review a guest’s profile on platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com, specifically looking for: 
 • Previous Host Reviews: They look for a history of positive feedback regarding cleanliness and following house rules.
 • Profile Quality: Vague profiles with no photo, bio, or verified contact details are often flagged as red flags.

3. Risk Assessment & AI Screening 
We may use advanced management services applying  AI-powered risk scoring to analyze booking patterns. They look for specific "high-risk" indicators such as: 
 • Locals booking one-night stays, which may indicate an intended party.
 • Last-minute or weekend-only bookings with high guest counts.

4. Direct Communication 
We also often ask personalized pre-booking questions. Common questions include: 
 • What is the purpose of your visit to Cambridge?
 • Who is staying with you, and can you confirm the exact number of guests?
 • Are you familiar with and agree to our specific house rules (e.g., quiet hours after 10 PM)?

5. Financial Safeguards
All guests always pay for their booking in advance