The short-term let industry is booming, with plenty of landlords signing their long-term properties onto booking platforms like Airbnb to attract short-term guests instead. But managing short-term lets is not as laissez-faire as the influencers make it out to be. 

 

Short-term guests can be just as messy while expecting much higher levels of cleanliness. Where tenants would be responsible for pest control (unless it was pre-existing or stemming from a structural issue), you will be responsible at all times for pest control and rodent control.

Do Airbnb and Booking.com Refund for Pests?

Yes they do. If a guest has discovered an infestation inside the property and submits a claim with sufficient evidence, they will be entitled to a full refund. The guest is also likely to leave a bad review, potentially deterring future bookings.

 

And that’s not all, guests can submit credit card chargebacks for booking a property that was not as described, including unsanitary conditions like pests. So you’re not off the hook if you manage your own bookings either.

 

While some unruly guests may fabricate an infestation to gain a refund, this can be prevented with photos taken prior to their arrival and clear communication with the guest that highlights discrepancies in their story.

What Pests Are Short-Term Lets at Risk of?

For the most part, the same as any other property. Ants, flies, rats, mice and cockroaches take advantage of cracks and crevices to enter a property. With a good cleaning regime that removes all potential food sources post rental, the majority of these pests will not be able to establish a foothold.

 

But what short-term lets are most at risk of is a bed bug infestation, easy to pick up, tricky to eliminate without the help of commercial pest management services. Cleaning alone can’t get rid of them once they have established a foothold.

What Brings Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs primarily hitchhike on clothing and luggage, when a traveller comes from a bed bug-infested property or public space without realising it. They can also enter properties from second-hand soft furniture like sofas and mattresses.

Can You Get Rid of Bed Bugs by Vacuuming?

Vacuuming is quite effective at sucking up a good chunk of a bed bug infestation, including eggs. But it's not a comprehensive solution to the problem, and can miss many of the cracks these pests hide in. They can escape from the vacuum chamber or just crawl back into the property if the chamber contents haven’t been properly disposed of.

 

Thorough vacuuming with robust disposal should be done as a proactive strategy to disrupt the life-cycle of bedbugs. Coupled with the efforts of local exterminators, you can eliminate bedbugs before they establish a foothold in the property.

How to Prevent Pests in Short-Term Lets

Let’s summarise everything we’ve discussed, with some additional insight into preventing pests at your lets.

Good Cleaning and Maintenance

You should clean thoroughly between stays, including gaps, cracks, bedding and otherwise unseen areas. Linens should be washed at 40°C, even if appearing unused, to ensure they are bed-bug free.

 

Any maintenance issues like damp, leaks and structural damage should be resolved as soon as possible to deter pests.

Seal Entry Points

Even if there’s no food in the property, rodents and insects can still enter for shelter. Regularly check for and seal small gaps, cracks, and holes around the property and the foundations to prevent entry.

Communicate Effectively With Guests

You shouldn’t suffer to do the cleaning all by yourself after an unruly guest has left mountains of rubbish. Set clear expectations regarding cleanliness and food waste disposal during their stay to minimise issues.

Establish a Good Relationship with Local Exterminators

If the area or property is at risk of certain infestations, then it's good to build rapport with a pest control and rodent control company to perform inspections every now and then. Your local exterminators will be able to identify risks and signs you can’t, and provide comprehensive solutions. In the event of a rat or bed bug infestation, you’ll need their professional help to effectively eliminate the pests in time for the next booking.