Summary
Use Airbnb quiet and void periods, often in January and February and again in November or early December, to refresh your listing while the property is free. Tidy and repair small issues, review your description, check your pricing and update your photos so the listing matches what guests will see. New photos at the start of the year can help increase earnings over the next 12 months. You can find a property photographer through Houses and Properties and book online.
Most hosts think about their Airbnb listing when bookings are coming in. That is the wrong moment. When you are busy you rush. You make quick changes and hope for the best.
Airbnb quiet and void periods give you time to do the job properly. You can review the space, fix small problems and update your listing without guests getting in the way. If you do this early in the year you set yourself up for stronger earnings over the next 12 months.
Housesandproperties.com
Refreshing Your Airbnb Listings.
Why Airbnb gaps are useful
A listing is not a one-off task. Your property changes over time. You replace items. You repaint. You move furniture. You add or remove things that guests use. If your listing stays the same, it stops matching the real place.
When guests arrive and the place looks different from the photos or the description, you get complaints. Even if the difference is small, it creates doubt. Doubt leads to lower ratings and fewer repeat bookings.
Quiet periods give you two things:
- Time to plan and finish jobs
- Control because fewer bookings means fewer disruptions
What to refresh during a void period
You do not need to rewrite everything. Work through these steps in order.
1) Put the property in order
Walk through the space as if you were arriving for the first time.
- Fix small faults: loose handles, tired sealant, wobbly chairs
- Check safety: smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarm, clear escape routes
- Deep clean the areas that get missed: skirting boards, behind furniture, inside cupboards
- Replace worn items guests touch often: bedding, towels, tea towels
These jobs are not exciting but they stop bad reviews before they start.
2) Check the listing text
Read every line of your listing and ask one question: is this still true today?
- Update sleeping arrangements if beds have changed
- Be clear about parking, stairs and noise
- Remove claims you cannot support anymore
- Add rules that match how you run the place
Simple, plain wording works. Do not make promises you cannot keep.
3) Review pricing and availability
Look back at the last six months. Note when you were full and when you had gaps.
- Set minimum stays for weekends if short stays create too much turnover
- Open your calendar further ahead if you can cover cleaning
- Block time for maintenance so you do not accept bookings you cannot handle
- Check fees and discounts so they match your costs
You are running a business. Your calendar and pricing should reflect that.
New photos in the new year are invaluable
Photos are the first thing most guests judge. They decide quickly. If your images look dated, guests assume the property is dated too.
New photos of your property in the new year are invaluable for your rental business. They help you earn more across the following 12 months because your listing looks current and clear. They also reduce questions because guests can see what they are booking.
What makes new photos work
Good photos do not need tricks. They need order and honesty.
- Rooms should be tidy and uncluttered
- Lighting should be even without harsh glare
- Key rooms should be covered: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living area
- Outdoor space should be included if you offer it
- If you have redecorated or added a workspace, include it
If you have made changes since your last set of photos, update the images now. Do not wait for peak season.
Why hire an Airbnb property photographer
You can take photos yourself but it is easy to get wrong. A professional property photographer has the right kit and the practice to work fast. They know how to produce a consistent set of images that suits how Airbnb listings are viewed.
This is not about art. It is about clear information. Clear photos reduce misunderstandings and lead to better reviews.
What months are quiet when running an Airbnb business?
For many UK Airbnb hosts the quiet months tend to be January and February, sometimes the first half of March, with another lull often in November and the first two weeks of December before Christmas bookings pick up; some areas also see a dip in late September and October once the summer rush ends though school half-term weeks and big local events can break the pattern.
Find a photographer with Houses and Properties
If you want a simple way to find a property photographer, use Houses and Properties. It is a safe, secure, trusted and highly-rated website where you can book online.
Use your void period to book a session, update your listing as soon as the images arrive and go into the busy months ready.