What makes a good Crashpad?
There are many different factors that go into having a Crashpad that is successful and keeps tenants staying. We want to help you have a Crashpad that is fully booked with a waiting list. Here are some tips for making your Crashpad one of the best!
A Caring Host
When you are a host who cares, you can not only attract tenants to your Crashpad, but retain your tenants for a long time. Providing a caring attitude for your tenants goes a long, long way. From checking in on your guests, taking to the time to speak with them (even if just for a moment!), and making sure things are running smoothly has a direct impact on your guests staying there. Flight Attendants and Pilots will naturally spread good word about your Crashpad if you show up, care for your tenants, and make sure that each guest’s needs are taken care of. Plus, being a caring host will be remembered when it’s time for your tenants to leave a review!
Stocked Necessities
At the bare minimum, we recommend that toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, and dish soap be stocked regularly by the owner. Crashpad spaces can become dirty and the environment can be tense if these are lacking or not stocked regularly. While it may seem expensive at first, these are the small things that keep your guests rebooking again and again! It’s easy to save and purchase in bulk when you buy from Costco, Sam’s Club, or you can even set up Amazon Prime shipments to your Crashpad so you don’t have to hand deliver them yourself!
Clean
Having a clean space for your tenants is a must! Keep cleaning supplies such as a broom, vacuum, and various household cleaning supplies stocked so your guests can clean up everyday messes, however, a deep clean is recommended at least once every few weeks! Treat your Crashpad like you would your own home, and your tenants will do the same. Whether you come in and clean yourself or outsource a maid to come and tackle the harder to clean messes, keeping your Crashpad clean is essential to your success as an owner. Having a clean Crashpad is also essential to potential tenants. Flight Crew want a clean, safe place to stay in. Having a clean, organized Crashpad is essential!
Plenty of Space
While it may seem more profitable to fit as many tenants into a space as possible, providing ample space for each tenant is a must! When your space starts to feel cramped, it can stress out your tenants, especially if there isn’t enough room to keep their belongings or they feel like they are constantly bumping into each other. There is a delicate balance to the amount of guests you can have that makes it profitable, however, giving your guests the space they need will pay off in the long run. You can always purchase storage bins and drawers, and if you use bunk beds, a trundle storage space underneath the bed can go a long way! It’s also a good idea to designate a crew bag storage space, whether it be in the living room, or in a separate closet.
Open Communication
It is of ample importance to be quick to respond to issues that arise in the Crashpad, whether they be maintenance issues or behavioral issues! Being quick to respond to your tenants will show that you are attentive to what happens and that you care for their well-being. Although many of us owners are also in the industry as well, try your best to keep your response rate short for your tenants. The best owners are those who are caring and openly communicate! Use apps such as WhatsApp to be able to communicate with multiple different types of phones, and be able to reach those who are working international trips!
Effective house rules
There is a delicate balance to having house rules that are both effective and don’t make it seem like you are trying to parent your guests. They determine the type of environment your Crashpad will be. Rules are necessary to make sure everyone is on the same page; whether it be about individual cleaning responsibilities, etiquette, and rules about drinking. However, do not be dehumanizing with the rules, or talk down to them! This could create a tense environment between the host and guests. It’s important to have a document they can sign before they move in explicitly stating that they have read the rules of the Crashpad. Rules are necessary to keep the Crashpad a safe, comfortable environment! Especially if you are on a corporate lease, you need to communicate with your tenants that they be respectful of neighbors around you.
Location to Airport
Having a crashpad that is close enough to the airport for inexpensive uber rides or near a metro will draw people in naturally! Flight crew are always searching for the Crashpad closest to the airport. Having a Crashpad near a train or bus stop will make your listing sell itself! Being close enough to the airport where Uber and Lyft prices aren’t insanely high is also a huge plus! And, if your Crashpad is within walking distance to the airport, you’ve got a huge winner! However, if you are not near an airport but offer free parking, this will offset the downside of being further away from the airport.
Furniture
When potential tenants first view your Crashpad, one of the first things they pay attention to is what furniture you have! You don’t have to go all out and purchase brand new, luxurious furniture but, having pieces that are in good condition is a must! Picking pieces of furniture that match and compliment each other well will help your Crashpad sell itself! It’s important to have enough furniture to where everyone can be comfortable in the common living area. This is a common concern, and it’s important to allow people to congregate in the living room and allow those who need sleep in the bedrooms to get the rest they need!
Design
While the interior design of your Crashpad may not seem like a huge deal, it’s what makes your space feel like home! There are many different avenues you can take with design, from modern to traditional, or contemporary to luxury. It’s incredibly easy and cheap to purchase decoration and pieces that will make your Crashpad seem like a cozy place to live! You can find inexpensive decoration from AliExpress, Amazon, or Target. Be sure to have a specific theme in mind and stick to it! Marketing your Crashpad as a certain design will help it sell!
Brand
Tying right into design is how to brand your Crashpad. It’s becoming more common for owners to market their Crashpad as “Luxury” or “Modern.” Flight Crew pay attention to these details when searching for their Crashpad. Knowing what kind of Crashpad you want to offer is important, as this is a major selling point for when you decide to list your space! Everyone has a preference on what kind of living space they want to live in, and having an up-to-date, stylish Crashpad will draw people in. Keywords are important and help prospective tenants get an idea of what kind of space you are offering.