What to Do When a Natural Disaster Hits Your STR Rental Business

It’s never fun to think about worst case scenarios. But for Airbnb hosts, it’s important to have an idea of what you might do should the worst happen. And there are few things worse that having a natural disaster hit your STR.Peter Counsell is the Superhost behind Clyde River Cottage, a STR in Nelligen, New South Wales, with its own private jetty on the river. Peter also coaches new hosts on getting started in the STR business and optimizing their listings, and he builds personal websites for hosts looking to expand their reach beyond the Airbnb platform.On this episode of Get Paid for Your Pad, Peter joins me to share his difficult experience during the devastating bushfires in Southeast Australia. He explains how the fires are affecting his business, what Airbnb is doing to help hosts in his position, and how the disaster is likely to impact tourism in the area. Listen in for Peter’s insight on how he might use his STR property during the recovery process and learn what to do should a natural disaster hit your STR business.Topics CoveredThe devastating bushfires in Southeast Australia1M acres in six weeks (two full states)Caused by extreme drought + lightning strikePeter’s harrowing experience with the firesEvacuated three times before leaving area entirelyHighway closed, followed fire engine to UlladullaHow the fires are affecting Peter’s STR businessCancellations as fires got worse, no new bookingsSmoke and highway closings make travel difficultAirbnb’s process for helping hosts in the firesTeam in place to contact guests for Aussie hostsNo cancellation penalty for guests or hostPeter’s advice for hosts in natural disastersWaive fee for cancellation (return 100% of deposit)Request that Airbnb waive fees for guestsHow the fires will impact tourism in the areaKnown for beaches, nature and wildlife1B animals killed + bushwalks burnedPeter’s insight on the long recovery processCharge realistic prices, allow one-night staysStay in touch with potential guestsWhat Peter might do until the area has recoveredMay be good time for upgrades to spaceOffer STR for recovery workers to stayWhat we can do to support PeterTravel to SE Australia (quite safe, still much to do)Use his website building or coaching servicesPeter’s best tips for aspiring Airbnb hostsRead Get Paid for Your Pad, listen to podcastModel STR on your WHY + ideal guest avatarWork to get good reviews right awayConnect with PeterClyde River CottageClyde River Cottage on AirbnbResourcesPeter on GPFYP EP129Airbnb Open HomesDivi Themes SoftwareGet Paid for Your Pad: How to Maximize Profit from Your Airbnb Listing by Jasper Ribbers and Huzefa KapadiaSTR Legends MastermindEmail [email protected] subscribe to the podcast, please use the links belowClick Here to Subscribe via iTunesClick here to Subscribe via Stitcher (Android users)If you like the show, please consider leaving the show a review in iTunesor Stitcher. A couple minutes of your time can help the show immensely! Thanks! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.