Communication tips for hosts

Good communication with potential tenants boosts your chances of a great match. Here are our tips for pleasant and effective communication.

Basic rules

• Respond quickly: Try to reply within 24 hours. Room seekers are often in conversation with several rooms at once, so speed helps.
• Be honest and open: Be truthful about your home, the neighborhood, and your expectations. This prevents disappointment later.
• Ask questions: Take time to get to know the candidate. Ask about their study or work, interests, and expectations.
• Be friendly but professional: It's a getting-to-know-you process, so be yourself, but keep it respectful.

Possible situations

Candidate doesn't show up for viewing

Annoying, but it happens. Send a message via chat to ask what's going on. Sometimes there's a good reason, so offer a new time if appropriate.

Doubt after a viewing

Take your time to think it over, but don't keep the candidate waiting more than 3-5 days. Really unsure? Consider scheduling a second meeting.

Multiple good candidates

A nice problem to have! Be honest and communicate clearly. Let the candidates you don't choose know politely that you've gone with someone else.

Rejecting a candidate

That's entirely your right. Do it respectfully and honestly. A short message will do: "Thank you for your interest, I've chosen another candidate. Good luck with your search!"