HOST & ACCOMMODATION PROVIDER FAQs
How is this different from Airbnb?
Airbnb is targeted at tourists and visitors. Nestwell is targeted towards ‘Just-A-Roof Women’ in need of emergency short-term accommodation. Nestwell works like Airbnb, but for emergency accommodation.
Airbnb’s business model is to take a commission from both hosts and guests. Nestwell will only take a commission from hosts.
Nestwell seeks to apply sharing economy principles as they were intended: by leveraging under-utilised resources.
Who can sign up to Nestwell?
Airbnb hosts, and other providers of short-term accommodation listed on other platforms such as HomeAway, Expedia, Wotif, etc. Airbnb hosts can use all the information from their current Airbnb listing without having to re-enter all the details and upload photos. The Nestwell system is also open to households of renters or owners who are looking for alternative sources of revenue.
Services providers will assist in organising 3-month accommodation with previously vetted hosts. Using an existing platform (such as Airbnb) will insure security, liability and insurances are covered.
Who are ‘Just-A-Roof Women’?
‘Just-A-Roof Women’ represent the demographic of women who have unexpectedly encountered housing insecurity as a result of a life event such as a relationship breakdown, or sudden job loss. They need a roof above their heads during this period of re-adjustment and planning, but are otherwise resilient, independent and capable of helping themselves with minimal need for allied services or additional support.
How do I verify the guest?
As a host, you are dealing with the service provider that is organising the short-term accommodation for their client. The organisation is responsible for verifying and assessing their clients, and matching them with suitable accommodation.
Do I receive contact details for the guest?
No. You will receive details for the contact person at the service provider. However, you may have the opportunity to meet the guest in person if that is how you give them access to your property. Or you may get to know the guest if you are sharing your house with them.
Can I choose the service providers I support?
Yes. Nestwell encourages hosts to work with service providers they support and with whom they are mission-aligned.
How am I protected legally?
As Airbnb partners with Nestwell, its $1 million Host Guarantee and Protection Insurance applies if you are an Airbnb host. In addition and if you are not an Airbnb host, we also recommend taking out your own landlord insurance for short-term rental.
“I am concerned about the kinds of people that would occupy my property and potential damage”
All service providers on the Nestwell platform are trusted organisations with staff experienced in assessing the needs of their clients. Those eligible for off-site short-term accommodation will be low needs clients who do not need additional allied services. The people who will be staying in your property have an extreme need for agency assistance and emergency accommodation, and would be unlikely to jeopardise future assistance by maliciously damaging your property. Because the organisations may be subsidising the accommodation, clients of these agencies are generally grateful for the service they receive and do not have a sense of entitlement.
How am I paid?
Similar to Airbnb, if an agency books your property through the Nestwell platform, they pay in advance. The funds are then released to you the day after check-in.
I am already an Airbnb host, so why should I sign up to Nestwell?
There is no obligation to sign up to Nestwell if you are happy with the number of bookings you are receiving and the revenue you are generating. However, our research shows that there is an oversupply of Airbnb properties that far outweighs the demand from tourists and visitors. The typical host in Australia earns less than $5000 per year from their property through Airbnb from an average occupancy rate of 15% or 55 nights per year.
Nestwell seeks to utilise this oversupply of short-term accommodation for a different segment of the market: those in critical need who are being assisted by service providers. This system ensures a three month stay in a host's listed accommodation. Even if the rate is negotiated to better suit the host’s situation, 3 months revenue is guaranteed to hosts when participating in the Nestwell system.
How long is short-term?
Short term will be up to and no more than 3 months of emergency accommodation. This is the agreed upon time by services providers to allow the clients to take control of their housing situation. This timeframe gives them breathing space to look for more secure accommodation and sources of income.