Editor’s note: It is in violation of your housing contract to rent out your dorm room. The Badger Herald does not endorse or encourage attempting to do this. Look at this kid from Emerson College in Boston who tried… he’s in some hot sh*t! We will, however, entertain the idea for the sake of satire.
Looking for some extra scratch? Look no further.
With the rising cost of college, students may be increasingly eager to earn some extra money to pay for expenses like textbooks, food and DVD copies of the 2007 classic “Wild Hogs.” In the struggle for spare change, students are turning anywhere — even, as Madison Mayor Paul Soglin claimed in a recent press conference, to renting out University of Wisconsin dorm rooms on Airbnb.
Proposed bill could remove local 30 day rental limit on Airbnb
Regardless of whether this claim is substantiated, it’s a great idea. While the Badger Herald does not endorse converting your dorm into a cozy bed and breakfast, we’ve prepared a guide to help you do it well.
• Don’t consult your roommate. Naysayers are the death of industry. You are on your way to becoming a hotel magnate, and you can’t have complaints like, “I live in this room too” or “what if the guest has head lice?” getting in the way of a terrific business opportunity.
• Keep a competitive price. While the number one goal is making money, you will get none at all if you charge too much. Consider just how terrible it would be to stay in your room when you’re setting your price.
• Clean the place up. Don’t make your guests stay in a pigsty. Douse your carpet in Lysol, air out the lingering smell of vomit and set fire to the putrid mound of gym clothes you’ve heaped in the corner. You probably don’t have to change the sheets yet, though. They can wait another month or two.
• Secure your valuables. Not everyone is to be trusted, not even a desperate stranger from the Internet. Place your laptop and phone in a locked container, note the serial number of any electronics and make sure your wallet is stowed away safely. You can ensure your guest will not make away with your valuables during the night by handcuffing your guest to your roommate.
• Prepare a snack. Your weary traveler is probably famished from their journey. While it isn’t mandatory, you’ll score some brownie points (and a higher host rating) if you set out some food. Whip up something fancy, like pouring a can of ravioli into a martini glass.
• Make it a good morning. The key to capping off a successful stay is seeing your guest off right. Gently wake them by forgetting a stranger is in your room, panicking, punching them with a key and calling the police. It’s the simple trick to an unforgettable visit!
